Strength • Optimization • Agility • Response
Elevate your dance performance with this specialized training series led by the renowned Health & Wellness Team of Houston Ballet. Designed for dancers ages 14+ seeking to improve their physical foundation, the S.O.A.R. Series focuses on building strength, enhancing mobility, refining balance, and increasing overall agility and responsiveness.
Dancers can choose to register for the full series for comprehensive training or join individual workshops to focus on specific areas of need.
S.O.A.R. Workshop Dates
October 11th, 2026
January 10th, 2027
March 14th, 2027
June 6th, 2027
Workshop cost is $50 each, or sign up for a a package of all four at a discounted price!
STRENGTH CREATES LENGTH with Carey Pickens
Sunday, October 11, 2026 | 1:00-2:30 PM
Do you want to be more flexible? Stop sitting in your splits and learn to achieve more mobility by focusing on exercises that build both strength and flexibility with Houston Ballet Academy’s faculty, Carey Pickens.
KONNECT YOUR BODY with Monica Bondi
Sunday, January 10, 2027 | 1:00-2:30 PM
Join Houston Ballet Academy Health & Wellness Instructor Monica Bondi for an enhanced Pilates workout using Konnections Bands (provided by HBA). This innovative approach engages and connects all four quadrants of the body for a balanced workout.
PEAK PERFORMANCE with Aki Kawasaki
Sunday, March 14, 2027 | 1:00-2:30 PM
In this workshop, you will learn workouts that will help you increase endurance and stamina to improve your performance in class and on stage with Houston Ballet Academy's Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Aki Kawasaki.
BALANCE CHALLENGE with Carey Pickens
Sunday, March 21, 2026 | 1:00-2:30 PM
Using a wobble board provided by Houston Ballet Academy, you will challenge your vestibular system to help improve balance even in the most challenging performance environments. Led by HBA Health & Wellness Instructor Carey Pickens.
Meet the Instructors
Aki Kawasaki
Aki previously served as a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach for Olympic athletes on the national team of Japan. He is currently the head strength and conditioning coach at Houston Ballet and Houston Ballet Academy.
Monica Bondi
Monica Bondi is a former dancer who fuses her knowledge of the art form with a specialized Pilates approach to help her students achieve length and strength. In addition to being part of the Health and Wellness team at Houston Ballet Academy, Monica is also the Founder of Bird on a Perch Pilates.
Carey Pickens
A former classical dancer, Carey Pickens currently teaches Pilates, Conditioning, and Adult Ballet for the Houston Ballet Academy. Carey is also the Founder of DanceProof, a Dance Science Consultancy where she works one-on-one with dancers, to prevent injury and enhance their physiological and technical performance.