Spring Semester Enrollment and Concert 2026
Friday, December 12, 2025
Written by
Rowan Bergen, BA

Spring 2026 Enrollment Is Open

Enrollment is officially open for the 2026 spring semester. Check out our new class offerings and packages!

🐦 Early-Bird Enrollment:
Register by Monday, December 22, and get $20 off your registration fee!

📝 Regular Enrollment Period:
We transition to our standard registration period beginning on Tuesday, December 23. 

Wizard of Oz

We are so pleased to formally announce both this spring's concert theme and that registration for spring concert participation is now open!

Some information about the production:

Follow Dorothy’s magical journey through Oz in this original Youth Ballet & Community Dance School production featuring a new piano arrangement of the beloved film score by Douglas Baker and pieces of choreography by UI Department of Dance Associate Professor of Instruction, Kristin Marrs. The performance is set to also include the Romantic ballet Pas de Quatre. Join us for an exciting event of music, movement, and storytelling for all ages.

Required Dates:

  • Auditions: Saturday, January 17, 2026 (the weekend BEFORE classes start for the spring semester)
  • Weekly Rehearsals: January 20-April 18, 2026
  • Full Cast Rehearsals: April 11 & 18, 2026
  • Daily Production/Tech Week Rehearsals at Space Place Theater: Sunday, April 19-Thursday, April 23, 2026
  • Performances:
    • Friday, April 24, 2026 – 7:00pm
    • Saturday, April 25, 2025 – 2:00pm AND 7:00pm 

Family and Friends Observation Week

This is your friendly reminder that next week, December 8-13, is not only our last week of classes for the fall 2025 semester, but it is also our Family and Friends Observation Week! Family members and friends are more than welcome to come visit Halsey Hall and sit in during classes this week. 

Please note that all family and friends, especially if they are the same age as the dancer enrolled in class, are not allowed to participate in class activities, solely observe per university regulations. 

The following classes that take place multiple times per week, your designated observation days are as follows:

Level 2A - Saturday, December 13, 2025
Level 2B - Saturday, December 13, 2025
Levels 3-5 - Review email titled "Level 3-5 Schedule: December 6-15"
**Family and friends of students are invited to observe the classes listed below during observation week.

   Monday
        Level 5 Ballet - 5:00-7:00 PM
   Tuesday 
        Level 3B/4/5 Ballet - 5:30-7:00 PM
        Level 5 Modern 7:30-8:30 PM
        Intro to Pointe/Pointe 1 - 7:00-7:30 PM
   Wednesday
        Level 3A/3B/4 Ballet - 5:00-6:30 PM
        Level 3A/3B/4 Modern - 6:30-7:10 PM
        Pointe 2 - 6:30-7:15 PM
        Pointe 1 - 7:15-8:00 PM

Upcoming Events @ Iowa City Public Library

Come join us on in Meeting Room A-C on Saturday, December 13 for the following fun-filled events:

Winter Showcase: Storybook Nutcracker at Iowa City Public Library - 1:30 PM 

Back for its second year, the University of Iowa Youth Ballet and Community Dance School brings together their Youth Ballet Ensemble and Level 2B students in a magical retelling of Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, beautifully intertwined with a reading of Jan Brett’s cherished children’s book, "The Nutcracker."

This event will be concluded with a creative dance activity geared towards children, though anyone can participate. 

Magician’s Toy Shop: An Interactive Nutcracker Event at Iowa City Public Library - 3:00 PM

Step into the magic! Join us for The Magician’s Toyshop—a ballet event featuring iconic Nutcracker characters. Designed for children and families, this enchanting occasion includes a hands-on craft activity and a chance to meet real ballet dancers from UI Youth Ballet Ensemble up close!

For more information, click here.