I have been at Northwest Ballet Academy for three years. I feel as though I have not only improved as a dancer but as a person. My dancing has improved immensely since coming here because I am continuously being pushed and encouraged by the teachers. Everyone at Northwest Ballet is so passionate about dance, and you can really see it in the performances. Instead of doing recitals we perform full length ballets which I find to be a wonderful opportunity. If you would like to learn dance or improve your dancing, this is the place to do so!

Its a pleasure to dance at Northwest ballet! Everyone is so encouraging and helpful. The teachers are professional as well as caring and supporting. Since dancing at Northwest ballet, I have gained so much confidence in my dancing, and have gotten much more technique and skill by learning from the wonderful teachers. This place is really great!

This is the only dance school in Northwest Washington for the serious ballet dancer. The academy offers professional training and performance opportunities from a former ballet dancer. My husband and I have been delighted with the experience we have had for our daughter.

I have only danced with northwest ballet for three years, and Ive seen such an improvement in my technique! John bishop is an experienced instructor, and he always gives unique and helpful corrections and combinations to continue and strength us and better our technique. The studio itself has one of, if not the biggest studio in Bellingham, larger than the mount baker stage, which is great for rehearsal and combinations. The shows John puts on are also so professional and fun, and it seems as though everyone enjoys rehearsing for them. We always have beautiful costumes, with at least a few new ones for each show, and professional tutus. I really enjoy dancing at this studio, and if you love ballet like me, this is the place for you if you want to take your ballet to the next level.

As an former student of Northwest Ballet Academy and Theater, I feel the need to share my experiences to inform people of the many problems associated with this establishment; some of which became apparent only after attending the school for some time, and were hidden at the time of enrollment.First, nearly all of the classes (at least at the Bellingham Studio) are taught by the Artistic Director, John Bishop. He makes many dubious claims about his fictitious professional career, some of which I have falsified through extensive research with the New York City Public Librarys dance archives (such as his dancing for American Ballet Theatre and with Mikhail Baryshnikov.) Thus, he lacks the formal training necessary to properly teach the art of ballet. This is reflected in the fact that he makes few constructive corrections in class, which explains the prevalence of incorrect technique and unsafe movements among even his most senior dancers. The focus of his academy is to teach just enough ballet to put the dancers on the stage for his shows.The aged facilities (studio, bathrooms, etc.) are in poor condition; they are rarely cleaned and therefore unsanitary, as well as unorganized. Moreover, the main studio is often too cold during the fall and winter seasons. While the costumes worn for the shows may appear presentable from the distance between the audience and the stage, they have hardly ever been cleaned, and, after years of use, are malodorous and have sweat stains. It seems that very little of the revenue that Bishop derives from this business is reinvested into it.In addition to the aforementioned problems, there is that of Bishops unprofessional, rude behavior. Toward most dancers, he is neutral and impersonal. He selects a few dancers as favorites, praising them excessively and loudly during classes, and grants them roles in his shows that they cannot fulfill due to their inadequate level of experience and skill. Other dancers, contrastingly, are ridiculed in front of the entire class, called names, imitated comically, and withheld from roles in shows. Bishop commits these offenses frequently, and even goes as far as yelling at the dancers and their parents during the shows. Due to his unpredictable and disrespectful conduct, he has been continually losing students over the years, including some who were with Northwest Ballet for many years and were otherwise pleased with the school.Bishops focus is to stage ostentatious performances that earn him profit. In the process, he disregards technique, etiquette, and respect for his dancers. As long as his shows impress the audience, he is unconcerned by dancers getting fatigued and injured by unsafe movements and poor technique. Bishops failure to rectify their improper technique in classes jeopardizes the dancers aspirations of progressing to prominent academies or careers in ballet. If you want to learn ballet correctly in an encouraging, positive, safe, and professional environment, I strongly recommend against attending Northwest Ballet.Note: Many of the positive reviews you currently see (or may see in the future) are likely obligatory ones written by Bishops dancers. I was in classes in which he importuned the students to write positive reviews, citing the need to dilute the poor ones he had been getting.

