Tutu School launches advisory council to reimagine ballet

Tutu School, an international franchisor of children’s ballet studios, Tuesday announced the official launch of its Pirouette Council, an advisory initiative focused on using dance to promote confidence, belonging, and wellbeing. The Council draws on the expertise of a team of leaders with diverse backgrounds spanning ballet, wellness, nutrition, and advocacy with a shared goal of improving the ballet experience for young dancers.

“Every day, thousands of children take their first ballet class with us. That is an extraordinary responsibility,” said Genevieve Custer Weeks, Founder and CEO of Tutu School. “The Pirouette Council is how we make sure we are living up to it, by bringing together voices who can help us build a ballet world that is healthier and more welcoming for every child who walks through our doors.”

Tutu School opened the doors of its first studio in 2008 and currently commands a network of more than 125 locations across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The brand began franchising in 2013 to help spread its signature approach to sparking creativity and joy in young dancers through high-quality ballet education and thoughtfully trained teachers.

Advisory council members

The Pirouette Council is launching as a five-person advisory team, with one seat held by Tutu School founder Custer Weeks. Each member brings a unique perspective that’s focused on driving change and inspiring the next generation of dancers.

Takiyah Wallace is the founder of Brown Girls Do Ballet, an organization that promotes diversity in the arts through mentorship, community programs, and scholarships. Megan Fairchild is a former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and the author of The Ballerina Mindset. Monika Saigal is a nutritionist and expert on the intersection of dance and wellness who has worked with a variety of ballet companies including San Francisco Ballet and Julliard.

Jacquie Robison is the founder of WAWOS (We’re All Working On Something), a nonprofit focused on shifting perceptions of disability by creating meaningful opportunities for accessible participation.

Industry wide impact

The Pirouette Council is designed to address the growing industry-wide call for dance to increase accessibility and promote positive approaches that help all dancers thrive. In its Tuesday statement, Tutu School expressed it believes itself to be the ideal brand and franchise system to help drive that work forward.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that dancers enter a ballet world that is healthy, inclusive and supportive. Regardless of their future dance goals, every dancer — and every teacher who nurtures them — deserves a culture rooted in care, kindness and well-being,” said Saigal.