Philadelphia Ballet’s Summer Programs Focus on Professional Experience and Wellness
For pre-professional dancers, a summer at the School of Philadelphia Ballet means choosing your own adventure from its roster of expertly crafted experiences, led by school director Davit Karapetyan and Philadelphia Ballet artistic director Angel Corella.
During the five-week Summer Intensive Program, Karapetyan advocates for a balanced, holistic practice that starts well before morning pliés. He emphasizes that SIP students should learn to “eat properly, have the right amount of nutrition, develop strength and well-being, and sleep enough to recover and prevent injuries.” To that end, Philadelphia Ballet has tapped a team of wellness experts in everything from nutrition to physical therapy, Pilates, strength training, and sleep science for workshop sessions throughout the intensive. The diverse curriculum continues in studio with a variety of classes, including ballet technique, pointework, men’s variations, repertoire, contemporary, partnering, body conditioning, acting, music, and flamenco. Karapetyan and other faculty, which will include current and former professional dancers as well as internationally renowned guest artists, will challenge students to expand their technical foundations. For Karapetyan, this versatility is key. He encourages students to “adapt to different styles and choreographic approaches, cultivating a mindset that embraces change.”
Students ages 15 through 21 with professional aspirations can punctuate their summer experience with two unique one-week programs: the Choreographic Workshop and the Company Experience with Angel Corella. In the Choreographic Workshop, participants will receive daily technique classes followed by rehearsals for a brand-new ballet created by a guest choreographer. The Company Experience is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to work directly with a company artistic director. Corella will give daily technique class before leading students in rehearsals of Philadelphia Ballet repertoire.
Summer Intensive Program, Choreographic Workshop, and Company Experience with Angel Corella
Program size:
● Summer Intensive Program: 250–350 students
● Choreographic Workshop: 50 students
● Company Experience: 50 students
Age range (as of start of program):
● Summer Intensive Program: 12–21
● Choreographic Workshop: 15–21
● Company Experience: 15–21
Performance opportunities: Students will participate in a performance at the conclusion of each program.
Tuition: Please visit the website for more information. Scholarships are available.
Room/board: Student housing will be at Drexel University. Kitchens, laundry facilities, lounge areas, and vending machines are located throughout the residence hall. Security is present 24 hours a day. The residential portion of the Summer Intensive Program contributes greatly to the overall experience and pre-professional atmosphere created for the students. Lunch and dinner will be provided. Organized social activities take place on weekends. Past years’ outings have included trips to New York City, Ocean City Beach & Boardwalk, and an evening dinner cruise.
Daily schedule:
● Summer Intensive Program: Approximately 9 am–6 pm. Classes will include classical ballet technique, pointework, men’s classes, partnering, variations, repertoire, flamenco, modern, contemporary, character, acting, Pilates/body conditioning, and wellness seminars.
● Choreographic Workshop: Approximately 9 am–5 pm. Students will have the opportunity to work with a guest choreographer.
● Company Experience: Approximately 9 am–5 pm. Students will work with Angel Corella, artistic director of Philadelphia Ballet.
Additional opportunities: Students may be considered for the School of Philadelphia Ballet’s Trainee Program and/or the second company, Philadelphia Ballet II.
Important dates in 2024: January 7–February 11: Live-audition tour (full details here); June 24–July 27: Summer Intensive Program; July 29–August 3: Choreographic Workshop; August 5–10: Company Experience with Angel Corella
● Touring cities include: Washington, DC, Columbus, Philadelphia, Tampa, Phoenix, Houston, Boca Raton, New York City, Seattle, Irvine, Boston, San Francisco, Denver, Charlotte, and Salt Lake City.
● Live-audition applicants will receive their audition results via email within two weeks of their audition. Video-audition applicants will be notified of their results via email within two weeks of submission.
Registration for the Summer Intensive Program, Choreographic Workshop, and Company Experience is highly competitive and processed on a first-come, first-serve basis. When full capacity is reached, remaining students will be placed on a waitlist.
