Your summer plans? Become a better dance. Choose from more than 190 ballet programs to take your artistry and technique to the next level.
Your summer plans? Become a better dance. Choose from more than 190 ballet programs to take your artistry and technique to the next level.
When it comes to navigating summer intensives, 2021 may be more complicated for ballet students than last year. On the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic's spring spike in 2020, summer programs went all-virtual or had very limited capacity. This year is more of a mixed bag, with regulations and restrictions varying widely across state and county lines and changing week by week.
Between vaccines and variants, can students aim for a full calendar of intensive training at local and national summer programs?
Students from Interlochen Center for the Arts in rehearsal
Courtesy Interlochen Center for the Atrs
American Ballet Theatre corps member Zimmi Coker teaching during ABT's Virtual Young Dancer Summer Workshop in 2020
Courtesy Coker
Interlochen Center for the Arts dance director Joseph Morrissey teaches an outdoor class on campus.
Courtesy Interlochen Center for the Arts
After a year of shuttered studios, virtual-only classes, and waving to ballet buddies over Zoom, summer intensives are back. For adult students, packing up for a few days of intensive training might seem like a pipe dream, as many of us spent the last year trying to fit in ballet classes while juggling work and, for those of us with kids, remote learning. With the country opening up again, let's start planning (safely!) for workshops that allow us to jump into technique, conditioning and, of course, high-elbowing some new friends.
For in-person intensives, please check the studio's website for detailed health and safety guidelines, including policies on masks, cleaning/hygiene, social distancing, and the policy on having to cancel in-person programs due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Alonzo King LINES Ballet Adult Dance Intensive (virtual only, via Zoom)
May 28–31, San Francisco
Immerse yourself in the celebrated home of Alonzo King, the artistic visionary who created LINES 39 years ago. Now in its second year as a virtual offering, this four-day workshop includes ballet, yoga, Pilates, choreography and contemporary. Students also have the option to drop in to class if they can't commit to all four days.
Lexington Ballet Adult Ballet Intensive
July 12–16, Lexington
Why should thoroughbreds have all the fun of training in the horse capital of the world? Reach new heights in your training at Lexington Ballet's Adult Ballet Intensive. Join school directors Luis and Nancy Dominguez and principal instructor Ayoko Lloyd for a five-day workshop that includes conditioning, Pilates, technique and repertoire. All classes are held in the evenings, and the program welcomes beginning through advanced students.
A group of dancers pose at a past Lexington Ballet Adult Dance Intensive.
Ayoko Lloyd, Courtesy Lexington Ballet
Louisville Ballet Adult Summer Intensive
May 31–June 4, Louisville
Polish off a glass of sweet tea (or two), and then work up a sweet sweat at Louisville Ballet's Adult Summer Intensive. Geared towards beginning through advanced levels, students ages 18+ can take part in half- or full days of training. Classes offered include technique, pointe and jump strengthening, modern, Pilates and yoga. Students will also perform in a livestreamed performance on the final day.
Brookline Ballet School Adult Summer Ballet Intensive
June 23–27, Brookline
The Red Sox and New England Patriots may get a bulk of the glory in Beantown, but the city is also a mecca for ballet. At Brookline Ballet School's Adult Summer Ballet Intensive, students (beginner or intermediate level) will spend three weeknights and two weekend mornings in technique and repertoire classes, wrapping up with an informal performance on Sunday afternoon.
Kat Wildish Presents (virtual, via Zoom)
June 14–25 and July 12–23
Join master ballet teacher Kat Wildish in a virtual intensive that aims to take your training to the next level. Each day, in one-hour classes, Kat will lead students of all levels from basic to advanced in various ballet exercises. The group will be limited to 20 dancers, so each person will get personal attention.
Kat Wildish (far left) working with adult students at Peridance Capezio Center
Matthew Venanzi, Courtesy Kat Wildish
artÉmotion Adult Ballet Summer Workshop
June 14–19, Cleveland
Head to the Buckeye State for a week of training under the tutelage of Ballet West first soloist Allison DeBona and principal Rex Tilton. In this Adult Ballet Summer Workshop, beginner and intermediate/advanced students will fine-tune their skills in two classes every morning: a 90-minute technique class followed by a one-hour class in one of the following disciplines: pointe/pre-pointe, acting, men's and women's variations, conditioning.
