ABOUT
About the School
Bay Ridge Ballet is a classical ballet school offering year-around quality education in a wide range of dance forms including ballet, pointe, modern, tap, jazz, hip-hop, tumbling, musical theater, boys classes, adult classes and pre-professional training programs.
Our primary emphasis is developing the art and technique of ballet, as we believe it is a strong dance foundation that provides a safe and healthy approach to all dance genres. You can find a body-safe, technical approach in all BRB classes.
At BRB, our mission is to inspire, motivate and nurture dance students by providing education in a positive manner. We maintain a fun, yet disciplined environment that will allows students to develop and master dance skills along with a lifelong appreciation for dance.
BRB provides a strong program in proper technique, vocabulary, discipline and artistry as we strive to empower our students with a strong sense of self-confidence. All programs are taught in a welcoming and non-competitive environment that encourages growth as a dancer, as well as an individual.
BRB gives back with programs like the Junior Teacher Program and our community performances throughout the year!
Offering quality dance training in our Brooklyn community since 2016, BRB is where Bay Ridge comes for exceptional dance training!
What People Say
“Patty Foster is a fantastic example, instructor, inspirer, performer and team player.”
Cameron Baseden
Former Director of Interlochen Dance
"Patty is a natural motivator and source of inspiration for students. Patty's strength as an educator is to get students to do things they didn't think they could do, while challenging advanced dancers to move outside of their comfort zone. Patty is also an incredibly gifted choreographer. She has a natural understanding how much to challenge her students and what they are capable of on stage. She's a good role model for young dancers."
Michelle Ziemann-DeVos
Former Georgia Ballet School Dirctor
"Being apart of multiple classes taught by Ms. Patty was a great experience. She never failed to motivate students to achieve what seemed to be unachievable. Classes were always taught with enthusiasm, so it was never a dull moment. By the end of her classes you will be sore, but a personal goal will have been achieved. If I could do her classes all over again I would."
Former Junior Teacher & Student
“Miss Patty gives me strength to go on stage and perform. The dedication and extra hours she puts into planning our classes and rehearsals is incredible. I’m thankful to her for sharing her excitement and love for dance with me.”
Talia
Student Age 16
”I cannot even put into words how thankful I am that I had Miss Patty as a teacher. I feel like I have grown so much. She taught me so much!“
Jaime
Student Age 15
"There aren't enough words to describe how blessed we are to have Mrs. Patty Foster in our son's life. He was often bullied because of his love for ballet, but since taking classes with her, he has developed such a positive outlook on his passion for dancing. She assisted us with boosting his self esteem and now he no longer cares who knows that he takes ballet classes. Her classes are beyond fun and kids are easily attracted to her wonderful personality. She truly puts her heart into developing the art and skill within the child while keeping it a fun experience. I would never choose anyone else to teach my kids and would recommend her classes to anyone!"
Destiny
Mother of Student Age 7
About the Director
Patricia Foster-Grado, originally from Atlanta, began her teaching career in 1997 at The Georgia Ballet where she received most of her dance training as a child, before joining the professional company. Affectionately called Miss Patty by her students, her vision is to ignite children with enthusiasm for dance and to foster every child's individual needs to become the best dancer they can be. Having assisted classes from the young age of 10, dance education has played an important role in her development as a performer and an instructor.
An honor graduate from Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts at Pebblebrook High School, Patty performed with The Georgia Ballet and taught all over the Atlanta area while working towards her Dance Education degree at The University of Georgia on full academic scholarship. Continuing her education in Philadelphia at The University of the Arts, she received the “Best Dancer” award and graduated honors with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Modern Dance Performance.
In 2006, Patty was honored to join Parsons Dance and travel the world performing and teaching David Parsons' modern style. Other company credits include The Georgia Ballet, Kris Cangelosi Dance Project, Ruth Mitchell Dance Theater, Alliance Theatre Company, Brian Sanders' JUNK, Royal Hoppers Swing Dance Troupe, Michigan Opera Theatre and Eisenhower Dance Ensemble.
Patty has taught and choreographed a wide range of techniques, to thousands of students across the country at schools and universities including Brooklyn Ballet, Koresh Dance School, Mesa College, The University of Pennsylvania, Oakland University, Pebblebrook Performing Arts High School and Interlochen Center for the Arts.
Patty is a certified teacher in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum. Her students have been accepted with scholarship opportunities to programs such as ABT, SAB, Joffrey, Bolshoi and more!
Currently, Patty is proud to be founding director of Bay Ridge Ballet, where she pledges to bring quality classes to our Brooklyn community. With two young children of her own, Patty understands the value of good education and the power of an influential teacher.
With 25+ years experience teaching ballet, modern technique, jazz dance, tumbling and tap to students of all ages, she truly has a passion for her art and is excited to offer Bay Ridge a fresh perspective on dance education!
Skye
Student Age 6
William
Student Age 4
Penelope
Student Age 9