The afternoon of Friday, July 12 was a grand jeté of success as a group of Stillwater fourth, fifth and sixth graders ventured to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) to watch a series of performances by the New York City Ballet. From plies to pirouettes, students were captivated by the dancers’ graceful movements as they performed pieces from Swan Lake, Scenes from Coppelia, the Steadfast Tin Soldier and Stars and Stripes.

Admission was free for students as part of SPAC’s “Classical Kids” program, which introduces various classical art forms to children by bringing professional dancers and musicians into schools.

Stillwater Elementary students first learned about ballet in Rachael O’Neill’s music classes last year, which included a visit from the New York City Ballet in February 2024. The interactive assembly provided third, fourth and fifth graders the opportunity to meet ballet professionals, gain valuable insight into the art form, and discover the beauty of storytelling through the dance’s elegant movements. At the end of the assembly, students signed up for two free amphitheater tickets to see the ballet company perform over the summer.

To further pique students’ interest in classical music and dance, “Classical Kids” provided Stillwater Elementary students that participated in the February assembly and attended the July 12 performance with a free SPAC lawn pass. The pass included two lawn tickets to any classical performance for each student until their projected high school graduation date. It also gives students the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in classical culture, experience new art forms and value the diverse stories told through elegant artistry, fostering a lifelong appreciation of the arts.