The Program
July 13 – August 14, 2020
Monday – Thursday
9:30 AM-3:00 PM
Summer Intensive is a program of serious study in a warm and companionable atmosphere. The faculty provides caring and careful instruction conducive to technical and artistic progress. In seeking to maintain a feeling of community, Princeton Ballet School purposely limits the number of students in class.
For more information, call 609.921.7758
Post High School Summer Intensive students may also be considered for the American Repertory Ballet/Princeton Ballet School Trainee Program.
Audition Registration Information:
VIDEO AUDITIONS ARE STILL BEING ACCEPTED
Video auditions (YouTube only). YouTube submission must be accompanied by an audition form and $35 audition fee. Please submit a video demonstrating the following:
Barre exercises – Pliés, tendus, dégagés, rond de jambes, grand battements, adagio.
Center exercises – Adagio, Across the floor Pirouette, Petit Allegro, Grand Allegro. Women should show two pointe exercises (one with pirouette)
Upload the video to YouTube and email the link as well as your audition form, headshot and first arabesque (en pointe for women) photo to Carol Bellis at cbellis@arballet.org.
Experience the opportunity to:
- Sample a taste of professional life in a full day dance experience, including rehearsals for a final performance
- Grow technically through daily ballet technique, including pointe or men’s class
- Deepen your understanding of important concepts in injury prevention, such as proper alignment and rotation
- Expand your dance background through classes in contemporary, modern, and character dance
- Develop group communication and leadership skills while establishing friendships with equally committed young dancers
- Set effective goals and learn to increase personal discipline and focus
- Interact with dedicated professionals, including the Princeton Ballet School faculty American Repertory Ballet’s professional company members
Classes
Summer Intensive focuses on ballet, including pointe and men’s classes. Other coursework includes variations, contemporary, character, and choreography. Sessions in BioMechanics/Conditioning gives dancers the opportunity to identify and resolve problems, increasing the sophistication with which dancers approach technique class.
Placement In Levels
Levels are determined on the first day of the program, the classes start meeting in their regular groups on the second day.
“What was particularly interesting, and made a great impression on me, right from the beginning of the first lesson of the Summer Intensive, was a method of studying classical ballet definitely new, in some of its aspects, and in other ways, richly motivating me to reflect on and deepen my prior knowledge: I found every movement, from the very beginning of the barre work, more danced, more lived, more breathed.”
–Federica Valla, Teatro Nuovo, Torino, Italia
The Studios
Princeton Ballet School is located in the heart of Princeton with four large studios featuring high ceilings and sprung dance floors. Live music accompanies all ballet and modern dance classes.
The facility includes a dance library and is adjacent to numerous shops and restaurants, with generous open space, picnic tables, and gardens. The entire studio complex is wireless accessible.
Housing
Due to the impact of COVID-19, Princeton University will not offer room and board to our dancers this summer. Students that had planned to stay in the dorms will need to find their own housing. If you have already made payments for room and board, you will receive a full refund, or transfer the room and board payment towards Summer Intensive tuition.
With no dorm option available, we understand that some of you may not be able to join us in-person. A virtual option will be created for this summer so that all students have the opportunity to receive as much of the Summer Program experience as possible.
Fees
To allow for even greater flexibility for families, the Summer Intensive programs will be offered in different sessions: 5 weeks, 3 weeks, or 2 weeks. In person or virtual.
Tuition: $1, 800 (5 weeks) | $1,500 virtual only
Tuition: $1,440 (4 weeks) | $1,220 virtual only
Tuition: $1,080 (3 weeks) | $900 virtual only
Tuition: $720 (2 weeks) | $600 virtual only
Tuition: $360 (1 week) | $300 virtual only
Registration
Scholarships
A limited number of merit-based tuition scholarships are available. All students attending each audition site are automatically considered for scholarship. There is no separate application process.
Age Qualifications
Summer Intensive is for students ages 13 and over.
“Our daughter greatly enjoyed her time at Princeton Ballet School, and we would like to thank you so much for all that you have done to make her stay so pleasant.”
-Famille de Brye, Académie Américaine de Danse de Paris
Further Opportunities: The ARB Trainee Program
The Trainee Program begins with the Summer Intensive and is the bridge between the student phase of training and that of a professional career. ARB Trainees start each day with intensive classes designed to polish technique and build strength. These classes are exclusively for the Trainee dancers, with a focus on the individual participant. The Trainees finish each day with two more classes. These classes include pointe, variations, partnering and modern dance training. After their morning training, which also includes pointe, variations and modern dance, the Trainees join ARB company rehearsals where they understudy company roles. This exposes the Trainee to the expectation of a professional company, learning repertory, polishing technique and performance skills in the more intense professional environment. Trainees also participate in the PBS Workshop—the rehearsal and performance training program for the top levels of Princeton Ballet School. Dancers learn repertory designed for their level of capability, and are given the opportunity to perform in professionally produced productions. Princeton Ballet School is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant students.
Other Summer Programs:
Ages 11+: Summer Intensive Intermediates
Ages 9-11: Summer Intensive Juniors
