HOLYOKE – The Massachusetts Academy of Ballet offers classes to people of all ages and experience levels. Started by Rose Marie and Charles Flachs in 2005, the Academy has trained dancers from 3 years of age up to the adult level. According to Rose Marie Flachs, the art form is a fun and self-fulfilling form of expression.

Both Rose Marie and Charles were professional ballet dancers themselves. They came to the area to teach at Mount Holyoke College and then decided they wanted to open a studio.

“We wanted to share our knowledge of the art form and we wanted to have the opportunity to train students from a young level all the way up to the advanced level. And, really, we just have a great passion for the art form of ballet,” said Rose Marie Flachs.

The Massachusetts Academy of Ballet has a pre-ballet division for students eight and under and a regular ballet division for those ages nine and up. Flachs said that there is no age limit at the Academy and they have students as old as 75.

Students at the Academy are required to take at least two classes a week and advanced students take up to six classes a week. Students compete in different ballet competitions and have the opportunity to win awards, go onto professional dance careers or even study the art of dance in college.

Flachs said that the Academy also has a non-profit entity. They partner with different non-profits in Holyoke such as the Wistariahurst Museum, Kate’s Kitchen and the Victory Theater.

“It’s always been important to us that the students are involved in the community and give back to the community as well as studying ballet,” said Flachs.

The Academy also offers several scholarships to students in need.

“Anyone who really wants to take ballet and study ballet, we work really hard with that person coordinating and collaborating with them so they can study at the school,” she said.

During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Academy was forced to close their doors and take their classes virtual. Flachs said that, with the help of parent volunteers, the Academy was able to come up with a way to host in-person classes by Sept. 2020.

They had limited class sizes, air purifiers, mask requirements and asked those who were sick to not come to the studio.

“We were able to stay open during COVID-19 by following protocols and making sure everybody worked together,” she said. “For some students, it was the only in-person activity they were doing because their schooling was online.”

With the pandemic, the Academy was unable to host their usual ballet performances. Flachs said that instead they filmed some of the dances and shared them with families.

This year, the Academy is hoping to host performances.

“We’re planning on it, but we haven’t confirmed because I feel like we have to stay flexible in this time of the pandemic,” said Flachs. “As you know, COVID-19’s been hard for the arts. From Broadway to the performing arts.”

The Academy offers rolling admission and interested participants can sign up at any time. Flachs said that those who would like to sign up or learn more about the Academy can call 536-6200 or visit their website at https://www.massacademyofballet.com/.

She encourages people to give ballet a try as it is a great form of expression. She said that, over the years, the Academy has helped shape and produce many successful dancers and offers excellent training.

“The arts are really important in actually giving us and every student a means of expression. Outside of the screens and the internet. It’s an in-person, fully three dimensional means of expression,” she said. “People come to our studio because they want really excellent ballet training. Because we’ve been open for over 15 years, they’ve seen where our students have gone and how they’ve developed.”