If you want to help your dancer be the best they can be then there is no doubt that you should be looking into supplementing their development with a summer dance intensive!
A summer dance intensive is like a workshop or group of classes taught by various teachers in ballet or various styles of dance. They can run from anything between a day and 6 weeks or more during the summer school holidays. Many dance educators from pre-professional schools to small suburban studios generally have some sort of summer class or intensive offering to help students keep up their skills and flexibility during the holidays.
When choosing a dance or ballet intensive or holiday dance program there are various levels of intensity, training, styles, length of time, costs and locations to choose from. For more information about what an intensive is and isn’t read our article What is a Summer Ballet or Dance Intensive?
The following Intensives are just a small selection of what is out there and we are not so much recommending any of the intensives listed, rather we are trying to create a list of what is available to you. Therefore please always check with the promoters and people running the intensive to confirm that it is best for your dancer and your budget!
American Ballet Theatre – New York City
reputation for being the most thorough and rewarding dance experience a student can have during the summer. Under the supervision of ABT’s Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie and Artistic Director of Summer Intensives Kate Lydon, the program offers top quality teachers and master guest teachers that are dedicated to the learning process and growth of each individual student. The ABT Summer Intensive focuses on developing well-rounded dancers through exposure to a wide variety of disciplines with an emphasis on classical ballet technique and key elements of ABT’s National Training Curriculum.
American Ballet Theatre will hold In-Person and Virtual Summer Intensives in 2022.
In both programs, students participate in daily classes with ABT’s renowned faculty and enjoy a comprehensive curriculum that includes exposure to ABT artists, history and repertory. Class size will be limited.
America Dance Training Camps – Various Across the US & Canada
Our summer programs offer a wide range of intensives curated specifically We believe you have to do what you love. And we believe the world needs strong & inspired girls like you who are doing more of what they love. At ADTC overnight dance camps, you’ll find a tight-knit, all-girl community; a place where you aren’t bombarded by confusing media images; and a unique opportunity to reconnect with your authentic “Self.” Our summer team is trained to empower girls ~ we just happen to be America’s greatest dance choreographers, too. And we’re inviting YOU to attend one of our dance camps this summer. Come make new friends, learn cool moves and have a BLAST!
Arts Umbrella – Vancouver and Surrey, Canada
Arts Umbrella Dance summer programs offer a wide range of intensives from our week-long Junior and Teen programs to our three-week International Summer Dance Intensive.
World-renowned teachers, choreographers, and repetiteurs join Arts Umbrella faculty to offer a dance experience that will lead dancers to reach their performance potential.
Programs include a range of classes, covering everything from ballet to Gaga, and modern to coaching and conditioning.
Ballet Austin – Austin, Texas
Endowed in part by Sarah and Ernest Butler through the Ballet Austin Foundation
Under the personal instruction of Artistic Director Stephen Mills, Associate Artistic Director Michelle Martin and an outstanding faculty, you will learn what it takes to excel in your career through this classical yet innovative program.
Ballet Austin’s Senior Summer Intensive program offers two, three-week sessions or one, six-week session of study for serious students ages 11–22. Members of Ballet Austin II, Ballet Austin’s apprentice program, and second company, as well as Ballet Austin’s Butler Fellowship Program, are selected from the Senior Summer Intensive. Ballet Austin’s Junior Summer Intensive program offers one, two-week session of study for serious students ages 9–13.
Bolshoi Ballet Academy – New York City
The Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Intensive in Connecticut (BBASI CT) provides expert training for serious ballet students (ages 9-15) through unique instruction by leading teachers from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. BBASI CT is a rigorous ballet training program conducted in Russian language, with the assistance of English-speaking interpreters, and is designed to offer pre-professional ballet training through class instruction and showcases. The participant’s summer experience is supplemented by extracurricular activities at locations on and off campus.
The Program is designed for serious dancers and is structured to achieve individual progress in ballet training through a strong focus on clarity of technique, increased strength, and greater musicality.
The overall environment is non-competitive, with an emphasis on teamwork and building a positive, supportive, lasting community of peers. To supplement the ballet training, BBASI CT offers a full summer experience comprised of extracurricular activities, an introduction to Russian language, and off-campus trips. Dancers from all over the world attend BBASI CT.
Boston Ballet School’s Summer Dance Program (SDP) – Boston, Massachusetts
Boston Ballet School’s Summer Dance Program (SDP) offers an unparalleled experience for serious-minded, high-level ballet students between the ages of 12 and 18. Each summer, students from around the world are drawn to SDP to immerse themselves in a professional training environment. Under the instruction of an internationally renowned faculty, and alongside a community of like-minded peers, students will develop their passion for ballet while expanding their capabilities as dancers, artists, and performers.
