Metropolitan Ballet of Tacoma

Metropolitan Ballet of Tacoma is a dance studio in Lakewood, WA, located at 5435 S Tacoma Way A. It holds a 4.90 rating based on customer reviews.

Founded in 1986 by Damaris Caughlan, the studio has flourished in its neighborhood for more than 30 years. Caughlan previously taught with the Metropolitan Park District, serving as head of the dance department where her program grew to over 250 dancers. She opened her own school to address limitations with equipment, politics, and the inability to use live music. Caughlan studied in the former Soviet Union and is certified by the Minsk Choreographic School and Byelorussian Ministry of Culture. She incorporates the method of the late Philip Beamish, a pioneer in dance, into her syllabus. Additionally, she is certified as a Progressing Ballet Technique instructor.

The studio is led by Artistic Director Damaris Caughlan, who works as a teacher, director, and choreographer. Annalise Nilson serves as Assistant Director and Director of Lower School Division. An MBT alumna who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Pacific University, Nilson trained in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, choreography, and improvisation. She is also a member of Corpo, a professional dance company that produces edgy, diverse, and beautiful performances for the local art scene. Corpo’s third season was presented on June 26 and 27 at 7:00 PM at Stadium High School.

Melissa Schortgen is the Administrative Director. An MBT alumna who began ballet at age 8 and advanced to the company level, she has served as a class assistant, instructor, choreographer, and office assistant. She works as a paraeducator at her local school.

Metropolitan Ballet of Tacoma is fiscally sponsored by Shunpike. The studio hosted The Nativity Ballet, supported by sponsors including At Your Service Plumbing, ST Glass & Window Specialists, Marzano’s, Howdy Bagel, Worship 24/7, Carol Munsey LMT, Tony & Leonor Brooks, and Susan & Dennis McClung. Summer open classes start on Monday, June 29. Contact information includes (253) 472-5359 and [email protected].

The studio is situated on S Tacoma Way A in Lakewood, WA, just steps from South Tacoma Way. It is located near the South Tacoma Library and the South Tacoma Post Office, both about a tenth of a mile away.

BizScoreAI gives Metropolitan Ballet of Tacoma a Performance score of 90 out of 100. This high rating reflects fast website loading times that keep visitors engaged and help with search engine rankings. The business also holds an Authority score of 75 out of 100, which signals to AI assistants and search engines that the site clearly identifies the people behind the business.