The Summer Intensive is designed to provide expert training for ballet students through unique exposure to the experience and expertise of Master Teachers from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. Classes will be conducted in groups, organized by participants' skill levels as demonstrated by their auditions. A participant's level placement may be adjusted during the course of the program at the discretion of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy Master Teachers. At the conclusion of the training program all participants will receive an assessment of their progress and advice for furthering their training by the Master Teachers.
A Final Performance will give participants enrolled in the six-week and the second three-week sessions the opportunity to showcase their repertoire for invited guests and professional ballet teachers. A Class Observation Day will be held at the conclusion of the first three weeks of the program.
Participants will have a unique opportunity to audition for enrollment in the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow. Furthermore, one Female and one Male participant, enrolled in a six-week session of the Summer Intensive, will be selected to go to Moscow to dance with the Bolshoi Ballet Academy at their Gala Performance!
Accommodations and training in Moscow will be provided at no cost to the participants!
Locations and Levels
The program will take place in two locations:
Levels 1-4 (Ages 9-14*):
The Summer Intensive for 9-14 yr old participants will continue at the Westover School in Middlebury, Connecticut and will offer a resident or commuter participant option. The program is designed as a complete summer experience specifically catering to younger ballet lovers. While ballet classes will dominate the participants' weekday schedule, exciting and educational extracurricular activities are planned throughout. Russian Language Studies, Ballet History, Photography, Musical Theatre, and Musical Appreciation will be offered in the evenings. Additional recreational activities including Swimming, and Bonfire are also planned. Weekends will allow some down time, as well as weekly trips to museums, theme parks, New York City, Broadway and dance performances. Resident participants will enjoy life at the beautiful Westover Campus where all facilities are located. Any trips beyond the campus grounds will be chaperoned. Day participants will be welcome to join the others for lunch, as well as some of the extracurricular activities Monday – Friday.
A separate Male Technique class is offered, as well as Introduction to Partnering for participants age 13-14.*
Advanced Levels (Ages 15 and older*):
Advanced Level Male and Female participants will train at New York's Lincoln Center. The participants applying to this program should be mature, focused, and able to engage in independent time outside of class with fewer organized activities. While some organized weekend activities will still be planned, the schedule outside of class is open, giving participants the ability to enjoy everything New York City has to offer. Nevertheless, an evening curfew, class attendance, healthy eating and lifestyle, and other rules will be strictly enforced by the chaperones and program staff. Advanced Levels will also include separate Male Classes and Partnering.
* Exceptions may apply. Bolshoi Ballet Academy Teachers reserve the right to change a participant’s placement at the beginning of the program. An audition is required for placement. Enrollment is limited. Introduction to Partnering will include participants age 13-15, by invitation only.
Curriculum
Levels 3 and 4 (Westover)
Ballet Stretching
Rhythm Development
Classical Ballet
Repertoire
Historical Dance
Levels 1 and 2 (Westover)
Classical Ballet
Pointe
Variations
Repertoire
Character Dance
Introduction to Partnering
Male Technique
Advanced Level (NYC)
Classical Ballet
Pointe
Male Technique
Variations
Repertoire
Character Dance
Partnering
Dress Code
Girls
- Black leotard
- Pink tights
- Pink ballet slippers and Pointe shoes
- Hair neatly and securely fastened and pulled away from face
- No jewelry (small ear studs allowed)
- Black character shoes
- Plain Black knee length character skirt
Boys
- White T-shirt
- Black tights
- White or black ballet slippers
- Black character shoes or boots
