Metropolitan Ballet of Tacoma

Metropolitan Ballet of Tacoma is a Dance Studio in Tacoma, WA, located at 5435 S Tacoma Way A. Founded in 1986 by Damaris Caughlan, the studio offers ballet, pointe, conditioning, and artistry classes for students of all levels. The faculty includes Caughlan, who studied in the former Soviet Union and is certified by the Minsk Choreographic School and Byelorussian Ministry of Culture, as well as Annalise Nilson, Melissa Schortgen, Joel Myers, and Liberty Knerr. MBT features two studios, live accompaniment for upper divisions, and professional instruction from guest artists representing companies such as American Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and New York City Ballet. The school holds a rating of 4.90 based on customer reviews.

Damaris Caughlan established the school after leading a program of over 250 dancers at the Metropolitan Park District, seeking to provide better equipment and the use of live music. Her teaching style incorporates the method of Philip Beamish, a pioneer in dance education. The studio emphasizes physical and spiritual development, technicality, and injury prevention through cross-training. Tuition questions are directed to the administrative team, and a sibling discount is available. Classes are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with specific times for ballet, boys classes, advanced pointe, conditioning, and rehearsal.

The studio’s alumni include professional dancers and current faculty members who return to teach. Annalise Nilson, a Pacific University graduate, teaches ballet, modern, and contemporary dance. Melissa Schortgen, who began as a student at age eight, serves as Administrative Director. Joel Myers, a former company member of Evergreen City Ballet and Spectrum Dance Theater, teaches and choreographs for the school. Liberty Knerr, a UW graduate, teaches alongside her daughter Mikayla, who is in the advanced company. The studio also hosts performances such as Portraits of Dance, The Nativity, and Spring Repertoire.

Metropolitan Ballet of Tacoma maintains a 4.90 rating from customers who have reviewed it, reflecting the positive experiences of families who value the studio’s artistic environment and technical training. The school has served the Tacoma community for more than 30 years, nurturing generations of dancers under the leadership of its founder.

Metropolitan Ballet of Tacoma brings professional ballet training and a legacy of excellence to Tacoma, supporting the artistic growth of dancers through dedicated instruction and a rich performance tradition.

The studio sits on S Tacoma Way A, just steps from South Tacoma Way and within a tenth of a mile of the South Tacoma Library and Post Office.

BizScoreAI gives the business a Performance score of 83 out of 100, meaning the website loads quickly to keep visitors engaged. It also awards an Authority score of 75 out of 100, which shows who runs the business to build trust with search engines and AI assistants.