Ballet West Academy Is Growing

THANKSGIVING POINT CAMPUS MOVING TO PLEASANT GROVE TO CONTINUE BARLOW ARTS CONSERVATORY LEGACY 

SALT LAKE CITY – The Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy is growing and expanding into a new location. Barlow Arts Conservatory Owner Jenny Barlow has announced her retirement and the studio, located at 564 West 700 South in Pleasant Grove, will soon be home to Ballet West Academy – Utah County.

“After running the studio for 16 years and teaching for 29 years, I have decided to retire, and in doing so, am happy to announce that I am placing my students in the best hands possible with Ballet West Academy,” said Barlow.

“In fact, one of our Barlow Arts Conservatory alumni, Rylee Ann Rogers, is a current artist at Ballet West,” she continued. “We are thrilled for the new and exciting opportunity that will come to our student body by the association and training that will come with them being a part of the Ballet West Academy.”

The Ballet West Board of Directors unanimously approved the acquisition during their regularly-scheduled board meeting on Nov. 17. Ballet West Academy – Thanksgiving Point will relocate to the Barlow Arts Conservatory location at the beginning of January 2023.

Ballet West Academy Thanksgiving Point Principal, Heather Thackeray, has known Barlow since 1985 when they were cast as Cranes in The Monkey King at the University of Utah. They grew up dancing together in Ballet West’s The Nutcracker and were in the same class at Ballet West Academy, then known as Ballet West Conservatory, with classes led by Willam Christensen, founder of Ballet West.

“I’m really pleased and thrilled that I get to continue Jenny Barlow’s legacy, as well as share everything that Ballet West has to offer,” said Thackeray.

As a young dancer, Barlow watched ballet performances on PBS and one of her childhood idols was Evelyn Cisneros-Legate.

“The fact that [Cisneros-Legate] is now the Director of the Ballet West Academy is wonderful and gives me so much confidence and comfort to know that she will be leading the students of Barlow Arts Conservatory, along with Heather Thackeray, to provide so many amazing opportunities for them in the future.”

Ballet West Academy is the official school of Ballet West. Pre-professional students are given the unique opportunity to be observed regularly and take classes with Ballet West Artistic Director, Adam Sklute, and be considered for future positions with Ballet West. Avocational students build strength, coordination and confidence through focused and top-level dance education. Classes are available at four locations including: Salt Lake City, Trolley Corners, Park City, and now Utah County.

“Ballet West will be celebrating their 60^th anniversary next year and is such an amazing opportunity for students to watch professional ballet dancers as they are embarking on their training,” said Cisneros-Legate. “We are so excited to be expanding our student base in Utah County and we welcome the Barlow students into our family where they can continue to follow the Barlow legacy.”