School Director
Position Overview
St. Paul Ballet seeks a School Director to lead the artistic, educational, and operational direction of the St. Paul Ballet School. The School Director oversees curriculum development, faculty leadership, student training, and school productions while fostering a healthy and collaborative school culture. The School Director reports to the Board of Directors (Board Chair) and works closely with the Executive Director, faculty, staff, students, and families to support the mission and continued growth of the school. This position is currently structured as full-time exempt role of approximately 40 hours per week. The salary range is $60,000 to $65,000. Start date is negotiable but July 1, 2026, is preferred. Work location is hybrid (generally 50% in person, Saint Paul, MN; 50% remote).
Download full position description here.
Background of SPB
St. Paul Ballet (SPB) is a nonprofit organization whose vision is to lift the human spirit through the art of ballet. This is done through performing a vibrant repertory with a passion for the highest level of excellence, providing the finest dance education, and reducing barriers to involvement in the art of dance.
Founded in 1998, SPB is a performing arts producer and community arts school. St. Paul Ballet has established a reputation for artistic excellence in dance performance, education and outreach for all levels of dance experience, and innovation in utilizing an artist-led model for dance companies. To learn more about SPB please visit spballet.org.
How to Apply
Please email cover letter, resume and three references to: careers@spballet.org Attn: Search Committee. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority deadline June 10. Final deadline June 17.
The selection process will include Zoom interviews; reference checking; and semi-finalist and finalist in-person interviews.
Location
655 Fairview Avenue N., St. Paul, Suite 170D, St Paul, MN 55104 (in the Fairview Business Center just 3 blocks north of the University/Fairview Ave. Greenline LRT station) Phone: 651-690-1588
Saint Paul Ballet is a 501(c)(3) organization.
St. Paul Ballet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at St. Paul Ballet are based upon one’s qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Front Desk Admin / Check-in
Job Summary
SPB is looking for candidates who work well with the dedicated, mindful, and supportive environment at St. Paul Ballet. A successful candidate will be punctual, personable, and able to work in a fast-paced environment while keeping a calm and professional demeanor.
Position is part-time with hourly pay. 1 or more shifts per week, Monday-Saturday, to be determined based on current schedule and availability.
Background of SPB
St. Paul Ballet (SPB) is a nonprofit organization whose vision is to lift the human spirit through the art of ballet. This is done through performing a vibrant repertory with a passion for the highest level of excellence, providing the finest dance education, and reducing barriers to involvement in the art of dance.
Founded in 1998, SPB is a performing arts producer and community arts school. St. Paul Ballet has established a reputation for artistic excellence in dance performance, education and outreach for all levels of dance experience, and innovation in utilizing an artist-led model for dance companies. To learn more about SPB please visit spballet.org.
How to Apply
Email resume and cover letter to: spb@spballet.org Attn: Deneira. You may call and leave a message for Deneira at 651-690-1588. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Location
655 Fairview Avenue N., St. Paul (in the Fairview Business Center just 3 blocks north of the University/Fairview Ave. Greenline LRT station) Phone: 651-690-1588
Saint Paul Ballet is a 501(c)(3) organization.
St. Paul Ballet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at St. Paul Ballet are based upon one’s qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Job Responsibilities
Check-in
- Welcome, orient, and maintain positive relations with parents, students, visitors and guests. Maintain positive relations with neighbors and represent SPB to the community.
- Handle phone calls, emails and other requests from parents and students, corresponding on their behalf as needed. Assisting with programming inquiries, answering phones and returning calls, troubleshooting visitor requests and answering general emails or forwarding to the School Director.
- Provide referrals to the School Director for placement, scholarships and other specialized information.
- Sign-in students and check attendance for classes, workshops and events, upholding SPB’s high standard of customer service.
- Ensure the front desk is organized and that all printed materials are properly stocked, keeping inventory of anything that maybe needed.
Studio / Facility
- Perform oversight of studio preparedness for classes including unlocking, making sure rooms are neat, lights are on, retrieving lost and found items, trash cans are not full.
- Assist with daytime and evening operations and facilities needs, keeping open line of communication with teachers (climate control, sound system, accessories, keys, etc.).
Qualifications
A successful candidate will have the following qualities:
- Passion for arts and interest in working for a non-profit organization.
- Promptness, reliability, sound judgment, and excellent attendance are essential.
