Being a professional ballet dancer means taking class every day to stay in shape. If you are not under contract with a company or if you are in between seasons, it can be very difficult to find an adequate professional level ballet class to take. Living in Los Angeles makes it more difficult since the LA dance scene is more commercially oriented than the classical and theatrical dance scene found in New York City or even San Francisco. Fortunately, there are a few options for the professional/advanced ballet dancer when it comes to taking class in the City of Angels and one of them is Reid Olson's class. Reid Olson, former principal dancer with Los Angeles Ballet and soloist with Pacific Northwest Ballet, teaches an amazing advanced level ballet class at Dance Arts Academy in West Los Angeles. Expect to brush elbows with some top-notch professional dancers, but don't be intimidated because many non-professionals also enjoy taking class regularly with Reid. Reid is also a registered yoga instructor and teaches a yoga class on Thursday mornings at 9:30-11:00am before his 11:30am ballet class. Reid often teaches class at City Yoga in Los Angeles. Contact Reid for more information on his yoga schedule.

I vividly remember Reid substituting one of my ballet classes when I was 12 or 13 at Westside Ballet in Santa Monica. At the end of class, he singled me out to help me with a grand jete. Reid took me by my hand and thoroughly broke down the step through verbal instruction. Looking back at myself on that day in my lavender leotard, pink tights and slicked back bun I recall how intently I listened to this master. I never thought 15 years later I would be executing all the same steps I used to watch Reid do when I would peek in on him as a wide-eyed bunhead during his rehearsals with Los Angeles Ballet.

Reid's ballet classes are energetic, fun and very sweaty. Reid’s yoga classes are equally delightful. Reid begins the week with a set series of combinations that are carried through until his last Sunday class of the week. This way, the dancers know what to expect allowing them to breeze though the steps, let go mentally and dance! The combinations simply flow from one step to the next. A School of American Ballet alumnus, Reid's ballet classes are of the Balanchine style and include a live pianist. So bring your pointe shoes and get ready for some fancy footwork that's also fun!

Visit Reid's website and check out his blog for yourself.

Reid's Schedule:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

Ballet: 11:30am-1pm

Thursday: Yoga

9:30am-11:00am

Saturday: Ballet

9:30am-11am and 11:00am-12:30pm

Sunday: Ballet

10:00am-11:30am