Upper Division Summer Intensive

Six-week Intensive for Intermediate and Advanced Students, Ages 11 – 21

June 9 – July 18, 2025

Elevate your ballet training to new heights with six immersive weeks packed with intensive classes and insights from esteemed faculty with a variety of dance expertise. Experience the vibrancy of Phoenix living while honing your skills in ballet technique, pointe work, variations, and a kaleidoscope of dance forms, all with the support of the Ballet Arizona family.

The Summer Intensive provides dedicated ballet students with top-tier classical training, complemented by a broad range of dance styles essential for success in today’s diverse dance world. Additionally, Ballet Arizona Studio Company members are selected directly from this program.

The School of Ballet Arizona’s Summer Intensive spans six weeks of rigorous instruction and welcomes students ages 11 and up. Under the guidance of internationally acclaimed faculty, including members from prestigious companies like American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, Kansas City Ballet, The Washington Ballet, National Ballet of Caracas, and The National Ballet of Canada, students will make significant progress in both technique and artistry.

Beyond intensive training, students experience life in Phoenix and become part of The School of Ballet Arizona community. Classes are held five days a week and cover a comprehensive curriculum, including ballet technique, pointe, men’s technique, variations, repertory, Pilates, flamenco, jazz, modern, Horton, strength and conditioning, and dancer wellness. The program offers a well-rounded approach to developing the versatile skills required for today’s professional dancers.

Audition for Summer Intensive

Audition Tour

Saturday, January 11, 2025 | Littleton, CO
Saturday, January 11 , 2025 | Littleton, CO
Littleton Ballet | 1168 W Littleton Blvd, Littleton, CO 80120
Sunday, January 12, 2025 | Denver, CO
Colorado Ballet | 1075 Santa Fe Drive, Denver CO, 80204
Sunday, January 12, 2025 |  Salt Lake City, UT 
Ballet West | 52 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Saturday, January 18, 2025 | Chicago, IL 
Joffrey Ballet of Chicago | 10 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Sunday, January 19, 2025 |  Overland Park, KS
Kansas School of Classical Ballet | 7330 W 80th St, Overland Park, KS 66204
Saturday, January 25, 2025 |  New York, NY
School of American Ballet |  70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
Saturday, February 1, 2025 | San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Ballet | 455 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Saturday, February 1, 2025 | Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina School for the Arts | 1533 South Main St., Winston-Salem, NC 27127
Sunday, February 2, 2025 | Charlotte, NC
Charlotte Ballet | 701 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Thursday, February 6, 2025 | Sewickley, PA
Wexford Dance Academy | 2611 Nicholson Rd, Ste. 2, Bldg. 2 Sewickley, PA 15143
Friday, February 7. 2025 | Pittsburgh, PA 
Friday, February 7, 2025 | Sewickley, PA
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre | 2900 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Friday, February 7, 2025 | Silver Springs, MD
Maryland Youth Ballet | 926 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Saturday, February 8, 2025 |  Philadelphia, PA
The Rock School | 1101 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Saturday, February 8, 2025 | Nashville, TN 
Nashville Ballet | 3630 Redmon Street, Nashville, TN 37209
Sunday, February 9, 2025 | Columbus, OH 
BalletMet | 322 Mt Vernon Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
Saturday, February 22, 2025 | Miami Beach, FL
Miami City Ballet | 220 Liberty Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33139
Saturday, February 22, 2025 | Houston, TX 
Vitacca School | 2311 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006
Saturday, February 22, 2025 | Houston, TX 
Houston Ballet | 601 Preston Street, Houston, TX 77002
Sunday, February 23, 2025 | Orlando, FL
Orlando Ballet | 600 N Lake Formosa Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
Sunday, February 23, 2025 | San Antonio, TX 
The Ballet Conservatory of South Texas | 5200 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209
Local to Phoenix? Join us for the National Summer Intensive Audition on January 26, 2025! 
Before the Audition:
  • Audition fee is $40, payable in cash or check – card will not be accepted
  • Pre-registration is encouraged, but in-person registration is available up to half an hour before class starts.
  • Bring a headshot photo and a full body photo in the first arabesque (required)
  • Ladies auditioning for the Upper Division program should bring their pointe shoes
Attire and Hair:
  • Female students should wear a solid color leotard and tights and have their hair in a bun.
  • Male students should wear fitted bottoms or tights with a fitted T-shirt.
  • All students should have their hair neat and off of the face.
Can’t make the audition? Send us your video audition! Video auditions will be accepted until April 1, 2025.
Video Auditions:
  • The video should be no longer than 10-15 minutes and include the following – Barre work, center work consisting of adagio, pirouettes, petite and grand allegro.
  • Women – Please include pointe work demonstrating an adagio, pirouettes en dehors and en dedans.
  • Men – Please include tours en l’air with 2 turning combinations

Registration for Summer Intensive auditions opens this winter!

Guest Faculty

Guest faculty information is coming soon!

Tuition and Housing

Tuition Cost

Students may register for consecutive 2, 4, or 6-week sessions. Students will have classes five days a week. Courses offered are ballet technique, pointe, men’s technique, variations, repertory, and Ballet Arizona’s repertory, men’s conditioning, dancer wellness, Pilates, flamenco, strength and conditioning, modern, Horton, jazz, and additional enriching subjects.

Housing Cost

Housing is offered for students interested in staying in a dorm, where meals will be provided. Additional fees apply.

Studio Company

Studio Company members are selected during The School of Ballet Arizona’s Summer Intensive Program.

Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company is an opportunity for students of the highest rank with the potential and desire to become professional dancers. Studio Company members gain professional exposure and train with The School of Ballet Arizona’s School Director as well as Ballet Arizona Artistic Director and staff. An indispensable and important part of their training is understudying and appearing regularly on stage with Ballet Arizona and in Studio Company productions.

Make an Impact

Donors are the heart of our organization. Each instance of support, from donations to volunteering, supports a company of dedicated dancers, dance education and community initiatives all year long. Ready to make a donation?

Make it a holiday to remember! See Ballet Arizona's The Nutcracker December 6th - 24th — LEARN MORE
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