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) – Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s 5-Week Summer Ballet Intensive Program provides unparalleled training by our prestigious faculty and guest faculty. As a summer ballet camp student, you will experience a program focused on advancing your strength and technique using the proven Teaching Syllabus© of our founder, Marcia Dale Weary. Build your confidence as a dancer through our comprehensive curriculum that brings together the finest in technique and artistry. Supplemental classes have included character, pointe, variations, modern, partnering, jazz, and hip-hop.
When: June 18 – July 23, 2022
While CPYB does not hold auditions for our 5-Week Summer Ballet Program, dancers with previous experience ages 7-18 must submit an application for review and consideration. The application has three required photos. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and applicants are notified of their acceptance, with any applicable next steps.
Required application photos include a headshot, Croisé fourth on relevé, and First arabesque.
Please email [email protected] with any questions.
Dance Theater of Harlem – New York
For students age 8 – 24, Dance Theatre of Harlem School’s Summer Intensives provide a challenging exploration of ballet in a diverse and nurturing environment. Led by School Director, Robert G arland, former principal dancer and current Resident Choreographer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem Company, students will be immersed in all aspects of neoclassical and classical ballet training, following the Dance Theatre of Harlem methodology. Students who join us will have a unique educational experience that will have them #StandTaller
Juilliard Summer Dance Intensive – Juilliard Campus & New York City
Juilliard Summer Dance Intensive is a specially curated three-week in-person program designed to both introduce dancers to Juilliard and to provide them with information about college dance programs that will assist them in making decisions about their education that are in line with their professional goals.
Through technique classes, discussions, and collaborations with special guest choreographers, dancers have the opportunity to meet faculty, students, and staff, and will meet one-on-one with either Dance Division Dean and Director, Alicia Graf Mack, or Associate Director, Mario Alberto Zambrano.
The program is limited to dancers who have completed at least one year of high school/secondary school and who will not graduate before the program begins. Generally, this means that dancers in the program are aged 15-17 and have completed grade 9, 10, or 11. International students are welcome to apply. All classes, rehearsals and other activities will take place at the Juilliard Campus and in New York City.
Detailed information on the admissions process is available below. Questions may be directed to [email protected].
Mutual Dance Theatre – Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mutual Dance host an annual Teen Modern Dance Summer Intensive/Pre-College.
What’s significant about their program is that they focus on providing quality training for intermediate/advanced teens, in a week-long immersive dive into Modern Dance with introductions to college faculty and numerous collegiate programs.
The week includes 9 different faculty members, 25 class meetings, and 12 different colleges represented. This is not only an intensive but an immersive and educational experience!
Kirov Academy – Washington, DC
The Summer Intensive Program (SIP) is a 5-week classical ballet intensive for serious dancers with rigorous training in the Vaganova method, along with a myriad of other dance styles and related classes to provide students with a summer of diverse education.
Each day consists of up to 6 hours of dance training; classes include ballet technique, pointe/variations, men’s technique, pas de deux (if possible), character, contemporary, modern, jazz, stretch & conditioning, repertory, nutrition, ballet history, and much more with some of the finest instructors from around the world.
LA Contemporary Dance Company (LACDC) – Los Angeles, California
The LACDC Summer Intensive offers a space to freely express yourself, discover and explore in a non-judgmental, uplifting, and supportive environment where your uniqueness is celebrated. Join LACDC Co-Founder Kate Hutter, Artistic Director Jamila Glass, Company Members and an array of L.A.’s top contemporary artists for advanced classes in ballet, contemporary, modern and jazz technique, improvisation, and LACDC Repertory.
This intimate program will be held at Stomping Ground L.A. and is geared towards college, pre-professional, and professional students (Ages 15+)* who want to continue diving into their personal practices. The intensive is recommended for advanced dancers with a minimum of 3-5 years of training in Modern, Ballet, and/or Jazz. It is not recommended for dancers who are new to contemporary dance or are looking for an introduction to modern or contemporary technique.
The curriculum of the intensive is focused on technical growth, expanding artistry, and creative exploration. Students have the option to sign up for either week or both weeks. The two-week program will culminate in a free showcase open to the public on the final day (Friday, July 29th).
*Students ages 15-17 will be considered via an application process.
Mark Morris Dance Group Summer Intensive – Brooklyn, New York
Explore the innovative and challenging work of Mark Morris in our annual Summer Intensive held at the Mark Morris Dance Center. We are so excited as this year our intensive will be in person. All students will work directly with Dance Group company members, Music Director Colin Fowler, and Mark Morris himself! The Summer Intensive includes music seminars, daily classes in modern dance, ballet, pilates, and will culminate with an informal showing.
Off limits Camps – Jersey City, NJ – NYC Metro Area
Teen Summer Intensive is a 3-week training program designed to develop, increase, and strengthen your technique, self-confidence, and artistry. It emphasizes clean technique and self-discipline within a nurturing and supportive environment, and the dancers work to understand the value of dance as an art form.
Blueprint is designed to expose dance students to the best instructors in both the ballet and contemporany fields from New York City and around the world. It is designed to develop more career opportunities and enrich their current dance network.
