Calling All Adult Ballet Students! These 2023 Summer Intensives Are Just for You

Updated on 4/27/23

Dust off those suitcases, dancers! It’s almost summer, which means ballet intensives are approaching quickly. Whether you’ve been busting your bum all year in class or you’re ready to delve back in after taking a break, scores of studios all over the U.S. (and a few abroad) are gearing up to welcome adult students of all dance levels. Take a look at this hefty list and prep, pack, and go.

Arizona

Ballet Tucson Adult Summer Workshop

June 5–9 and June 12–16, Tucson

Head to the Southwest for a two-week program designed for beginning through intermediate and advanced students. In addition to a technique class, the intensive also offers variations, and a Dancer Fit Class—an engaging fusion of cardio and dance.

California

Alonzo King LINES Ballet Adult Choreography Intensive

June 1–4, San Francisco

Spend four days at the home of the celebrated Alonzo King LINES Ballet. The Adult Choreography Intensive gives dancers the opportunity to learn and perform three short pieces after working alongside three different choreographers of three separate genres of dance: ArVejon Jones (jazz), Kate Roy (contemporary), and Victor Talledos (contemporary ballet).

KM & Friends Adult Summer Intensives

July 3–7 and July 10–14, Huntington Beach

YouTube star and former New York City Ballet soloist Kathryn Morgan will host two Summer Ballet Retreats in sunny Huntington Beach, California. In addition to five days of classes and seminars, dancers will take part in a personalized photo shoot and a variety of social events, like movie night, a beach excursion, and a dancewear shopping trip.

San Francisco Ballet’s Adult Ballet Summer Workshop

June 5–10, San Francisco

Head to the home of the innovative, world-renowned San Francisco Ballet for its six-day Adult Ballet Summer Workshop, ideal for beginning through advanced dancers. In addition to technique and repertoire classes, students will take part in sessions on dance history, music, injury prevention, and pointework.

Westside School of Ballet’s Summer Intensives

June 13–16 and August 8–11, Santa Monica

Soak in the coastal vibes of SoCal while you sweat it out at Westside School of Ballet’s summer workshops. The June intensive is geared toward beginning students, while the August intensive is tailored towards intermediate and advanced students. Faculty may include principal dancers from New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.

Florida

Broche Ballet’s International Adult Ballet Festival

June 25–30, Downtown Miami

“Eat, dance, play, and repeat.” That’s the motto of the creators of the International Adult Ballet Festival. Dancers can look forward to daily classes, lunch with their peers, breakout sessions on pointework, and deep dives on artistry. The week includes free time to explore Miami (and chill by the pool) and culminates with a showcase for those wanting to perform.

Orlando Ballet’s FTD Summer Adult Intensive

August 2–6, Orlando

Orlando Ballet’s Fitness Thru Dance Adult Summer Intensive aims to help adult students of all skill levels improve their technique and gain experience in a rehearsal setting. Dancers may choose between the FTD Intensive Technique Program or the FTD Intensive Technique Program and Choreography. Classes in technique will be followed by a workshop class, finishing with an optional choreography add-on for students who wish to perform on the final day of the intensive.

Idaho

Ballet Idaho Adult Summer Intensive

August 7–11, Boise

If you’re looking for a workshop with some culinary extras, this five-day intensive offers ballet (technique, variations, and conditioning), contemporary, choreography, character, acting and mime, plus an evening of wine tasting and movement. Dancers will also enjoy a backyard gathering over wood-fired pizza.

Illinois

Chicago Ballet Arts’ Adult Intensive

July 17–23, Chicago

Immerse yourself in the storied Chicago dance scene with this weeklong intensive, ideal for students of all levels. Classes include ballet technique, variations, modern, contemporary, repertoire, conditioning, and pre-pointe/pointe. The week wraps up with an informal showing of work staged on or choreographed for participants.

Joffrey Ballet Academy’s Adult Summer Intensive

Dates TBA, Chicago

Bask in the ambiance of Chicago’s premier ballet company. Dancers, taught by Joffrey Academy’s acclaimed faculty, will develop technique, learn classical repertoire, and build strength and flexibility through challenging, engaging classes. In addition to ballet, participants will take jazz and modern plus stretching, yoga, West African, or Pilates.

Kentucky

Lexington Ballet School’s Adult Summer Intensive

July 10–14, Lexington

Head to the heart of Bluegrass Country for five evenings of ballet. Ideal for those looking for a night-only option, Lexington Ballet School’s weeknight summer intensive begins at 5 pm and wraps at 9. Classes include technique, repertoire, Pilates, and stretch/conditioning.

