Strength • Optimization • Agility • Response
Elevate your dance performance with this specialized training series led by the renowned Health & Wellness Team of Houston Ballet. Designed for dancers ages 14+ seeking to improve their physical foundation, the S.O.A.R. Series focuses on building strength, enhancing mobility, refining balance, and increasing overall agility and responsiveness.
Dancers can choose to register for the full series for comprehensive training or join individual workshops to focus on specific areas of need.
Workshop cost is $50 each, or sign up for all five for a discounted price of $230!
Strengthen & Center! GYROTONIC® with Beth Everitt
Sunday, October 19, 2025 | 1:00-2:30 PM
This full-body workout is designed to build muscle balance and improve overall alignment. Each exercise targets complementary muscle pairs, enhancing both strength and stability.
Peak Performance! with Carey Pickens
Sunday, January 4, 2026 | 1:00-2:30 PM
Soar into the new year with a program to condition and sustain peak performance! This class focuses on developing strength, agility, mobility, and balance—the key components to help you move better, feel stronger, and stay resilient.
Spring into Action! with Carey Pickens
Sunday, March 8, 2026 | 1:00-2:30 PM
Get ready to jump, twist, and turn in this high-intensity class designed to push your physical limits. Challenge your agility and unleash your power as the S.O.A.R. team guides you through dynamic movement patterns that will elevate your dance skills and have you flying toward your full potential!
Renew & Refresh! with Aki Kawasaki
Sunday, March 22, 2026 | 1:00-2:30 PM
Dancers thrive on strength and stamina—but recovery is essential for growth. This class teaches Yamuna Body Rolling, a self-care method that releases tension, restores alignment, and improves mobility. Support your long-term health with techniques that refresh the body and prevent injury.
Fitness on the Go! A Pilates Class with Monica Bondi
Sunday, June 7, 2026 | 1:00-2:30 PM
Maintain strength, mobility, and balance with this workshop that blends ballet knowledge with targeted Pilates techniques. Improve alignment, lengthen muscles, and build lasting strength with exercises you can implement into you ballet conditioning program at home or anywhere!
Meet the Instructors
Beth Everitt
Beth is currently the Associate Director of Programs and Productions at Houston Ballet Academy. After sustaining many injuries throughout her career as a professional ballet dancer, she discovered GYROTONIC® and became a certified instructor in 2010.
Aki Kawasaki
Aki previously served as a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach for Olympic athletes on the national team of Japan. He is currently the head strength and conditioning coach at Houston Ballet and Houston Ballet Academy.
Monica Bondi
Monica Bondi is a former dancer who fuses her knowledge of the art form with a specialized Pilates approach to help her students achieve length and strength. In addition to being part of the Health and Wellness team at Houston Ballet Academy, Monica is also the Founder of Bird on a Perch Pilates.
Carey Pickens
A former classical dancer, Carey Pickens currently teaches Pilates, Conditioning, and Adult Ballet for the Houston Ballet Academy. Carey is also the Founder of DanceProof, a Dance Science Consultancy where she works one-on-one with dancers, to prevent injury and enhance their physiological and technical performance.