It is necessary to pass a casting before the inscripition. Request us for the audition bases!
Pittsburgh Ballet Theater – Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania
Pre-professional ballet students from across the country and abroad will converge for an immersive five-week training program led by Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School faculty, PBT artistic leaders and high-profile guest instructors. Over the course of five weeks, students will gain experience in both classroom and rehearsal settings. These are their steps to success:
- Dedication: Students stretch, strengthen and dance their way to stronger technique and stage presence. As they work with PBT artists and instructors, they’ll learn more about the professional dance world and about themselves as artists.
- Versatility: In preparation for the classical to contemporary spectrum of today’s dance companies, students learn to adapt to a diverse curriculum ranging from ballet technique and pointe to jazz and modern.
- Passion: These students have chosen to dedicate a large part of their lives to dance, and many aspire to a professional career. During their time with PBT, they’ll meet peers with similar passions and absorb insights from teachers with extensive stage careers.
Dancers from all across the country and world are invited to audition for three exceptional programs – the Intensive Summer Program, “Company Experience” Workshop and year-round Pre-professional Division Program. Students are able to audition in-person, via Zoom or submit a video audition.
School of Creative & Performing Arts (SOCAPA)– Los Angeles & New York
Dance Conservatory Summer Intensive for Teens and High School Students
Students in the three-week Dance Conservatory intensive receive individual coaching from our professional dance faculty in solo choreography and technique. In addition to developing and performing group choreography for a professionally shot dance video, each student choreographs and performs a solo dance piece that will be filmed on location in a venue that complements the mood of the student’s performance. Students leave the program with a polished solo performance video to share with friends, send to agents, or submit with high school, college or conservatory applications.
Inlet Dance Theatre – Cleveland, Ohio
Inlet’s annual Summer Dance Intensive (SDI) is perhaps the best example of the company’s mission of “using dance to further people.” The goal of Inlet’s Summer Dance Intensive is to provide students with a short-term experience of being in a professional company. Typically, students from international & regional locations join local talent to create a diverse ensemble, ages 16 and up, of various races, skill sets, and socioeconomic backgrounds. In addition to receiving professional training in dance techniques and performance, students also discover personal growth, character development, embodied trust, respect, empathy, self-discipline and confidence. Inlet’s SDI will culminate in participants performing on stage alongside the company and the dancers in Inlet’s Trainee & Apprentice Program in two performances for the community at Cain Park Evans Amphitheater.
SDI Is being held at Inlet’s new home at the Pivot Center for Art, Dance & Expression located at 2937 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113. With easy access to the highway and over 2,800 square footage of studio space, it’s an ideal, safe, and convenient location with free on-site parking.
TDA PREP – Carol Stream, Illinois
Our summer programs offer a wide range of intensives curated specifically for the needs of dancers and dance parents. From our week-long college prep intensive for Rising High School Seniors to our Classical Ballet intensive for dancers interested in pursuing a career in ballet, our intensives are built to surpass your expectations and prepare you for what’s next on your dance journey.
Our teachers aren’t JUST renowned. They’re experienced at the highest level and focused on being the best dance educators your child has ever encountered. The coaches and teachers at TDA Prep offer a dance experience that will change your dancer’s life.
Programs include a range of classes, from classical ballet to modern dance, and contemporary to coaching and conditioning.
THE AILEY SCHOOL – New York
Junior Division – Ages 12-15
The Ailey School offers young dancers ages 12 to 15 an exciting 4-week Summer Intensive and the opportunity to study a variety of dance techniques in New York City, the cultural center of the world.
Professional Division – Ages 16-25
For students ages 16 to 25, The Ailey School’s Summer Intensive offers aspiring dancers an opportunity to take technique classes and masterclasses with guest artists in the heart of New York City’s theater district. A 3-week session and a 6-week session are being offered.
The Rock School for Dance Education – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Rock School’s renowned Summer Ballet Intensive 2022 is a premier training program for students ages 8+. With over 50 years experience, The Rock School’s reputation remains tried and true in producing leaders and principal dancers in major ballet companies around the world. The School anchors the Avenue of the Arts in the amazing city of Philadelphia, with state of the art housing, a meal plan created by our resident chef, fun outings exploring historic Philly and a Summer Showcase performance for all 6-week students.
Urbanity Dance – Boston Center for the Arts
Urbanity’s Summer Intensive program is back! Each summer, intermediate-advanced dancers ages 11-24 are selected for a unique contemporary dance intensive to work with nationally-acclaimed guest artists, Urbanity Dance Company members, and Urbanity’s most popular faculty. Students receive 7 hours of daily instruction from 10-5pm in ballet, modern, and contemporary technique, as well as supplementary courses in jazz, musical theater, improv, hip hop, and repertory. The 2022 program will run from July 25th – August 12th at the Boston Center for the Arts. Students may choose to attend all three weeks, two weeks, or just one week.