Ethan Stiefel, Artistic Director Designate
Aydmara Cabrera, School Director

The Program
JUNE 28 – JULY 31, 2021
Monday – Thursday | 9:30 AM-3:00 PM
Friday | 9:30-12:00 PM
Princeton Ballet School’s Summer Intensive is a 5-week program, in person or on-line, designed to nurture a dancer’s technical and artistic progress.
To be eligible, students must be at least 13 years old, with at least one year of pointe experience if applicable, when the program begins on June 28, 2021.
For more information, call 609.921.7758 or cbellis@arballet.org
Post High School Summer Intensive students may also be considered for the American Repertory Ballet/Princeton Ballet School Trainee Program.
Ways to Audition
In Person
January 17 in New Brunswick
60 Bayard Street (entrance behind NBPAC)
check in at @10:30 AM
Class 11:00 – 12:30 PM
This in-person audition will be limited to just 22 students, distanced through 2 studios, following all CDC, stage, and local health and safety guidelines. Students may also audition this day via Zoom.
Sign Up Here
January 24 in Princeton
301 N. Harrison Street (above McCaffrey’s)
check in at 10:30 AM
Class 11:00 -12:30PM
This in-person audition will be limited to just 30 students, distanced through 4 studios, following all CDC, stage, and local health and safety guidelines. Students may also audition this day via Zoom.
Sign Up Here
Via Zoom
January 25-29
February 1-5
Classes 9:30-11:00AM or 4:00-6:00 PM
Students may choose the morning or afternoon classes to audition via Zoom.
Sign Up Here
please note: dancers who are taking the audition from the same location are requested to have a number on the leotard.
Or Submit A Video Audition!
Now thru February 5th
Step #1: Complete the audition form
Step #2: Create a 5-7 minute 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)
Step #3: Upload the video to YouTube and email the link, 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
Audition Fee
The in-person & virtual audition fee is $30. The video audition fee is $35.
Classes
Summer Intensive focuses on ballet, including pointe and men’s classes. Other coursework includes variations, contemporary, character, Flamenco, 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.
With no housing option available, we understand that some participants may not be able to join us in-person. A virtual option will be available 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 (6/28-7/16) or 2 weeks (7/19-7/31). In person or virtual.
Tuition: $1, 800 in-person (5 weeks) | $1,500 virtual
Tuition: $1,080 in-person (3 weeks) | $900 virtual
Tuition: $720 in-person (2 weeks) | $600 virtual
Registration
After being accepted to the program:
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 American Repertory Ballet, ARB Trainee Program
The Trainee Program, a two-year-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. The program includes pointe class, variations, contemporary, bio-mechanics/conditioning, choreography, career development and American Repertory Ballet and classical repertoire to further technique and performance skills in a professional environment. Trainees also participate in the American Repertory Ballet’s production of Nutcracker and Princeton Ballet Workshop – the rehearsal and performance training program for the top levels of Princeton Ballet School.
International Students Princeton Ballet School is authorized and accredited by the federal government to enroll non-immigrant students.
Other Summer Programs:
Ages 11+: Summer Intensive Intermediates
Ages 9-11: Summer Intensive Juniors