Reviews of Idaho Falls School of Ballet (Dance School)

Cari K.

After a recent visit, I am again blown away by the quality of the Idaho Falls School of Ballet. I am so proud to be an alum. My experience with IFSB spans over 20 years, as now as a professional dancer and teacher myself, I can say with authority that the training there is outstanding. It rivals and sometimes surpasses what I've seen in much larger schools in much larger cities. The focus on correct and healthy placement for each individual's body (no dangerous forcing of tunout!) is a rare and beautiful thing. I graduated from the Idaho Falls School of Ballet with clean technique without stylistic "quirks" ready to move into professional training schools and career in ballet. Besides technique, the faculty there fosters expression, a sense of movement, athleticism, and artistry that are sometimes overlooked by schools in the pursuit of technique, but not here. The teachers also work hard to create equal opportunities for dancers shine and grow in class and on stage. The spring show is not just a "recital" but a performance with artistic and entertainment value. This gives the students a chance to work as a team for something larger than themselves, supported by staff every step of the way. My parents still attend the performance annually even though they have no children performing just because they want to enjoy the show. This school is full of beautiful young artists who are visibly thriving in the positive environment and exceptional instruction at IFSB. Most importantly, they are loving dance in the process. Idaho Falls is lucky to have such excellent dance training available locally, and I am so grateful my parents signed me up for classes here all those years ago. Thank you Idaho Falls School of Ballet, and keep up the good work!

Christian Jensen

It's always a pleasure to help out with performances the few times I have. And of course it's a pleasure to see how wonderfully they turn out every time! Deborah Bean is a great instructor and a great person, who always has her dancers' best interests at heart.

Rachel Barton

My daughter started ballet at young age at Maryland Youth Ballet near Washington DC. We then moved to Denver and she studied with the Littleton Youth Ballet. We moved to Idaho Falls and I was concerned we would not find the same level of expertise you can find in a bigger city. IFSB was the perfect fit for her - dedicated to teaching sound principles of classical ballet and on par with ballet schools in bigger cities. Deb runs her studio smoothly with a lot of structure. She loves her students and puts so much into building them up and helping them succeed.

Lee Nelson

This school is as good as it gets. My daughters took classes here for many years and attribute much of their success in ballet and other endeavors to the excellent training and discipline they learned from Mrs. Bean. Mrs. Bean is highly trained. So is her staff. She teaches at an appropriate pace and establishes an excellent learning environment for all of her students. The performances are entertaining and give students an opportunity to show their skills confidently. I remember watching my daughters’ first performance when they were very young and thinking to myself - if they keep working in class they will turn out as confident and composed as the girls who were performing in their late teens. Years later I saw this actually happen. Thank-you Mrs. Bean for all you did for my daughters. I highly recommend this school to anyone who wants to see their child succeed at ballet and life.

Theresa Flannery

The studio becomes an Aikido dojo Tues/Thurs evening for 2 hours.

Sheri Gdes

I have a young daughter interested in starting ballet. After "shopping around" I decided to go check out the Idaho Falls School of Ballet 12 Days of Christmas program. I had already seen the Nutcracker production the other ballet school did, and it was mediocre, to say the least, as well as the dancing. The 12 Days of Christmas, I found out, was an original ballet written by the Idaho Falls School of Ballet's owner & instructor, Deb Bean. I was so impressed with everything. The choreography, dancers and the lighting, the props, Everything! It was at the Civic Auditorium and it was packed! Which reassured me as well! I am definetly signing my daughter up for ballet this August, and can't wait to see her perform with such an amazing school. I have heard nothing but great things about this ballet school!

Andrea Dopp

What a wonderful studio with such a positive atmosphere for dancers to learn the art of ballet! The productions take my breath away! Stunning dancing, amazing choreography and beautiful music! I highly recommend Idaho Falls School of Ballet!

Anna C

EVERYONE, PLEASE READ JOSH DAVENPORT'S REVIEW. *EDITED FOR CHERIE BROWN AT THE BOTTOM.* My brother was very excited to try ballet. This place told him he couldn't participate because one of the girls would feel "uncomfortable" with him being there. Apparently she thinks he's obsessed with her. He is not. Due to this slander, my brother has been unrightfully denied the opportunity to do something he was very passionate about. I'm very disappointed. **Like I said in the first paragraph, he showed up because he was excited about it. If the students are at so unease because a 20 year old male wants to do ballet, I'm glad he's not there. Proves how judgemental some people can be. But, hey! Thank you for confirming the discrimination of him not being allowed because he's a young man. Also, thanks for proof of MORE SLANDER for when I report this situation :)**

Brandi Garrett

My daughter's have had a beautiful experience here at IFSB. They have been taught discipline and love of ballet. Their confidence has grown greatly with the attention Deb gives each child to correct, support, and praise. She is an incredible teacher and we feel so blessed to have her in our community.

Vicki OConnor

My granddaughters attend Idaho Falls School of Ballet. This dance studio is exceptional with extremely competent teachers. The director, Deborah Bean, runs an exceptionally classy ballet school focusing on classical ballet. We are very happy with this studio.

