Video by Ernesto Galan

SUMMER DANCE PROGRAM | RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE | AUDITION TOUR | TUITION, DATES, & FAQ

Studio Experience

Supported by a large and diverse faculty and staff, participants in Summer Dance Program develop holistically as dancers, artists, and students. See below for information on key elements that go into a student’s training.

CURRICULUM  |  FACULTY | STUDIO ASSIGNMENTS  |  PHYSICAL THERAPY

Photo by Liza Voll

Classical Ballet Training

Summer Dance Program is designed to develop each student’s ballet technique. Training six days per week under the guidance of our expert faculty, students learn how to improve upon their balance and strength in small and subtle, yet hugely impactful, ways. This level of focus and discipline lays a strong foundation for students, upon which more sophisticated elements, including artistry and musicality, can be built.

Classical ballet training includes:

  • 2-hour technique class, daily
  • 1-hour pointe/men’s/variations class, daily
  • 1-hour partnering class, weekly (select levels only)
  • 1-hour corps de ballet class, once or twice weekly
  • Additional showcase rehearsal (select levels only)
  • Conditioning/strength training/Progressing Ballet Technique

Photo by Liza Voll

Supplemental Curriculum

Summer Dance Program encourages students to expand their understanding of the dance world. As the ballet industry itself continues to broaden, so must dancers technical experience. While specific offerings may vary for each level, students can expect many of the following “supplemental” classes each week:

  • Character
  • Contemporary
  • Jazz/Musical Theater
  • Modern

Faculty

Summer Dance Program brings together year-round faculty from Boston Ballet School, professional dancers from Boston Ballet, and guest artists from around the word to share their expertise with students. Some of the faculty that students can expect to see include:

Artistic Leadership:

Tamara King, Associate Director of Boston Ballet School
Joan Boada, Associate Director of Boston Ballet II
Ivaylo Alexiev, Assistant Principal of Boston Ballet School
Melanie Atkins, Children’s Rehearsal Director

 

Boston Ballet School Faculty

Alaina Albertson Corina Gill Harry Moser
Naoko Brown  Pavel Gurevch Alla Nikitina
José Carreño Mary Haddad  Dalay Parrondo
Cristin Chabot Rie Ichikawa Jaqui Strong
Caroline Cooper Eyla Jeschke Michael Wagley
Cynthia Lucas

Faculty bios available HERE.

Boston Ballet Dancers

EMILY ASTON
Boston Ballet Artist

MARÍA ÁLVAREZ
Boston Ballet Soloist

PAUL CRAIG
Boston Ballet Principal Dancer

Guest Faculty

Noah Gelber
Choreographic Assistant and Repetiteur, William Forsythe
Former Soloist, Ballett Frankfurt

Michele Gifford
Ballet West Rehearsal Director,
Former dancer, New York City Ballet

Sarah Wroth
Chair of the Ballet Department at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Former Boston Ballet dancer

Misa Oga
Artistic Director of MOGA Conservatory of Dance

Shannon Parker
Former Principal dancer, San Francisco Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre, Ballet Du Rhin

Melanie Pearson
Co-Director of the Ailey School
Former dancer, Dance Theatre of Harlem

Magaly Suárez
Artistic Director of The Art of Classical Ballet

Kevin Thomas
Artistic Director of Collage Dance Collective
Former Principal dancer, Dance Theatre of Harlem

*Faculty subject to change. Additional guest faculty to be announced.

 

Studio Assignments

Each student will be assigned to one of our two studios, located in Boston’s South End and Newton, Massachusetts, based on age. Dividing by age guarantees that students will work most closely with the faculty members best suited for their level of physical development and experience. While each studio will have its core faculty, we strive to integrate many of our teachers across both locations in order to create an equitable experience for all students.

Ladies ages 12–14 will train at our Newton Studio, and ladies ages 16–18 will train at our Boston Studio. 15-year-old ladies will be assigned to a studio later in the spring, once enrollment has settled, so that students can be divided in a way that guarantees equitable class sizes at both locations.

The same age split outlined above will primarily be used for men as well, though exceptions may be made to account for the smaller population of men enrolled in the program. Additionally, some men will train at both locations over the course of the week, to ensure partnering classes are available to all eligible ladies.

Physical Therapy

Tuition includes access to on-site physical therapy for injuries sustained during the program. Physical therapy is available at both the Boston and Newton Studios and is open to all students.

Should a student’s injuries require medical attention beyond our on-site Physical Therapy, appointments will be arranged with our partners at the Sports Medicine Division at Boston Children’s Hospital.

 

To learn more about what you can expect, review our PROGRAM GUIDEBOOK, visit our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS page or email SDP@BOSTONBALLET.ORG.

SUMMER DANCE PROGRAM | RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE | AUDITION TOUR | TUITION, DATES, & FAQ

 

Summer Dance Program must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the local board of health.