The Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy (BWA) has partnered with Utah Valley University‘s (UVU) School of the Arts to provide students the opportunity to earn college credit for their professional-level training at the Academy. This program represents one of the first collaborations of its kind in the region, allowing pre-professional ballet students to pursue higher education while continuing their rigorous dance training, eliminating the traditional choice between academic advancement and artistic development.
“We want to provide options for students to advance their educational pursuits while continuing training at BWA,” said Sarah Taylor, Ballet West Academy Director of Business Operations. “In the past, dancers often had to pick one direction or another, but in working with UVU there is a true joint path for BWA students.”
Students who meet specific requirements and participate in a streamlined evaluation process can earn college credit for their instruction and performance experience at the Academy through Utah’s Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program. This credit can be applied toward an Associate of Dance degree, creating a pathway to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at UVU.
The partnership recognizes the professional-caliber instruction students receive at Ballet West Academy, one of the nation’s premier ballet training institutions. Students will have access to personalized support from UVU’s Dean’s Office for the School of the Arts, including individualized review sessions to create a customized path toward their degree.
“UVU is celebrating and acknowledging the amount of high-level work that our students are already doing in the studio,” Taylor explained. “We appreciate having a partner that celebrates our expert instruction and curriculum and is offering Credits for Prior Learning that can help fast track a degree.”
Evelyn Cisneros-Legate, Ballet West Academy Director, emphasized the long-term value of this educational opportunity: “No matter what a student’s future holds, professional dancers can’t dance forever and there will come a time to retrain for a different career. Planning in advance is wise.”
“This partnership is a milestone in arts education and workforce development,” said Courtney Davis, dean of the School of the Arts at UVU. “By acknowledging the professional-level training students receive at Ballet West Academy, we’re not only supporting their academic and career goals — we’re creating a model for how institutions can honor the full spectrum of student achievement.”
The ballet pathway, launching Fall 2025, aligns with the Utah System of Higher Education’s mission to improve access, equity, and college completion by recognizing diverse forms of learning. Advanced students who participate in Ballet West Academy’s upper levels—including those in the Professional Training Division, upper-level classes, and Trainee programs—are eligible to take a challenge exam through UVU’s Credit for Prior Learning Pathway.
