Check Out These 2021 Summer Intensives Especially for Adults
After a year of shuttered studios, virtual-only classes, and waving to ballet buddies over Zoom, summer intensives are back. For adult students, packing up for a few days of intensive training might seem like a pipe dream, as many of us spent the last year trying to fit in ballet classes while juggling work and, for those of us with kids, remote learning. With the country opening up again, let’s start planning (safely!) for workshops that allow us to jump into technique, conditioning and, of course, high-elbowing some new friends.
For in-person intensives, please check the studio’s website for detailed health and safety guidelines, including policies on masks, cleaning/hygiene, social distancing, and the policy on having to cancel in-person programs due to COVID-19 restrictions.
CALIFORNIA
Alonzo King LINES Ballet Adult Dance Intensive (virtual only, via Zoom)
May 28–31, San Francisco
Immerse yourself in the celebrated home of Alonzo King, the artistic visionary who created LINES 39 years ago. Now in its second year as a virtual offering, this four-day workshop includes ballet, yoga, Pilates, choreography and contemporary. Students also have the option to drop in to class if they can’t commit to all four days.
Westside School of Ballet
July 5-9, Santa Monica
Head to the sunny shores of Santa Monica, California, for Westside School of Ballet’s Adult Summer Intensive, where intermediate-level students will immerse themselves in technique classes, as well as a class focusing particularly on pirouettes, petit allégro and grand allégro.
ILLINOIS
Chicago Ballet Arts (in-person and virtual)
July 19-25, Chicago
The Windy City welcomes beginning/intermediate dancers to Chicago Ballet Arts’ weeklong Adult Summer Intensive. Geared toward students 18+, the program offers classes in technique, variations, modern, contemporary, conditioning, repertoire and pre-pointe/pointe.
KENTUCKY
Lexington Ballet Adult Ballet Intensive
July 12–16, Lexington
Why should thoroughbreds have all the fun of training in the horse capital of the world? Reach new heights in your training at Lexington Ballet’s Adult Ballet Intensive. Join school directors Luis and Nancy Dominguez and principal instructor Ayoko Lloyd for a five-day workshop that includes conditioning, Pilates, technique and repertoire. All classes are held in the evenings, and the program welcomes beginning through advanced students.
Ayoko Lloyd, Courtesy Lexington Ballet
Louisville Ballet Adult Summer Intensive
May 31–June 4, Louisville
Polish off a glass of sweet tea (or two), and then work up a sweet sweat at Louisville Ballet’s Adult Summer Intensive. Geared towards beginning through advanced levels, students ages 18+ can take part in half- or full days of training. Classes offered include technique, pointe and jump strengthening, modern, Pilates and yoga. Students will also perform in a livestreamed performance on the final day.
MASSACHUSETTS
Brookline Ballet School Adult Summer Ballet Intensive
June 23–27, Brookline
The Red Sox and New England Patriots may get a bulk of the glory in Beantown, but the city is also a mecca for ballet. At Brookline Ballet School’s Adult Summer Ballet Intensive, students (beginner or intermediate level) will spend three weeknights and two weekend mornings in technique and repertoire classes, wrapping up with an informal performance on Sunday afternoon.
NEW YORK
Kat Wildish Presents (virtual, via Zoom)
June 14–25 and July 12–23
Join master ballet teacher Kat Wildish in a virtual intensive that aims to take your training to the next level. Each day, in one-hour classes, Kat will lead students of all levels from basic to advanced in various ballet exercises. The group will be limited to 20 dancers, so each person will get personal attention.
Matthew Venanzi, Courtesy Kat Wildish
OHIO
artÉmotion Adult Ballet Summer Workshop
June 14–19, Cleveland
Head to the Buckeye State for a week of training under the tutelage of Ballet West first soloist Allison DeBona and principal Rex Tilton. In this Adult Ballet Summer Workshop, beginner and intermediate/advanced students will fine-tune their skills in two classes every morning: a 90-minute technique class followed by a one-hour class in one of the following disciplines: pointe/pre-pointe, acting, men’s and women’s variations, conditioning.
PENNSYLVANIA
Amy Novinski
May 24–28 and June 28–July 2, Philadelphia
Those interested in the Vaganova technique may want to check out Amy Novinski’s Adult Workshops. For the five-day May workshop, newbie dancers can look forward to classes devoted to ballet, jazz and yoga. For those more advanced, the June workshop offers more rigorous technique, contemporary ballet, pre-pointe/beginner pointe and jazz.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Ballet Academy of Charleston Adult Summer Intensive
July 26–30 and August 2–6, Charleston
Embrace the low-country charm in historic Charleston, where a weeklong Adult Summer Intensive at the Ballet Academy of Charleston invites beginning through advanced students to take classes in technique, stretching/Pilates/yoga, pre-pointe or pointe (for advanced students), variations, jazz, modern, contemporary and choreography. You may choose the half-day or full-day program.
TEXAS
Houston Ballet Adult Intensive
June 1–5, Houston
For intermediate/advanced students with at least three years of ballet training, Houston Ballet’s Adult Intensive might be the perfect place to hone your skills. The school has two-, three- or five-day options, and includes ballet technique, variations, yoga and Zumba.
UTAH
artÉmotion Adult Ballet Summer Intensive
May 31–June 5, Salt Lake City
ArtÉmotion welcomes students of all levels are welcome at its one-week Adult Ballet Summer Intensive. Classes include ballet, contemporary, pointe, jazz, modern, acting, and men and women’s variations. Available in full-day or half-day options, those dancing only in the morning will take two 90-minute technique classes. The full-day experience offers the opportunity to be choreographed on for an in-studio performance on Saturday, June 5. All students will also have a professional dance photo shoot with Logan Sorenson.
Logan Sorenson, Courtesy artÉmotion
INTERNATIONAL
The August Ballet Retreat in Leeds
August 28–30, Leeds, UK
The three-day August Ballet Retreat in Leeds offers classes for students of all abilities. The mornings are devoted to technique, and in the afternoon, students will focus on repertoire. In the past, The Ballet Retreat has taught solos from Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet and Giselle. One detail is still tentative: If the retreat is unable to take place in person due to the pandemic, it will be offered virtually over Zoom.
Morlaix International Adult Ballet Camp
July 2–10, Morlaix, France
The Morlaix International Adult Ballet Camp is in the heart of France’s Brittany region. In this full-day intensive, intermediate through advanced-level students will be led by an international faculty. Dancers can look forward to morning ballet classes and rehearsals in the afternoon. The week of training wraps up with a performance of Bournonville’s Napoli at a nearby theater. Please contact the school for information about room and board.
