Denton Ballet Academy is a ballet Academy in Denton.  Below is stuff that they have written about themselves.

Our Philosophy

Welcome to the Denton Ballet Academy. We offer beginning through advanced classes in Russian classical ballet and character dance for children through adults. Quality teaching pays close attention to your child’s artistic development; however, your child’s health, safety, and physical/emotional well-being are of equal importance. At the Denton Ballet Academy, we endeavor to help each student enjoy and treasure the hours devoted to dance training, encouraging him or her to love dance for the sheer pleasure and sense of artistic fulfillment, rather than only for a sense of technical accomplishment. We strive to provide a positive environment while giving our students the individualized guidance and attention to which they are entitled.

What can ballet do for my child?

Every child benefits from quality dance training, even though he or she may ultimately choose another career path. In ballet, children develop creative thinking skills and the ability to push themselves to higher achievements. They learn an immense amount about music and rhythm and are introduced to the French language. They encounter spatial relationships and must learn to think with both sides of the brain while learning to dance. Self-confidence and self-esteem continue to develop as children conquer new movements and grow more certain of their ability to apply themselves, work hard, and master any task put before them. Growing through this artistic process instills the values of commitment, respect, hard work, discipline, and artistry in the life of a young person.

But….why Russian ballet?

Founded in St. Petersburg in 1738, the Russian classical style of ballet is a rich and enduring tradition, unsurpassed in its precision, strength, lyricism, and focus on whole body expression. The grace and fluidity of upper body movement are unequalled in the dance world. Over the years, Russian trained dancers and choreographers have dominated the world of ballet. It would be impossible to recognize all prominent dancers of the Russian classical tradition, but many are instantly recognizable: Pavlova, Nijinsky, Ulanova, Nureyev, Baryshnikov, and Marakova – to name only a few. The Russian-trained choreographers Petipa and Ivanov collaborated with Tchaikovsky to create the beloved classical ballets Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. The legendary choreographer George Balanchine received his ballet training in Russia.

Each year, the Vaganova Academy chooses a small number of select students for training to carry on its tradition of excellence. Eldar and Lilia Valiev, co-owners and directors of Denton Ballet Academy, were chosen to attend this prestigious academy at the ages of 11 and 10, respectively. After graduating from the Vaganova Academy in 1979, they performed leading roles in classical ballets on stages across Europe and Iceland. The Valievs are excited to share this wonderful tradition of excellence with Denton Ballet Academy and your children!

About the founder: Hugh Nini founded The Denton Ballet Academy in 1979. He credits his favorite teachers, Arnold Spohr and David Moroni of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, with his foundational training and understanding of the art of classical ballet. While a scholarship student at the Banff Centre for Fine Arts, he was invited to join the Professional Division of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet by the Artistic Director of that company, Arnold Spohr. Though his training and professional career were interrupted early on by a debilitating automobile accident, Mr. Nini was later able to do limited performing with regional ballet companies in the Southwest. In 1979 he founded the Denton Civic Ballet, and by the end of his eight-year term as its Artistic Director, had choreographed over 30 ballets. This includes his original full length three-act version of the Hans Christian Anderson short story, "The Snow Queen". Under his directorship, the Denton Civic Ballet was accepted into the National Association for Regional Ballet.

In 1988 Mr. Nini charted a new direction to pursue a more ambitious dream which is now called The Festival Ballet of North Central Texas. Now in his twenty-third year as the Artistic Director of The Festival Ballet of North Central Texas, Mr. Nini has established it as a ballet company with a reputation for excellence and consistency. Mr. Nini is the 2010 recipient of the Greater Denton Arts Council CARA award.