- Courteous manner, with strong interpersonal, customer service and phone skills.
- Interest in working with our community (children, adults).
- Self-directed, organized and an impeccable attention to detail.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office preferable. Eagerness to learn studio software.
- Resourceful, creative, and adaptive problem solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Able to maintain confidentiality of information.
Requirements/Other
- High School diploma, equivalent education or experience. Customer service experience helpful.
Compensation
Salary is hourly. Part-Time Position. FICA and WC included. Free Adult-Teen classes.
How to Apply
Email resume and cover letter to: dperry@spballet.org Attn: Deneira Perry. You may call and leave a message for Deneira at 651-690-1588. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
About St. Paul Ballet
Today’s dancer can do more than ever and choreographers are embracing the new fluid boundaries of ballet. Whatever 21st century ballet becomes you can be sure it will be deep and wide and rich as it always has been and St. Paul Ballet wants to be part of its evolution. As we extend our movement vocabulary we hope to stir our souls and articulate the resplendent as well as the relevant.
We are in our tenth year of collaboration with other arts and movement organizations which has been one of the most enriching and rewarding relationships we could have hoped for. Our community extends beyond our studio doors to embrace a shared vision for uniting community around inspiration, movement, health, hopes and dreams. The things that make communities thrive and make us all stronger, more creative and vibrant.
We strive to create a nurturing environment in which the student’s individual development is supported. The pre-professional program provides students with exceptional clarity and strength while encouraging a life-long love of dance and healthy body image. Live accompaniment, enrichment in modern and character dance along with promotion of health and well-being complete the training.
Students enrolled in the pre-professional program build the foundation for college-level programs, conservatory or a professional career. Over 80 students each year are trained in the progressive curriculum augmented by modern dance and other genres to create the well-rounded dancer. The training is divided into levels appropriate to the age, maturity and dance expertise of each student. Auditions are required for placement and progressive advancement is based on strength, physical development and mastery.
There is no substitute for actively participating in art. We have found that a welcoming, non judgmental atmosphere is the most critical factor in participation. St. Paul ballet celebrates inclusiveness and values all body types.
The recreational program at the School of SPB serves an additional 200 students from the youngest at 2-1/2 along with their parents to those 55 or better trying dance for the first time. These classes are held in convenient multi-week sessions and on a drop-in basis with class cards at very affordable rates.
Other barriers to participation include location (transportation) and cost. At St. Paul Ballet we have the good fortune of residing just three blocks off the Greenline LRT in St. Paul. Each year, we give several thousand dollars in scholarships and we always offer the first class free.
SPB also serves the broader population of St. Paul and Minneapolis through:
• Saint Paul Public Schools Community Education
• Open rehearsals and showings
• Pay-As-Able tickets to all performances
Saint Paul Ballet is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Board of Directors
- Nikki Bjornrud, Chair, MN Office of the State Auditor nbjornrud@spballet.org
- Amber Genetzky, Co-Secretary, Chiropractor, and Diplomate of the Neurology Board, SMSC Wellness Center agenetsky@spballet.org
- Katherine Kreiser, Co-Secretary, Business Development Director, Covance kkreiser@spballet.org
- Anna Maury, Treasurer, Senior Manager, Product Strategy and Deployment at Siemen’s amaury@spballet.org
- Greg Kryzer, Interim County Administrator at Wright County, Minnesota gkryzer@spballet.org
- Ann Hoang-Tienor, MD, Hennepin Healthcare atienor@spballet.org
Interim School Director
Elayna Waxse ewaxse@spballet.org
Executive Director
Lori Gleason lgleason@spballet.org
Directors Emeritus
Brianne Bland
Sarah Leismer
Christina Onusko
David Trayers
Cathy Gustafson
Marla Murphy-Guddal
History
Saint Paul Ballet (SPB) sprung from the melding of St. Anthony School of Dance with the St. Anthony Performing Arts Guild in the historic Grand Avenue “studios above the hardware store” where ballet has been taught for over 60 years. The non-profit was originally established in 1998 and in 2013, SPB was restructured with teaching artists as employees and grew exponentially. In 2014, SPB moved to it’s current location at 655 Fairview Avenue N. and in 2019, expanded to three-studios in 5,000 square feet to better serve the community. SPB has always maintained a school with a pre-professional program and avocational classes. Performances feature the students and incorporate professional musicians, actors and other dance community partners to lift the human spirit!