East County Ballet Conservatory
AT EXPRESSIONS
East County Ballet Conservatory's mission is to train students to be prepared for professional opportunities in a nurturing environment as they train in the technical components of ballet.
Students will gain the confidence, knowledge, and body awareness necessary for professional opportunities as they foster their love for this classical artform.
East County Ballet Conservatory
2026-27 Auditions
Auditions for the 2026-27 East County Ballet Conservatory are right around the corner and we are so excited to help your dancer take the next big step in their dance journey. We know auditions can be daunting, but we are here to help dancers conquer their fears and put their best foot forward. Below you will find everything you need to know about the East County Ballet Conservatory Auditions for the 2026-27 dance year.
Read the Digital Information Packet for more information about our 2026/27 East County Ballet Conservatory season.
Step 1: Fill out this Audition Form by June 12th, 2026
Dancers will only be allowed to audition if they submitted an audition form.
Step 2: Attend Parent Meeting
We are offering 2 parent meeting dates, please choose the one that works best for you.
Monday, June 8: 5:45-6:30 Studio 6
Wednesday, June 10: 6:30-7:15 Studio 4
Step 3: Attend In-Person Auditions
Please attend the audition according to your Ballet level for the 2026-27 dance season. Dancers will perform skills, practice variations, and perform them in small groups for our East County Ballet Conservatory instructors.
Monday, June 15: 5:45 pm - 6:30 pm
- Level 2 - Level 4 in Studio 6
Wednesday, June 17: 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm
- Level 5 - Level 7 in Studio 4
Friday, June 19: 4:15 pm -5:00 pm
- Junior 2-Level 1 in Studio 8
If you are unable to make auditions but would still like to join East County Ballet Conservatory, please fill out this audition form and email us at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Please fill out this form by Sunday, June 7th, 2026.
Step 4: Get familiar with our key dates
The East County Ballet Conservatory is a 12 month commitment. All performances and rehearsals are mandatory.
Please mark your calendar for rehearsal dates, performances, and ECBC Banquet.
Follow the link below to preview the 2026/27 ECBC season
Key dates for the 26/27 ECBC season (all dates are tentative and subject to change, and more dates will be added as we finalize dates and create additional opportunities)
Step 5: Receive your placement and sign the ECBC Contract
Being a part of our East County Ballet Conservatory is a major commitment! Our talented staff places dancers in their ECBC Variations class based on a dancer’s age, skill level, and performance quality. Class placement is final once released.
When you receive your dancer’s placement, you will also receive a contract. Please note that signing the Ballet contract is mandatory for joining ECBC.
The deadline to sign and return the contract is July 3rd.
ECBC Media Release
Pictures taken during auditions, rehearsals, performances, and photoshoots may be used to promote the East County Ballet Conservatory and Expressions Dance on our social media, community publications, or communication to dance families via email or band app.
Audition Day Expectations
Dancers will arrive at least 15 minutes before their audition time in their required ballet dress code: class leotard, tights, ballet shoes, hair pulled neatly in a bun. For short hair or textured hair, hair needs to be neatly pinned back from face. Only dancers auditioning will be allowed inside the audition room. Dancers may bring a water bottle. Dancers do not need to prepare any dance routine or combination.
ECBC Parent Meeting
All ECBC Parents will attend an in person informational meeting. During these meetings, we will go over next season expectations and the welcome packet.
Please select the date that you will attend:
ECBC Captains
If your dancer is planning to join ECBC and would like to apply to be an ECBC Captain, please have them fill out this form by June 3rd 2026:
2026/27 Required class enrollment
For those of you filling out this form BEFORE May 11, concierge enrollment will be done for you based on the level placement given on May 4. A sneak peak of the 2026/27 Class schedule will be available on May 4. You will be able to select the classes of your choice via google form. The form will be send to the email used on this form and will open on May 4th at 6:00 PM.
Ballet Requirements:
Levels 4 and up will be enrolled in both Ballet classes available. There is no choice of day.
Level 3 and below, you will be able to select 2 Ballet classes
For Jr. 2 & Jr. 3 classes, you will be able to select a minimum of 2 classes at your level, one of the classes must be ballet. You may select more than 2 classes.
Each Variation class will be assigned by Miss Katie based on audition. Dancers do not get to chose their group.
PBT requirement:
The Google form will let you select your choice of PBT class.
Additional classes:
On the Google form will have a space to select additional classes. After priority enrollment opens to the rest of the studio on May 13, space in a class cannot be guaranteed.
