At SLC Ballet, every plié is an invitation to play, imagine, and grow. “From the beginning, my mission has been to offer strong ballet training—whether students want to dance for fun or pursue it professionally,” says founder Teruyo Davis. “We stay true to the basics, because that’s what creates a future audience and patrons of the arts.”
Davis is on a mission to preserve the beauty of classical ballet in a world that moves faster than ever. “Ballet teaches patience, discipline, and delayed gratification,” she explains. “You don’t get rewarded right away, but when you do, it’s deeply fulfilling.”
For the youngest dancers—some as young as four—the experience starts with play. “We make imaginary pizza during stretching,” she laughs. “They get to pick the toppings, and sometimes the pizza flies away or turns into a birthday cake. It keeps us all young.”
Creativity is at the heart of their teaching. “Kids are naturally creative. We just give them a little structure or inspiration, and let them explore,” says Davis. Teachers encourage storytelling, imaginative movement, and emotional expression through dance, helping kids process feelings they may not yet have words for.
Katheryn Nattress, a teacher and parent at the studio, has seen firsthand how this philosophy can transform lives. Her daughter Emma began dancing at SLC Ballet at age four, too shy to move in class. “She wanted to dance so badly, but was completely frozen,” Nattress recalls. “I was literally moving her arms for her.” Today, at 15, Emma has danced lead roles, won awards, and received scholarship offers from top ballet schools across the country. “She’s confident, self-directed, and completely in love with dancing.”
But it’s not just the technical training that makes the difference—it’s the sense of belonging. “When you do something hard together, it bonds you,” says Nattress. “Some of my daughter’s closest friendships have come from dancing. The dancers support one another and grow together.” That sense of connection spans generations, with entire families sharing the stage in studio productions. “There’s nowhere else I know where a parent and child can perform together,” she adds. “It’s incredibly special.”
The impact reaches far beyond the studio. Dancers learn how to lead, listen, adapt, and persevere—skills that carry into school, relationships, and life. “You can see it,” says Nattress. “They grow into strong, expressive humans.”
SLC Ballet’s commitment to inclusivity and professionalism shines in every performance. Their most recent show featured 115. “Our shows are professional-level experiences,” says Davis. “The stage becomes a magical space where dancers of all ages come alive.”
And once a dancer steps on stage, something special happens. “We call it catching the ballet bug,” Davis smiles. “It’s that moment when the lights hit, the music swells, and a child realizes—this is where I belong. Even if they leave for a while, the bug always brings them back.”
At its core, SLC Ballet is about connection. “Arts make us human,” Davis says. “Ballet is a universal language. It’s how we connect, express, and transform. And it all starts with a little curiosity—and a plié.”That commitment to artistry, inclusivity, and community recently earned SLC Ballet the honor of being named Millcreek’s September Business of the Month.
“We call it catching the ballet bug. It’s that moment when the lights hit, the music swells, and a child realizes—this is where I belong. Even if they leave for a while, the bug always brings them back.”