Opus Dance Studio, Inc. dba  

The home of Ashland Regional Ballet    

A great place for beginners to take their first steps!

 Classes in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern Dance

  Download:  A Guide For Parents  |  Summer Registration Brochure   |  Fall Registration Brochure

WE specialize in one thing!

DANCE!

And WE do it right! 

 Founder/Director - Hellie Schussler

Studio Manager - Curt Schussler

Receptionist - Tina Starnes

 Faculty

Sarah Cyders

Jennifer Doyle

Hellie Schussler

See biographical information on our Company page 

From The Director

Opus II Dance Studio was founded in 1982, and in 1989 Ashland Regional Ballet grew out of that seed.

Teaching dance as a performing art has always been at the heart of our mission.

 As the twig is bent – so grows the tree.

The foundational years of a student’s training are the most important. The Opus curriculum provides a solid foundation

for the development of full potentials, and provides skills that last a lifetime.

If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right!

Few of the students who undertake dance training will become professional dancers, and few parents will have that aspiration for their child.

But that is no reason to minimize the importance of the study. After all dance education is just that – EDUCATION - and should be thought of

as any other form of learning.

 In fact many children learn to play sports without intending to become professional athletes, but you still expect good coaching.

They study music without the expectation of a professional career, yet you expect them to learn the basics of music theory.

If your child does not wish to become a scientist you still insist on an accurate education in this and all other academic subjects.

You should insist on no less for your child’s study of dance!

Hellie Schussler

Founder/Director Opus II Dance Studio

The Opus School Year

Fall Semester

• Begins early in September … ends mid-December. This is the best time to enroll beginning dancers.
• All new classes form in this semester.

Winter Mini-Mester

• January through mid-February - For Intermediate and Advanced dancers.
• No pre-registration necessary - Drop in as you wish.

Spring Semester

• Begins mid-February … ends late May.
• Continues the work of the fall semester. Transfer students may be accepted after placement class.

Summer Semester

• July - a more intensive training program for Intermediate and Advanced dancers 

Best Times To Enroll

July - Enrollment for the new school year begins.

November - Re-enrollment for Spring Semester begins.

April - Enrollment for Summer Semester begins.

Opus Performance Opportunities

See our Performance page on this website. 

Audition for The Nutcracker - Typically on a Sunday afternoon in mid September. Auditioning dancers should be Ballet Level 2 or older.

Choreography Showcase - A presentation of Opus II Dance Studio - early October - Opus students explore the craft of choreography.

The Nutcracker - A presentation of Ashland Regional Ballet.

Winter-Into-Spring Performances - A presentation of Ashland Regional Ballet.

Spring Dance Concert - A collaboration between Opus II, Ashland Regional Ballet and Ashland University - provides an opportunity

for the entire Opus II student body to show what they have learned during the school year.

Concert in the Park - Brookside Park in Ashland - August - A collaboration between Opus II and Ashland Regional Ballet 

RECOMMENDED AGES TO BEGIN OPUS CLASSES

Ballet Preparation 1^st & 2^nd grades

Ballet 1 & Tap 1 3^rd grade or older

The above ages are suggested guidelines. Jazz, Modern Dance & Pointe classes become available as students progress through the Opus curriculum.

If you would like to visit our studio please contact us for an appointment.  We would welcome your visit.

If you know a child who would enjoy dancing at Opus please share this information. Thanks!