Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City

Founded in 1957, Kansas City Ballet holds rank amongst the top ballet institutions in the U.S. At its two locations—including one at the newly renovated Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity—the company divides its services between two divisions. On the Academy side, more than 20 instructors utilize their varied performing backgrounds to school aspiring professionals in dance, beginning with children ages 3 and up.

But you don’t have to yearn for the spotlight to tap into Kansas City Ballet’s wisdom. For recreational steppers, or those simply hoping to make trips to the grocery store more interesting by pirouetting down the aisles, the company also features a Studio division aimed at dancers of all ages and abilities. There, fitness and fun get blended into a schedule of classes that includes ballet, Zumba, yoga, jazz and more.