By Julia Rivera, Los Angeles Ballet Executive Director
For many kids, a love of ballet begins not in a studio but at home, twirling to music or watching dancers glide on stage. In Los Angeles, families have plenty of ways to discover ballet’s beauty and discipline thanks to Los Angeles Ballet (LAB), the city’s premier professional ballet company. LAB acts as a cultural bridge, making ballet accessible, inclusive and family-friendly.
Founded in 2006, Los Angeles Ballet is renowned for its classic performances such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, but also for its strong commitment to outreach and education. These values resonate with parents eager to nurture creativity and curiosity in their children.
Why Ballet Still Belongs in Childhood
In today’s fast-paced world of activities, ballet offers something different: It teaches presence, focus, discipline and sparks imagination. Lisa B., a mom from Culver City, says, “Ballet teaches children how to work hard and express themselves at the same time. There’s beauty in that balance.”
Science backs this up. Studies show dance improves emotional regulation, cognitive development and physical coordination. A 2025 study* in Frontiers in Psychology highlights how dance enhances executive functions like attention and memory, skills valuable beyond dance.
Access for All: The POP! Program
One of LAB’s most impactful initiatives is the Power of Performance (POP!) program, which provides free tickets to seniors in assisted living, veterans, children in foster care and other service support organizations throughout Los Angeles County. POP! breaks down financial barriers, often introducing ballet for the first time and sparking lifelong passion. Miguel T., a parent from East Los Angeles, shares, “When I took my 6-year-old to The Nutcracker through POP!, she was enchanted. It was like a fairy tale come to life. And because tickets were free, we brought the whole family.”
Explore more about POP! at losangelesballet.org/pop
Ballet as a Shared Family Experience
For parents, ballet is more than a show — it’s a chance to bond with their children. Watching performances, discussing stories or dancing together at home creates lasting memories. LAB’s annual The Nutcracker is a cherished tradition, offering beautiful costumes, memorable music and an engaging story that captivates children and adults alike.
A Chance To Dance Program
Through our A Chance To Dance program, Los Angeles Ballet offers community days each month open to all ages, incorporating a theme around which the day’s events are centered. Los Angeles Ballet Company dancers teach free ballet classes, alternative dance/fitness classes and lectures/demonstrations for a range of experience levels and age groups.
Check the monthly schedule at: https://www.losangelesballet.org/a-chance-to-dance
Tips for Introducing Kids to Ballet
Start with stories: Choose narrative-rich ballets like The Nutcracker or Cinderella. Children connect easily with storytelling through dance.
Pick family-friendly shows: LAB’s performances usually run under two hours and include intermissions, perfect for young audiences.
Make it interactive: Talk before and after the show. Ask what they noticed or who their favorite character was.
Encourage movement: After the performance, invite kids to dance at home. Ballet’s magic continues beyond the theater.
Final Thoughts
As parents, we seek meaningful ways to introduce children to the arts, not just as spectators but as participants in a broader cultural story. Los Angeles Ballet invites families to explore ballet with curiosity, joy and openness, not perfection. Whether nurturing a future dancer or building a new family tradition, LAB offers a timeless and timely way to connect with your child through beauty, music and movement.
Learn more about upcoming shows and family programs at https://www.losangelesballet.org or follow us on Instagram at @losangelesballet or on Facebook @LABallet.
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*Guy Cheron, Editor. Deborah A. Jehu, Judith Bek, Madeleine E. Hackney, “Editorial: Exploring effects of group and partnership dynamics in dance on mental and physical health,” Frontiers in Psychology, October 12, 2025.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1697858/full