If I could give this place no stars I would! Please stay clear of this place, they are rude and completely unprofessional! They put no money into their business, its dirty, unorganized and make you very uncomfortable because they are desperately asking for donations every chance they get. It puzzles me because no one is there for free but they never seem to have any money for anything, I think its poor financial management. Its quite sad. They charge a ton of money for the kids to be in their shows and you end up with an old smelly costume, thats ripped and never been washed. They try and take as much money from you as they can, for the quality of classes that they teach there, its not worth paying the money. They even charge you to see your kids perform in their end of the year recital after you already paid for them to take classes there. Dont get me wrong if it was a recital been hosted in a nice venue then I would understand charging people but its held inside the studio, the kids are wearing old costumes and everyone is crowded in there. Not a good place to send your kids.

He (the owner) has ruined ballet for me. I used to love and look forward to each class, but as of this year I slowly have abhorred the thought of going to another one of his classes, to use the words of my daughter.My daughter has worked under many extremely talented instructors for years. This past year at Northwest Ballet was horrible. The owner of the studio is irresponsible and demeaning toward the students, and I let it slide for months hoping it would improve. He fails to recognize how to be both strict and encouraging at the same time.I would strongly discourage anyone from entrusting their children to be under his direction, or wasting their money on this poorly run studio.

I would like to share my experiences from Northwest Ballet Academy with those interested. I have only been dancing there for a couple of years. Up until then I played soccer, but when I watched The Nutcracker, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the magic and joy that was created by the wonderful community at NBT.At first, I felt very discouraged when taking classes, for I was not even close to the level of technique and ability that the other dancers had. Though I contemplated quitting, Mr. Bishop encouraged me, boosting my self-esteem. This was not just helpful in my decision to continue dance, it also helped me gain confidence in every day life, and I am forever grateful to him for that.Even in the two years that I have been with NBT, I have noticed my technique and ability have greatly progressed, due to the constructive criticism and corrections that Mr. Bishop has given to me personally. The wonderful dancers there are also very inclusive and kind to all, and I have learned a lot from them as well.Everyday in class, Mr. Bishop pushes us to do our best. He knows every dancer personally, and knows exactly how much to push them depending on their level and mood. He never ridicules any student in front of the class or outside class. Even when we slack, he addresses the entire class and gives us constructive pep talks to help us do our best at all times!As far as the studio atmosphere is concerned, the Bishops are constantly at work to ensure that the premises are clean and organized. The bathrooms are cleaned weekly and a heavy duty heating system has been installed for the dancers and visiting parents benefit! Everyone works hard at altering costumes as well so each one fits the dancer who wears it exactly how they like.Furthermore, Mr. Bishop is also very sensitive towards all of the dancers. When one only has a slight cold or minor injury, he still takes great precaution to ensure that dancers health and well-being are not put at stake. He is also very forgiving and kind to everyone. For example, when a dancer forgets their pointe shoes, hair stuff, or company leotard, he never reprimands them but only gently reminds them to remember next time.The thing that stands out most to me about Mr. Bishop is how knowledgeable he is about ballet. He kindly tells you when you are doing a position, step or transition wrong, and also notices when you are holding your leg, foot or arms incorrectly, and shows us the correct way. He also tells us when we may be conducting ourselves in such a way that we may get injured, so that we may prevent it!I love this studio and it is now my second home! I love the people, the place, and the teachers! I love how professional NBT is and the dancers rapid pace of improvement, thanks to John Bishops professional, knowledgeable, encouraging and sensitive teaching! I recommend this studio to everyone who has a love for dance, to the youngest dancers all the way up to senior dancers!Note: Nobody asked me to write this review, I did so to express the truth about our wonderful studio!

Mr. Bishop has continuously proven to be a skilled choreographer, director, and teacher over the years. It is always a pleasure to partake in an NBT production!Ive danced at NBT for nearly ten years now, and I can proudly say that my time at the studio and on stage has been the highlight of my childhood. The community at the studio is extremely close-knit and provides a place in which young dancers can mature and improve their technique.Its amazing to me the kind of improvement that can occur at this studio. Whenever a new student starts taking class with us, I am impressed to see the kind of progress the student makes in a short time thanks to Mr. Bishops helpful corrections.NBT is a wonderful place for young dancers to learn and become a part of a fantastic group of people. I would not trade my experience at Northwest Ballet Theater for anything!Note: None of the NBT staff asked me to write this review. This is my true opinion of the studio! :)