Riley Scott

Idaho Falls School of Ballet is outstanding. My friends daughter goes there & I have been to many of the performances. I am writing this review because I have been so impressed with what I have seen & heard about this school. Performances are amazing & show beautiful dancers that are clearly taught and trained by professionals. I have heard from students & parents of students that this is by far the best ballet school around. I look forward to each performance, not just to see who I know of dancing, but to see the entire production. If I had any children, male or female, & they showed interest in ballet, I would bring them here.

Beya Brown

I am a student at IFSB, and have been for most my life. I would never even consider attending any other schools in this region. This ballet school puts on amazing performances that I am honored to be appart of. I started ballet when I was older then most girls at the school, so I was put in a class with younger girls. I was very shy, and worried of how bad I may have looked compared to the other girls in my class. My instructor Debrah Bean was so supportive, and caring. She understood how I felt and now many years later I am proud to be at the level I am at. Deb is one of the most caring, and hard working women I know. She can be fun and easy going, but can be hard working and assertive. I know many of the girls who have graduated from this school with scholarships to amazing ballet schools and are even with a ballet company. She has multiple classes for adults, children, and even a run spin leap class for boys. She is one of the most non judgmental teaches you could have. It amazes me how talented she is, and how talented her students are. I feel like Deb has always been able to push me to do my best and try my hardest. She has always been there for me and my classmates, and i feel like she always will be. The other instructors who teach me and other students at my school are very talented as well. I am so grateful that I have been able to be appart of it of this school, and that there is such an amazing ballet school like this where I live. This is an amazing school that I would recommend to anyone, no matter what level or age you are at.

Michaela Hoffman

Amazing team to learn from ^_^

Corey Everett

IFSB does a wonderful job of bringing arts and culture to our community. The director manages to present classical French ballet seamlessly with humorous theatrics. Watching The 12 Days of Christmas was a joy! My little brother can’t wait to see the next show.

Lucas Anderson

I first met Deborah Bean and the Idaho Falls School of Ballet, two years ago, when I was invited to come and work with the school as a visiting male dancer, and as a Pas De Deux partner. Since than I've performed with the IFSB in several productions and worked with Deb , her teachers, and a number of her dancers. I can't speak highly enough of my experience with the IFSB. From the very beginning, I was welcomed by everyone, especially Deb who treated me with a kindness and professionalism you don't always see with Artistic Directors and trust me, I've met plenty! From working with her dancers in several shows I was impressed with their training/professionalism and friendliness. Ballet can be tough, but Deb has found a way to keep it fun. I was also impressed with the schools choreography. I've worked with Deb on a variety of shows and she certainly presents the classics both in terms of variations and technique. However, she also choreographs for all her shows and I have to say I've enjoyed that about as much as anything. She has a unique and beautiful style, which is also kind of a rare thing! The quality of IFSB is right up there with some of the best I've seen. The school itself primarily offers a ballet foundation but with additional classes and dance forms. The studios are large, Marleyed, with good floors, sound systems, and appropriate mirrors. From working with the studio, I can say the teachers are excellent, know their ballet, and are well rounded in a lot of different dance styles. The students range from very young, all the way to adults and en pointe pre-professional dancers. Overall IFSB offers top quality instruction, with performance opportunities. Which, in my opinion is pretty much all you could want in a ballet school. I've very much enjoyed working with Deborah Bean and the girls of IFSB.

Kattes151

RESPONDING TO THE INCORRECT CLAMS FROM CHERIE BROWN: Howdy, this is the actual 20 year old man who was very interested in ballet. I want to clear up the incorrect claims. I DID NOT frequent the establishment. I was at the location exactly ONE time. I DID NOT creep on girls through social media. I do not even know any student who is even in the school. The one time I was invited to the class, I was told specifically to watch the class. So I did. I stared at feet and arms. Oh my. Since, ya know, that is what ballet is about. It was a breathtaking experience the way the dancers were trained to actually move. I was stoked to actually be among the ranks of ballet dancers. I was told to come to the school for an adults class. I was not going because I want to creep on little girls. I wanted to actually learn how to do ballet. In the end, I realize that ballet schools will discriminate against me since I wanted to start ballet at a later age. FOR THE ACTUAL REVIEW: The experience I had with the teachers and trainers was exceptional and professional, and the one class I was invited to was elegant and graceful. They must have been trained exceptionally. If you are someone who will not be discriminated against for being a male starting at an older age, this is the school for you. The performance they put on was exceptional, any dancer would be proud to be a part of this school. Kudos to the teachers! 5 stars for the school, but only one star for the discrimination. :/ So 3 stars ain't bad. Had to edit because I forgot to proofread. Oopsies :X

Madissen Fujimoto

The dance community is so lucky to have IFSB in Idaho Falls. You are guaranteed to get a quality dance education at this studio. Perfect for the serious ballet student. They also offer adult classes with a playroom for kids which has been a godsend for me. They provide childcare for some classes which is great. I can’t recommend this studio enough!