Orza Academy of Ballet was founded by husband-and-wife team Kristin and Aaron Orza, whose shared connection to ballet began in the Bay Area and has continued throughout their professional and teaching careers.

Both Kristin and Aaron understand the demands of serious ballet training firsthand. Their combined experience spans professional performance, education, mentorship, program development, and school leadership, giving them a perspective that extends well beyond the studio. They have taught students at every stage of development, helped dancers pursue opportunities at elite schools and summer intensives, and supported young artists as they progressed toward trainee programs, collegiate study, and professional careers.

That experience informs the way Orza approaches training today. Kristin and Aaron believe dancers deserve instructors who are willing to be honest about the work, clear about expectations, and genuinely invested in their progress. They also believe that rigor does not have to come at the expense of warmth, and that a professional environment can still feel personal, supportive, and approachable.

Together, they bring a rare combination of professional experience, teaching expertise, traditional classical training, and a contemporary understanding of what students and families need from a ballet school today.

Their goal is not to recreate the past, but to carry forward what has always made classical ballet meaningful while building a better, more thoughtful experience for the dancers of today.