Trainee Division

2025-2026 Season
Kristina Windom, Trainee Coordinator

Acceptance by invitation only

Ballet West Academy’s Trainee Division was created in 2009 by Ballet West artistic director Adam Sklute for the purpose of extending a dancer’s formal training, post-graduation. Designed as a post-secondary training program, the Trainee follows a schedule similar to that of the main company with training in the first half of the day and the possibility of rehearsing with the main company in the second.

Trainees perform in select performances with Ballet West & Ballet West II, tour with Ballet West for Children, and maintain a consistent training schedule to be prepared for an ever-changing dance world.

It is the intent of the Academy Director, faculty, and artistic staff of Ballet West Academy to provide the highest caliber training to ensure that each dancer is prepared to take their place in an ever-changing dance world. The Trainee Division provides dedicated training of 20+ hours per week, in addition to rehearsal hours and performances with the company.

Trainees participate in Ballet West and Ballet West II rehearsals and tour with Ballet West for Children around the state. They perform in Ballet West’s The Nutcracker, the Ballet West Family Series, and select Company Productions. Trainees learn repertoire in company rehearsals with artistic staff and guest repetiteurs. Trainees also perform in Academy productions with recent repertoire including George Balanchine’s Who Cares, and Divertimento No. 15, and new works by Francisco Gella.

Through sponsorship with Intermountain Healthcare, we have access to a team of providers including Sport's Psychology, Nutrition, and full-time, onsite physical therapy dedicated to the Academy students.

Wellness

Career Support

Ballet West Academy faculty support Trainees in the next step of their career including audition support, references, and reviews of professional and collegiate opportunities.

Trainee Dress Code

LADIES
Leotard: So Danca in Gray with BWA logo
Skirt: Gray
Tights: So Danca A45 in Theatrical Pink or skin tone
Shoes: So Danca SD16C canvas split sole ballet shoe. The color should match the tights
Hair: Hair should be worn in the Academy Bun Style (tutorial here: https://vimeo.com/326914427 )
For Contemporary: Black leggings & Black Socks
For Performances: Skin tone leotard

GENTLEMEN
Shirt: So Danca in White with BWA logo
Tights: So Danca in Slate with nude dance belt
Belt: Waist Belt
Socks: Freed in White
Shoes: So Danca SD16 canvas split sole ballet shoe in White
Hair: Hair should be neatly groomed
For Contemporary: Black leggings & Black Socks

Uniforms may be purchased at each campus or from the Ballet West Boutique website at https://balletwest.square.site/. Please be sure to select items for your respective campus.

The FEQBWA is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students in the Professional Training Division, including Trainee students. Administered through the Student Exchange Visa Program, students can obtain an M-1 visa.

International Students Welcome

Repertoire

Performed repertoire by the Ballet West Academy Trainees includes:

  • Allegro Brillante
    George Balanchine

  • Who Cares
    George Balanchine

  • Divertimento No. 15
    George Balanchine

  • Western Symphony
    George Balanchine

  • Second Before the Ground
    Trey McIntyre

  • Airs de Ballet
    Lew Christensen

  • Pas de Cinq
    August Bournoville

  • Lark Ascending
    Bruce Marks

  • Kingdom of the Shades, La Bayadère
    Petipa

  • S.T.I.C.H.I.N.G
    Francisco Gella

Important Dates

Start of 2025/2026 Academic Year
August 25, 2025

End of the 2025/2026 Academic Year
May 23, 2025

Academic Year

Primary School Winter Showcase Performance
January 19, 2026

Primary School Spring Showcase
May 23, 2026

Performances

Labor Day - September 1, 2025
Fall Break - October 16 - 19, 2025
Halloween - October 31, 2025
Thanksgiving Break - November 24 - 30, 2025
Winter Break - December 22 - January 4, 2026
MLK Jr. Day - January 19, 2026
President's Day - February 16, 2026
Spring Break - April 6 - 12, 2026

Studio Closures

Artistic Leadership & Trainee Faculty

  • Adam Sklute

    ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST

  • Evelyn Cisneros-Legate

    DIRECTOR, BALLET WEST ACADEMY

  • Katherine Lawrence

    PRINCIPAL, BALLET CENTRE & TROLLEY CORNERS CAMPUSES

  • Catherine Batcheller

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND ARTISTIC ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

  • Bridget Payne

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND COSTUME COORDINATOR

  • Jeff Rogers

    PRINCIPAL FACULTY AND DIRECTOR OF ACADEMY MEN’S PROGRAM

  • Michael Waldrop

    FULL-TIME FACULTY & CONTEMPORARY PROGRAM MANAGER

  • Natalie Desch

    INSTRUCTOR AT BALLET CENTRE AND TROLLEY CORNERS

Learn about our faculty

2025-2026 Pricing

2025 Yearly Tuition

$7992

  • 2024-2025 Season

  • Monthly Installments: $888

  • Non-refundable deposit: $444

  • Registration Fee: $45

  • No performance or costume fees

2025 Optional Housing

$675-$725

per month, per student

  • Only available for students 16+

  • North Park Apartments, a 28-unit apartment complex, is situated in downtown Salt Lake City. It is near bus and light rail and is 1.4 miles to the Ballet Centre.

  • Lease Term: August 1, 2024 - May 31, 2025

  • New Tenant Deposit: $750

Trainees are selected by audition and exclusively at the invitation of Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute. There are no in-person open auditions for the Trainee Division at this time. Offers are typically extended through participation in Ballet West Academy’s Summer Intensive and year-round programs.