Tutu School Debuts the Pirouette Council to Reimagine Ballet for the Next Generation

Founding members include a Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet, a leading nutritionist and advocates for disability inclusion and representation in dance

CHICAGO, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tutu School, an international collection of boutique ballet studios created for young children, recently unveiled its Pirouette Council, an advisory initiative that brings together leaders across ballet, wellness, nutrition and advocacy to provide guidance on how early dance experiences can promote confidence, belonging and wellbeing.

The launch comes as conversation around accessibility, inclusion, representation and dancer wellbeing continue to evolve across the dance industry. From training practices to community culture, there is a growing call for healthier, more sustainable approaches that help dancers thrive at every age and stage. The Pirouette Council exists to support that shift, offering guidance toward a more welcoming and sustainable dance world for current and future generations.

"Every day, thousands of children take their first ballet class with us. That is an extraordinary responsibility," said Genevieve Custer Weeks, Founder and CEO of Tutu School. "The Pirouette Council is how we make sure we are living up to it, by bringing together voices who can help us build a ballet world that is healthier and more welcoming for every child who walks through our doors."

Tutu School is uniquely positioned to lead this work. Each week, the brand welcomes tens of thousands of young dancers across a diverse network of communities, often at their very first encounter with ballet. Its teachers, many of whom are current or former dancers, help shape the classroom culture and values that define a child's early relationship with the art form, giving Tutu School both the responsibility and the opportunity to model inclusive, joyful practices from the very beginning of a dancer's journey.

As an advisory body rather than a governing board, the Pirouette Council provides insight and guidance across several areas, including Tutu School's programming for young dancers, support for teachers and staff, community and outreach initiatives, and broader opportunities to contribute positively to the wider dance world.

The Council's members include:

• Takiyah Wallace, Founder and Executive Director of Brown Girls Do Ballet
• Megan Fairchild, Former Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet and author of The Ballerina Mindset
• Monika Saigal, Nutritionist and author of Nourishing Dance and has worked with San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre's JKO and Studio Company, and Julliard
• Jacquie Robison, Founder and CEO of WAWOS, a disability awareness nonprofit
• Genevieve Custer Weeks, Founder and CEO of Tutu School

"We have a responsibility to ensure that dancers enter a ballet world that is healthy, inclusive and supportive. Regardless of their future dance goals, every dancer — and every teacher who nurtures them — deserves a culture rooted in care, kindness and well-being," said council member Monika Saigal. 

Looking ahead, the Pirouette Council will continue to guide Tutu School's programming and community initiative while contributing to broader conversations shaping the future of ballet. To learn more about the Pirouette Council, visit tutuschool.com/blog/introducing-the-pirouette-council. Families can find their nearest studio and explore available classes at TutuSchool.com. Prospective Tutu School Owners can learn more about available franchise opportunities at TutuSchool.com/tutu-school-franchising/.

About Tutu School

Founded in 2008 by former professional ballet dancer Genevieve Custer Weeks, Tutu School is an international collection of boutique ballet studios serving children ages 6 months to 8 years. With more than 125 locations across the U.S., Canada and the U.K., Tutu School blends classical ballet, imaginative storytelling and creative movement to nurture confidence, creativity and a lifelong love of movement. Guided by a joy-first philosophy, the brand creates welcoming, age-appropriate experiences where every child is encouraged to participate at their own pace. For more information, visit TutuSchool.com.

SOURCE Tutu School