All enrollments will be handled in the order received.
This is a concierge service for dancers who plan to commit to ECBC for the 2026/27 dance season.
Thank you!!
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to your dancer's growth! We are so excited for next season and can't wait to help guide dancers through this amazing time.
For further questions regarding East County Ballet Conservatory please reach out to Miss Katie via email at [email protected]
You will receive a confirmation email after clicking the submit button.
Join East County Ballet Conservatory
East County Ballet Conservatory (ECBC) at Expressions is a place for dancers to receive accelerated ballet training and learn classical ballet repertoire, while they build relationships with fellow dancers.
Annual Performances:
Full Length Nutcracker in December
Spring Ballet, Cinderella, in March
Spring Gala in May/June
Expressions Recital in June
Community Performances throughout the dance year including Story Time With A Ballerina at the Santee Library and Santee Street Fair.
At Expressions, we know that everyone's dance journey is unique to their specific interests and goals. We have a variety of programs designed to help your dancer's talents and gifts develop in a nurturing and safe environment, surrounded by friends and mentors who are here to boost confidence and inspire excellence!
If your dancer is looking for more ways to serve their community, become a leader, perform more often, or lands somewhere in the middle... we're excited to see them through their own path to success!
The 2026-2027 Dance Season begins July 6, 2026, and will conclude in June 2027. Look through the list of our special programs below and check any that might interest or benefit your student! We'll send more information about the programs, any informational meetings that might be of benefit, and how/when to sign up for the program(s) of your choosing!
Audition and Application Dates:
Performing Groups
June 11 & 13
East County Ballet Conservatory
Based on Level
June 8 5:45-6:30pm Levels 2-4,
June 10 6:30-7:15pm Levels 5-7,
June 12 4:15-5:00pm Jr.2 - Level 1
Teaching Assistant Program- Application available in April
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Miss Katie
ECBC Director & Head of the Ballet Department at Expressions
Originally from Green River, Wyoming, where she received her formal dance training from her mother, Jeanine Taggart West. Katie was also trained and mentored by Mark Lanham (former principal dancer San Francisco Ballet), Andrew Baine (Oakland City Ballet), and Stephan Novakov of Ballet West. She has been involved with over 30 productions of the Nutcracker Ballet as a dancer, choreographer, and Ballet Mistress.
She began teaching dance at the age of 15 and has found teaching dance, specifically ballet, to the youth is where her true passion lies. Katie is the Head of the Ballet Department at Expressions Dance & Movement Center and the director of East County Ballet Conservatory.
Katie Henrie is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT®Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.
She has been certified to teach Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). And she has completed multiple flexibility trainings with Lisa Howell of The Ballet Blog.
Upcoming Events
June 15 - 19 - Auditions for 2026-27 Dance Year
December 2026 - Nutcracker at The Joan B. Kroc Theatre
March 2027 - Spring Ballet Performance - Sleeping Beauty at The Joan B. Kroc Theatre
Testimonials
The East County Ballet Conservatory program at Expressions challenged me to not only improve my technique but improve my quality of movement and performance quality. Throughout the year, I received lots of individualized feedback that helped me to grow as a dancer. I hope that my experience with ECBC has inspired dancers to step out of their comfort zone and try something new."
Sara S.
EDMC’s Performing Group and ECBC is a group of dancers that are more than just a dance program, they are family. Her dance family has been supportive of all of her endeavors ranging from pushing her skills as a dancer to growing her as a leader. But, PG and ECBC haven’t just been important to just my daughter, it is important to our whole family. We have made close friendships with other dance families that extended beyond the dance studio. This is a studio that is inclusive, and grows leaders who dance!
Elizabeth B.
Join Our Dance Family
New to Expressions? Create An Account or Request More Information to get started!
About
Expressions Dance & Movement Center provides dance classes for every age, skill level, and ability. Our mission is to teach exceptional dance classes in a way that nurtures every child and helps parents breathe easier, knowing that we are here to partner with them in their child's development. We strive to build a world where every child feels seen & cared for and where they are supported in discovering and developing their unique gifts.
Class Hours
Monday: 3:30pm - 8:30pm
Tuesday: 9:00am - 11:30am
3:30pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday: 9:00am - 11:30am
3:30pm - 8:30pm
Thursday: 3:30pm - 8:30pm
Friday: 3:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 12:30pm
Sunday : Closed
@ Copyright 2026 - Expressions Dance & Movement Center - All rights reserved
