Adult Students: In-Person Intensives Are Back. Who’s Ready for a Ballet Getaway?

Now that our days of quarantining and sheltering in place are (fingers crossed) over, it’s time to start planning for the summer. Dance intensives for adults are more popular than ever, and it’s easy to see why. Days packed with technique classes, variations, pre-pointe and pointe classes, as well as meeting a slew of new ballet besties? Sign us up.

Check out 19 adult summer programs below. Please check the studio’s website for vaccination requirements, detailed health and safety guidelines (including policies on masks, cleaning/hygiene, social distancing) and COVID-19–related cancellation policies.

California

Alonzo King LINES Ballet Adult Dance Intensive

May 26­–29, San Francisco (in-person and virtual)

Head to the City by the Bay for a four-day Adult Dance Intensive geared toward both professional and nonprofessional dancers of all experience levels. Students will take daily classes in ballet technique, plus contemporary, jazz, somatics and global dance, as well as LINES repertoire.

San Francisco Ballet Adult Summer Workshop

June 6–10, San Francisco

For five full days, immerse yourself in beginner/intermediate ballet technique, repertoire classes and Pilates at the oldest professional ballet company in the U.S. San Francisco Ballet’s Adult Ballet Summer Workshop will also offer classes in dance history, injury prevention and an informational session about pointework.

Westside School of Ballet Adult Summer Intensives

June 14–17, July 5–8 and July 12–15, Santa Monica

Savor the beauty of Santa Monica as you take part in a four-day intensive at Westside School of Ballet tailored to the intermediate student. The first session focuses on concentrated center work, while classes in the third session include technique, pas de deux and variations.

KM & Friends Adult Summer Intensive

July 11–15, Huntington Beach

The intensive is sold out, but dancers can be added to the waitlist

In Kathryn Morgan’s inaugural Adult Summer Intensive, students (beginners and intermediate/advanced) will take four classes per day, have Q&A time with Morgan, and enjoy a dinner out with the whole group.

Florida

Broche Ballet International Adult Ballet Festival

June 26–July 1, Miami Beach

The International Adult Ballet Festival organized by Broche Ballet sounds like the best kind of ballet sleepover: Share meals with your fellow dancers at The Confidante at Miami Beach, take multiple master classes, unwind with cocktails, and take part in a showcase when the intensive wraps up.

Illinois

Chicago Ballet Arts Adult Intensive

July 18–24, Evanston

Head to the Windy City for a weeklong Adult Intensive, where dancers can challenge themselves in technique, variations, modern, contemporary, repertoire, conditioning and pre-pointe/pointe classes taught by CBA faculty. 

Kentucky

Louisville Ballet School Adult Summer Intensive

May 30–June 3, Louisville

Jumpstart your summer with Louisville Ballet’s mind.body.balance Adult Summer Intensive, which offers a half-day and full-day option. Students will take technique, pointe, jump strengthening, modern, Pilates, yoga and choreography. A live performance will take place on Saturday, June 4.

Lexington Ballet School Adult Summer Intensive

July 18–22, Lexington

If training in the evenings is more your speed, head to Lexington Ballet School’s Adult Summer Intensive. Classes take place Monday through Friday, 5–9 pm. Spend the day sight-seeing this historic Southern city before taking classes in Pilates, technique, stretch/conditioning and repertoire.

Maryland

Ducon 2022 Adults Program

August 15–27, Gaithersburg

Led by artistic director Runqiao Du, dancers can choose to attend for one week or two weeks, beginning August 15. The Adults Program will focus on technique and pointe classes, as well as special sessions led by professional dancers. A performance opportunity will be offered at the end of each week.

Massachusetts

Brookline Ballet Adult Summer Ballet Intensive

June 22–26, Brookline

Get your wicked ballet game on at Brookline Ballet’s Adult Summer Ballet Intensive, where dancers will split their time between a traditional ballet class and repertoire. The program concludes with an informal performance for family and friends.

New York

Kat Wildish Presents

June 10–23 and August 14–27, New York City (in-person and virtual)

Master teacher Kat Wildish is catering to both in-person classes and the virtual student this summer. In this customized experience, students can pick a five-class/week option or a nine-class/week option. Dancers have the flexibility to choose the classes that make up their intensive, and opt for all in-person, all-virtual or a combination of both.

New York City Ballet’s Ballet Essentials Workshop Weekend

June 16–19, New York City

The intensive is sold out, but dancers can join the waitlist by contacting the Education Department: [email protected]

New York City Ballet’s Ballet Essentials Workshop Weekend is designed for adults with beginner to advanced beginner ballet experience. Students will learn NYCB-inspired choreography, take Pilates and yoga classes, and attend repertoire workshops. The intensive wraps up with an informal performance.

North Carolina

Open Door Studios Adult Ballet Intensive

May 31–June 3, Charlotte

Head to the Queen City for a four-day Adult Ballet Intensive, open to dancers of all skill levels. In addition to technique, variations and pre-pointe/pointe, students will also take class in Progressing Ballet Technique.

Pennsylvania

Amy Novinski Ballet Adult Ballet Workshops

June 27–July 1 and July 11–15, Philadelphia

Head to historic Philadelphia where dancers can join Amy Novinski and other professional instructors in two five-day Vaganova-based Adult Ballet Workshops. One is designed for advanced beginner/intermediate students and the other is for those with no experience at all or beginner-level experience.

South Carolina

Ballet Academy of Charleston Adult Intensives

July 25–29 and August 1–5, Charleston

Work up a sweat with classes aimed at increasing flexibility and stamina, as well as technique, variations, pointe, yoga and Pilates, in these two weeklong Adult Intensives. Students will also be able to explore other dance genres, such as jazz and modern. The workshop has a half-day and full-day option.

Texas

Houston Ballet Adult Intensive

May 31–June 4, Houston

This Adult Intensive is taught at the intermediate/advanced level and includes classes in ballet technique, variations/repertoire, body conditioning and Yamuna Body Rolling. It also includes mini technique workshops that focus on pirouettes and adagio, as well as an open-forum Q&A. Dancers can choose between a two-day or five-day option.

Utah

artÉmotion Adult Ballet Summer Intensive

May 30–June 4, Salt Lake City

Now in its seventh year, this one-week Adult Ballet Summer Intensive for students of all levels—including dance newbies—offers ballet, contemporary, pointe, jazz, modern and variations classes. The half-day program will include two 90-minute technique classes every morning; the full-day option includes the opportunity to be choreographed on for an in-studio performance.

International

The Ballet Retreat

May 29, Leeds, UK

July 16–17, London, UK

August 27–29, Leeds, UK

Escape to England for a one-, two- or three-day immersion experience hosted by The Ballet Retreat. The daily schedule includes a technique class and a repertoire workshop, where students work on a solo from a classic ballet. Each day concludes with a relaxation session.

Morlaix International Adult Ballet Camp

July 8–16, Morlaix, France

Head to Northern France for the Morlaix International Adult Ballet Camp. In addition to traditional technique classes and repertoire, students will rehearse and perform a 90-minute version of the classic Bournonville ballet Napoli at a local theater on Saturday, July 16. A Pilates and stretching session rounds out each day.