Louisville Ballet’s Adult Summer Intensive

May 29–June 3 and June 5–9, Louisville

You can bet that the hometown of the greatest athlete of all time—Muhammad Ali—will have you striving to be your ballet best. These full-day, half-day, and evening-only intensives are suited to all levels and offer classes in technique, pointe, jump strengthening, modern, Pilates, yoga, and choreography. Students will have a chance to take part in a livestreamed performance on the final day of the program.

Maryland

Ducon Summer Intensive

August 14–26, Gaithersburg

Round out your summer with ballet master Runqiao Du in a two-week or one-week intensive. Classes include technique, classical variation coaching, pointe, and repertoire, with an additional opportunity to perform. An added plus? Ten virtual classes are included, for even more training at home.

Massachusetts

The Brookline Ballet School’s Adult Summer Ballet Intensive

June 21–25, Brookline

Sure, Boston is known for its legendary ballers (think Patriots and Red Sox), but it’s also got serious ballet chops. At Brookline Ballet’s evening and weekend intensive, students will dive into technique classes and repertoire, where they will learn a portion of a classical ballet to perform at an informal showing on the final day of class.

New York

Kat Wildish Summer Intensive

June 12–17 and August 7–12, New York City (in-person and virtual)

Kat Wildish’s “create your own summer intensive” lets students choose the classes they want to take—from ballet to pointe to mindful stretching. In these flexible workshops, dancers can opt for in-person, virtual or a combination of both. The cost varies depending on the number of classes taken, and students have the option to return in November for a fall performance. 

New York City Ballet’s Ballet Essentials Workshop Weekends

June 22–25* and August 3–6*, New York City

What better place to spend a week dancing than the storied halls of the New York City Ballet? In this four-day workshop, beginner through advanced students will start each morning with a warm-up or company class, after which they will learn NYCB-inspired choreography. In addition to repertory workshops, participants will observe an exclusive in-studio lecture demonstration featuring NYCB company members, take Pilates and yoga classes, and be given special behind-the-scenes experiences. The weekend will wrap up with the chance to perform for family and friends.

*Both sessions are sold out; check the website to join the waitlist.

Nevada

Desert Chamber Ballet Intensive

June 5–9, Las Vegas

Instead of hitting the slots or catching a show in Sin City, hit the barre for a five-day intensive for adult students of all levels.

North Carolina

Open Door Studios Adult Ballet Intensive

June 5–9, Charlotte

The Queen City may be a NASCAR hub, but if ballet is more your thing, race over to Open Door Studios for a five-day intensive focusing on technique, variations, and pre-pointe/pointe. Dancers will start each day with Progressing Ballet Technique, ideal for developing muscle memory. Two Deep Stretch/Gyrokinesis sessions will be offered as well.

Pennsylvania

Amy Novinski’s Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Summer Workshop

June 26–30 and July 10–14, Philadelphia (in-person and virtual)

Dancers with at least four years of training are invited to join former Tulsa Ballet dancer Amy Novinski for a five-day Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Workshop geared toward building strength, stamina, and artistry. In July, absolute beginners can join a workshop for those with little or no experience. 

Texas

Houston Ballet Academy Adult Intensive

May 30–June 3, Houston

Geared toward intermediate and advanced students, Houston Ballet Academy’s intensive includes classes in ballet technique, variations/repertoire, contemporary, body conditioning, and Yamuna Body Rolling. Students will also be able to take technique workshops focusing on pirouettes, adagio, and an open-forum Q&A, which gives participants the opportunity to ask technical questions. Dancers can choose between a five-day or a two-day session.

Utah

artÉmotion Adult Ballet Summer Intensive

May 29–June 3, Salt Lake City

Head to Utah’s capital for a weeklong intensive for beginning through advanced students. In addition to technique classes, students will have the chance to take contemporary, pointe, jazz, modern, and variations. Those enrolled in the full-day experience have the opportunity to be choreographed on for a performance on the final day of the intensive.  

International

Ballet With Isabella Adult Summer Intensive

August 21–25, London

Tailored toward students who have an in-depth knowledge of ballet terminology and steps, this five-day intensive includes a two-hour class in Vaganova technique, pre-pointe/pointe, repertoire, and a performance opportunity at the end of the week. Dancers can expect about 25-30 hours of studio time.

The Ballet Retreat

May 27–28 and July 15–16, London, England

Spend a couple of days across the pond with The Ballet Retreat’s intensive, where students will start each day with a warm-up session, followed by ballet class. Dancers will then have a repertoire workshop, where they will work on a solo from one of the classics. Afterwards, teachers will lead a cooldown and relaxation session.

Morlaix International Ballet Summer Intensive for Adults

July 7–15, Morlaix, France

If you’ve been longing to visit France (and who hasn’t?), Morlaix’s international summer dance camp gives students the chance to learn and perform a complete ballet from the classical repertoire alongside professional ballet dancers. After ballet classes and rehearsals, students will end each day with Pilates and stretching.