Amy Novinski
May 24–28 and June 28–July 2, Philadelphia
Those interested in the Vaganova technique may want to check out Amy Novinski's Adult Workshops. For the five-day May workshop, newbie dancers can look forward to classes devoted to ballet, jazz and yoga. For those more advanced, the June workshop offers more rigorous technique, contemporary ballet, pre-pointe/beginner pointe and jazz.
Ballet Academy of Charleston Adult Summer Intensive
July 26–30 and August 2–6, Charleston
Embrace the low-country charm in historic Charleston, where a weeklong Adult Summer Intensive at the Ballet Academy of Charleston invites beginning through advanced students to take classes in technique, stretching/Pilates/yoga, pre-pointe or pointe (for advanced students), variations, jazz, modern, contemporary and choreography. You may choose the half-day or full-day program.
Houston Ballet Adult Intensive
June 1–5, Houston
For intermediate/advanced students with at least three years of ballet training, Houston Ballet's Adult Intensive might be the perfect place to hone your skills. The school has two-, three- or five-day options, and includes ballet technique, variations, yoga and Zumba.
May 31–June 5, Salt Lake City
Ballet West welcomes students of all levels to artÉmotion's one-week Adult Ballet Summer Intensive. Classes include ballet, contemporary, pointe, jazz, modern, acting, and men and women's variations. Available in full-day or half-day options, those dancing only in the morning will take two 90-minute technique classes. The full-day experience offers the opportunity to be choreographed on for an in-studio performance on Saturday, June 5. All students will also have a professional dance photo shoot with Logan Sorenson.
A men's class at artÉmotion Adult Summer Ballet Intensive
Logan Sorenson, Courtesy artÉmotion
The August Ballet Retreat in Leeds
August 28–30, Leeds, UK
The three-day August Ballet Retreat in Leeds offers classes for students of all abilities. The mornings are devoted to technique, and in the afternoon, students will focus on repertoire. In the past, The Ballet Retreat has taught solos from Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet and Giselle. One detail is still tentative: If the retreat is unable to take place in person due to the pandemic, it will be offered virtually over Zoom.
Morlaix International Adult Ballet Camp
July 2–10, Morlaix, France
The Morlaix International Adult Ballet Camp is in the heart of France's Brittany region. In this full-day intensive, intermediate through advanced-level students will be led by an international faculty. Dancers can look forward to morning ballet classes and rehearsals in the afternoon. The week of training wraps up with a performance of Bournonville's Napoli at a nearby theater. Please contact the school for information about room and board.
Spring is in full bloom with another round of exciting digital dance offerings. This month, companies across the country are releasing world premieres, season finales, artistic collaborations and more. We've rounded up some highlights below.
Sebastian Villarini-Velez and India Bradley with KJ Takahashi and Jonathan Fahoury in Kyle Abraham's When We Fell
Erin Baiano, Courtesy NYCB
<p>On April 8, New York City Ballet presents <em>When We Fell, </em>a world premiere by Kyle Abraham starring company dancers <a href="https://www.pointemagazine.com/taylor-stanley-nycb-newest-principal-2412884298.html" target="_self">Taylor Stanley</a>, <a href="https://www.pointemagazine.com/new-york-city-ballet-india-bradley-2648133757.html" target="_self">India Bradley</a>, Jonathan Fahoury, Christopher Grant, Claire Kretzschmar, <a href="https://www.pointemagazine.com/lauren-lovette-dance-bag-2640876819.html" target="_self">Lauren Lovette</a>, KJ Takahashi and Sebastian Villarini-Velez. Filmed by cinematographer <a href="http://ryanmariehelfant.com/selected-films" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ryan Marie Helfant</a> and shot on the promenade and stage of the David H. Koch Theater, <em>When We Fell</em> celebrates a return to the Lincoln Center grounds after a period of emptiness. The film will remain available for free through April 22 via the NYCB <a href="https://www.nycballet.com/season-and-tickets/digital-season-info/kyle-abraham-world-premiere/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">website</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/nycballet" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube channel</a>.</p>