This past May, The School of Ballet Arizona (SBAZ) welcomed new School Director James Payne. With more than 35 years of experience as a performer, educator, and leader, Payne brings both deep expertise and a personal connection to Phoenix, where his own training began.
Payne’s journey in ballet started in the Valley, where he trained at Nina Marlow School of Ballet before launching a professional career at just 17 with Ballet West. He went on to dance internationally with Houston Ballet, performing both classical and contemporary repertoire and working with choreographers such as Ben Stevenson and Christopher Bruce. After retiring from the stage, he transitioned into leadership roles—first as company manager at Houston Ballet, then as co-founder and director of his own school in Texas for 17 years, and later as School Director at Philadelphia Ballet and faculty at Ballet West Academy.
Throughout his career, Payne’s passion for teaching has remained constant. “When I step into the studio, it’s not about me, it’s about helping each student discover what works for them,” he explains. To deepen that commitment, he pursued formal training in multiple methods, including the ABT curriculum, Vaganova, and Cecchetti, shaping an approach rooted in functional movement and versatility. “Every exercise must have a purpose that connects back to performance on stage,” he adds.
When the opportunity to lead the School of Ballet Arizona arose, Payne admits he wasn’t actively looking. But conversations with Artistic Director Daniela Cardim and Executive Director Jami Kozemczak convinced him. “They asked all the right questions,” Payne recalls. “I knew this was an organization that values the School as more than a revenue stream. It’s about training dancers and helping young people grow not only as artists, but as confident, resilient individuals.”
Payne is approaching his first year with both humility and clarity. He plans to observe closely while also introducing important structural changes. Chief among them is a unified syllabus to ensure consistency across faculty, giving students a solid base in classical ballet while also exposing them to new style like contemporary. “Companies today demand versatility,” he notes. “Adding contemporary and Horton technique helps create dancers who are not only strong and precise but also adaptable to the demands of the profession.”
Ensuring the continued growth and sustainability of the School is central to Payne’s vision—and he is quick to note that such progress is only possible because of those who believe in its mission. “Thanks to your generosity, we are able to pursue that mission with purpose and passion,” he shares. “Your support goes far beyond funding technical education; it allows us to instill qualities like creativity, perseverance, and self-confidence in every student who walks through our doors. These are lessons that remain long after they leave the studio – skills that shape not just artists, but thoughtful, capable individuals. Together, we are building a legacy of excellence, character, and opportunity.”
As Payne looks ahead, he envisions a school that is both a thoroughfare to the professional stage and a welcoming home for every student who enters. “Not every dancer will pursue a career, and that’s okay,” he reflects. “What matters is that each student feels supported, challenged, and inspired. My hope is that The School of Ballet Arizona becomes recognized nationally for excellence in training, while also remaining a place where young people in Phoenix can find confidence, discipline, and community.”
For Payne, the mission is clear—and with the generosity of Ballet Arizona’s donors, it is within reach.
