About
The Encore Ballet Festival
The Encore Ballet Festival is a premier gathering dedicated to adult ballet dancers, offering an inspiring blend of competition, training, and community. Open to dancers of all backgrounds—from beginners and lifelong enthusiasts to those returning to the art—the festival provides a welcoming, unbiased stage to perform, grow, and refine your craft.
Designed for those who dance for the pure love of ballet, Encore invites participants to showcase their artistry and technique in a supportive, non‑professional setting. Dancers receive thoughtful feedback, connect with peers who share their passion, and experience the joy of performing in an environment that celebrates dedication at every level.
Alongside the competition, the festival features masterclasses, workshops, and intensives led by experienced instructors, giving dancers the opportunity to deepen their skills and expand their artistic voice. For former professionals no longer active in the industry, Encore offers a dedicated segment—either a showcase or peer‑level competition—honoring their continued commitment to the art form.
More than an event, the Encore Ballet Festival is a vibrant community where adult dancers come together to learn, celebrate, and inspire one another. Whether stepping onstage, training in class, or simply sharing the experience, every participant becomes part of a movement that affirms a simple truth: ballet has no age limit—only passion, artistry, and the desire to keep growing.
The Encore Ballet Team
Meet the artists leading Encore 2026
Rex Tilton —
Artistic Director, artÉmotion Ballet School
A former Principal with Ballet West, where he danced for fourteen seasons, Rex has been featured in Dance Magazine, Pointe, and the CW's Breaking Pointe. He now directs artÉmotion and teaches for the University of Utah School of Dance and Ballet West Academy — bringing a warmth and joy for movement that dancers of every level respond to.
Justine Sheedy-Kramer—
Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Utah
Justine earned both her BFA and MFA from the University of Utah, where she now teaches ballet technique, pointe, character dance, and music across every level. She has performed and choreographed internationally — from London to Tokyo to St. Petersburg — and is known for meeting each dancer exactly where they are, whatever their experience.
Kyohei Yoshida—
Master Teacher & Former International Professional Dancer
Kyohei trained in Tokyo and at the UK's Elmhurst School, performing with Birmingham Royal Ballet before a professional career that spanned Europe, Japan, and the U.S. Today, as the creator of Ballet Wizard, he teaches ballet through anatomy, physics, and power — helping dancers move with more ease, strength, and freedom from pain, at any age or stage. We're delighted to welcome him back for 2026.