Choreographic Workshop

Students are highly encouraged to attend the 5-Week Program, whenever possible. Dancers will have more opportunities to work with Ballet West Artistic Staff and Principal Faculty of the Ballet West Academy, when attending all five weeks. The repetition and the rapport dancers can develop working with our faculty over a longer period of time will encourage greater progress throughout the summer. It will also provide additional consideration for year-round programming within the Ballet West Academy. 

Every level has the same number of instructional hours throughout the course of the program. Classes are offered 6 days a week, Monday thru Saturday. All levels have a two hour technique class, a one hour additional ballet class (such as pointe, men’s technique, pas de deux, variations, or repertoire) and a one hour class of a different dance genre (jazz, modern, contemporary, character, flamenco, Irish) each day. In addition, every level has a cross training class (such as Pilates, yoga, conditioning, or a seminar) each day. Within these instructional hours the program is tailored to the needs and developmental progress of each group. For example, a dancer in Level 1 who is 13 and has danced en pointe for 1 or 2  years will work on a beginning variation. Whereas, a dancer who is 18, is in Level 5 and ready to launch to a professional career, would work on a more advanced variation. Seminars and workshops are also designed with the learning needs of each level in mind. Younger dancers may have seminars relating to care of pointe shoes, dance history or growth mindset; while upper levels may have seminars relating to career and college preparation.  Every level works with a variety of the guest faculty and Ballet West’s Principal faculty. 

Yes. All levels will have an opportunity to participate in pas de deux. The two men’s levels will rotate thru the ladies levels over course of the summer, to ensure developmentally appropriate instruction. Pas de deux classes are not offered at St. George or YDSI.

Because each individual dancer develops at their own pace, many of our levels overlap in age range. Dancers are grouped by a general age range to facilitate a cohesive class, however, a balance of age and ability is always considered when creating placements. 

We believe a strong foundation is important to a successful future for our dancers. Levels 1 and 2 accommodate students of a similar age, while enabling each level to progress and build strength.  Dancers who are placed in Level 2 may have more experience dancing en pointe or may have trained intensively previously. 

Summer intensive auditions may occur up to 5 months before the start of the program. Dancers can change tremendously during this time. For example, young dancers may progress from a beginning to an intermediate pointe level. Some dancers may increase the amount or intensity of training. In addition, some dancers may reduce their training due to injury or other unforeseen circumstances. For these reasons, our faculty re-evaluates all students during the first few classes of the program to ensure that every student is receiving the instruction that is appropriate for their current level. Because the program is just a few weeks long, instructors make level adjustments as early in the program as possible. 

In general, the faculty tries to avoid moving students ‘down’ a level, unless there is a risk of injury. Most often students remain in the level in which they were placed during the audition process, and occasionally students are moved up a level when re-evaluated. 

The level placement is made by the faculty, not by students or parents. We appreciate when dancers can respect and understand the professional opinion of the faculty and work their hardest in the level deemed appropriate. The faculty invites parents to partner with us in encouraging students to strive to reach their individual potential, instead of comparing themselves to peers. 

Within each level, dancers are divided into groups so that every class has an appropriate number of students for the space in which they will dance. For example, a level may be divided into groups such as 1A and 1B - so that dancers receive individualized attention in class. There is no difference in placement between these groups- all students of the same level receive training aligned with the curriculum for that level. Students follow the schedule of their group as designated by the faculty.

Please direct summer intensive audition and program-specific questions to Summer Intensive Coordinator, Jordan DeBona, at summerintensive@balletwest.org or by phone at 801-869-6966.