Summer Programs - The Portland Ballet

SUMMER INTENSIVE
YOUNG DANCER SUMMER

Summer Intensive

Summer 2024: July 1 – August 3

Join TPB for our 5-week program for intermediate and advanced dancers ages 11-18. Expand the categories below to explore the programs, including a new performance opportunity!

Audition required for new dancers. Learn more HERE.

Current TPB Curriculum students do not need to audition.

The Portland Ballet offers broad, deep and enriching ballet and contemporary dance instruction. Throughout the five-week Summer Intensive, dancers aged 11-18 stretch their limits in a challenging and disciplined setting. Despite the rigor of the program, TPB ensures that the environment is safe, healthy and nurturing for all dancers.

Not every summer program offers TPB’s blend of intense training and supportive structure. The right choice can have a profound effect on how much a dancer achieves during those precious summer months. TPB’s program specifically targets the needs and goals of aspiring dancers, helping push them to the next level while reinforcing their foundations.

Classes include ballet technique, pointe, variations, men’s technique, modern/contemporary, hip-hop, musical theater, and strength training. Seminars include nutrition, self-care, injury prevention, dance history, career talk, music for dancers, and more.

New this year is a performance opportunity! Dancers participating in the entire five-week program will perform in a full-produced concert with costumes and lighting. Works in the program will include excerpts from a classical ballet, a piece by George Balanchine, and new contemporary works created during the program.

The Portland Ballet attracts a faculty of dance teachers with distinguished professional experience at companies in North America and Europe. The teachers and choreographers focus their expertise completely on the young dancers, providing concentrated, individual attention to every student. Visiting instructors offer fresh insight and perspectives, as well as valuable connections to companies throughout the ballet world. Both resident and visiting teachers work with dancers to develop their skills and push their limits.

All of TPB’s teachers work with a dynamic and proven curriculum. TPB’s approach rests on the Russian method of ballet mastery – the approach most famously taught and Americanized by George Balanchine. TPB’s syllabus remains unmatched in the Portland area for breadth, depth and flexibility. It also includes the region’s only Men’s Ballet Program, taught by male teachers and designed specifically for the needs and strengths of young male dancers. See the “Guest Teacher” section for a list of our fantastic guest teachers.

The Summer Intensive program is in session Monday through Saturday. TPB provides classes in: ballet technique, pointe, variations, men’s technique, modern, contemporary, and core/stretch, as well as a lecture series that includes music appreciation, dancer wellness and dance history. Dancers spend the last part of each day in workshop rehearsals, preparing for the performance at the end of the program.

After the audition and video audition deadline, TPB will email out letters of acceptance.

Dancers may register for all five weeks, three weeks, or single weeks of the program. Tuition for all five weeks is $2,950. Tuition for three weeks is $1,950. Tuition for a single week is $950.

Upon notification of acceptance, a non-refundable deposit of $350 will be due by April 15, 2024. The remaining balance will be due in two installments, on May 13, 2024 and June 10, 2024 or may be paid in full on May 13, 2024. Cash payments are not accepted. All payments must be made with valid Visa/MasterCard/American Express/Discover. Tuition is non-refundable.

All students must read and follow the TPB policies, which are laid out in the Student Handbook. TPB reserves the right to dismiss any student who does not follow the guidelines.

Financial aid scholarships are available upon acceptance into the program. For scholarship information click here or email registration for a scholarship application. There is a $60 application fee. Scholarship applications are due April 1, 2024. Scholarship applicants are required to submit a $100 non-refundable deposit to hold the dancers place.

Host families may be available for out-of-town dancers. Please contact admissions with any housing questions.

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains, Portland boasts the best of both urban culture and natural scenery. The TPB studios are located in the Hillsdale neighborhood, ten minutes from the city center. Enjoy Oregon’s legendary summer weather while working with some of the finest ballet and contemporary dance professionals in the United States. For help locating housing or to learn more about accommodation in the Portland metro area, please contact TPB.

Please submit an audition registration form with your video by mail or by email.

Dancers must provide a digital headshot along with an audition video. Videos must be less than 6 months old.

Barre Work

(maximum of 5 minutes; only one side needed of each combination)
Pliés, tendus, adagio, grands battements

Centre Work

(maximum 10 minutes)
Pirouette combination with pirouettes en-dehors and en-dedans, adagio

Allegro combinations:

Small jumps, petit allegro, medium size allegro, including assemblés, jetés, sissonnes, etc.

Pointe Work

(for ladies currently dancing on pointe)
Warm up échappés, retirés, double pirouettes en-dehors and en-dedans on pointe, fouettés

Guest teachers for the 2024 Summer Ballet Intensive include LeeWei Chao, Carter Alexander, Jeff Stanton, Natasha Bar, Bunky Williams, and Chauncey Parsons.

Young Dancer Summer

Summer 2024: July 1 – August 2

The Young Dancer Summer program is a five-week session for dancers aged 6-12 that builds on the technical skills developed during the curriculum year while also pushing students to deepen their foundation. The program provides weekly or bi-weekly classes for Level 1 through Level 4 students, along with a rotating class featuring other styles of dance, including hip-hop, contemporary, and modern. Dancers who hope to move up to the next level for the upcoming curriculum year can use the YDS to prepare. Those simply looking to stay active and enjoy dance throughout the summer have the opportunity to work with excellent teachers and dance with peers.

Dancers new to TPB must audition for placement. Please click here for audition information.

Current TPB students will receive notification of summer placement in Spring of 2024.

Audition: Call 503-452-8448 or Email [email protected] for information

All auditions are held at The Portland Ballet Studios: 6250 SW Capitol Hwy.

Please wear a simple leotard, pink tights and ballet slippers or black tights, a white t-shirt/leotard and ballet slippers.

Dancers who are not currently enrolled in The Portland Ballet’s Curriculum program are welcome to attend the Young Dancer Summer. Current students do not need to audition, as they continue in their Curriculum Ballet level for the summer. Registration will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

All students must read and follow the TPB policies, which are laid out in a handbook distributed to enrolled students. We reserve the right to dismiss any student who does not follow the guidelines.

To register, contact admissions or call 503.452.8448. Register early, as class size is limited.

Please pay for the session at the time of registration. We accept checks, cash, VISA, Mastercard, Amex, & Discover. Tuition payments are not tax-deductible as a charitable donation, and we do not provide refunds.

YDS 2024 Schedule

Schedule:

L1 – Thursdays 4:15-5:15pm plus rotating class Tuesday 4:30-5:30pm $275

L2 – Mon/Wed 3:45-4:45pm plus rotating class Tuesday 4:30-5:30pm $375

L3 – Mon/Wed 4:45-6:00 plus rotating class Tuesday 3:15-4:15pm $420

L4 – Tues/Thurs 4:30-6:00pm plus rotating class Tuesday 3:15-4:15pm $460

Female dancers should wear a black or 2023-24 curriculum leotard with pink tights and pink full-soled ballet slippers or skin-tone tights with skin-tone ballet slippers. Male dancers should wear a close-fitting t-shirt, black tights with sewn suspenders(Levels 3 + 4) or black ballet shorts (Levels 1 + 2), black full-soled ballet slippers (with socks for Level 1 + 2).