Close
ACA_Summer_Intensive_Header_Banner.jpg

SUMMER INTENSIVE 2025  
june 11 - july 11


2-week session: Wednesday, June 11 – Saturday, June 21
 
3-week session: Monday, June 23 – Friday, July 11 
5-week session: Wednesday, June 11 – Friday, July 11

AGES 10-20, by audition only. Female identifying students ages 12-20 must be on pointe.
Eligible students participating in our Summer Intensive are assessed for
Colorado Ballet Studio Company and Pre-Professional Division.

CHOREOGRAPHIC WORKSHOP 2025  
jULY 14 - 18

AGES 14-20, by audition or invitation 
Eligible students participating in our Summer Intensive and Choreographic Workshop are
assessed for Colorado Ballet Studio Company and Pre-Professional Division
.
 (see below)

young dancer WORKSHOP 2025   
JUne 16 - august 1

  AGES 8-12, by audition only. For students not yet en pointe.  

Session 1: Monday, June 16 – Friday, June 27 
Session 2: Monday, July 7 – Friday, July 18 
Session 3: Monday, June 21 – Friday, August 1
Learn more about the Young Dancer Workshop
 

“It’s a pleasure to watch young students train with such focus and determination for their futures. Colorado Ballet Summer Intensive nurtures students beyond the classroom into budding professionals.” – Gil BoggsArtistic Director, Colorado Ballet 

AUDITION DETAILS

Audition fees increase the Thursday before each audition. Walk-up registration is always available day of.

audition tour dates & registration

Pre-Registration: $40 
Walk-up Registration: $45 

Pre-Registration closes at 5:00pm MST the Thursday before each audition date. All audition fees are non-refundable, regardless of circumstance. 

Female identifying students ages 12-20 must be on pointe. Students ages 10-12 who are not en pointe and attending a Summer Intensive audition at a location other than Colorado Ballet will be considered for our Young Dancer Workshop. 

Steps to Register for an Audition: 

  • Complete online registration and payment for the audition location of your choice.  
  • Within the online registration, you will be prompted to submit the following required photos:  
  • - (1) 4”x6” photo in first arabesque (en pointe if applicable)  
  • - (1) 4”x6” headshot portrait  
  • - Photos do not need to be professional quality but must clearly portray the student.

Saturday, January 4, 2025 
Colorado Ballet Academy 
1075 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204 
Ages 10-14 
Audition Check-In: 10:00am-10:30am MST 
Audition Class: 10:30am-12:00pm MST 
Fee: $40.00 

Ages 15-20 
Audition Check-In: 12:30-1:00pm MST 
Audition Class: 1:00am-2:30pm MST 
Fee: $40.00

Saturday, January 4, 2025 
Oregon Ballet Theatre 
720 S Bancroft St, Portland, OR 97239 
Ages 10-20 
Audition Check-In: 9:30am-10:00am PST 
Audition Class: 10:00am-11:30am PST 
Fee: $40.00 

Saturday, January 4, 2025 
Joffrey Ballet 
10 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601 
Ages 10-20 
Audition Check-In: 6:00-6:30pm CST 
Audition Class: 6:30-8:30 CST 
Fee: $40.00

Sunday, January 5, 2025 
Pacific Northwest Ballet 
301 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109 
Ages 10-20 
Audition Check-In: 3:30pm – 4:00pm PST
Audition Class: 4:00pm – 6:00pm PST 
Fee: $40.00

Friday, January 10, 2025 
Southland Ballet Academy 
9527 Garfield Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 
Ages: 10-20  
Audition Check-In: 3:30-4:00pm PST 
Audition: 4:00-5:30pm PST 
Fee: $40.00

Saturday, January 11, 2025 
Ballet Austin 
501 West 3rd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 
Ages: 10-20 
Audition Check-In: 2:30-3:00pm CST 
Audition: 3:00-4:30pm CST 
Fee: $40.00

Saturday, January 11, 2025 
San Elijo Dance and Music Academy 
1635 S Rancho Santa Fe Rd #203, San Marcos, CA 92078 
Ages 10-20  
Audition Check-In: 12:30-1:00pm PST 
Audition Class: 1:00-2:30pm PST 
Fee: $40.00 

Sunday, January 12, 2025 
San Francisco Ballet 
455 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94102 
Ages: 10-20 
Audition Check-In: 1:00-1:30pm PST 
Audition Class: 1:30-3:30pm PST  
Fee: $40.00

Sunday, January 12, 2025 
Texas Ballet Theatre 
6118 Luther Lane, Dallas, TX 75225 
Ages: 10-20 
Audition Check-In: 1:00-1:30pm CST 
Audition Class: 1:30-3:00pm CST 
Fee: $40.00

Sunday, January 12, 2025 
Philadelphia Ballet 
323 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 
Ages: 10-20 
Audition Check-In: 5:00-5:30pm EST 
Audition: 5:30-7:00pm EST 
Fee: $40.00

Sunday, January 19, 2025 
Ballet Arizona 
2835 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85034 
Ages: 10-20 
Audition Check-In: 5:00-5:30pm MST 
Audition Class: 5:30-7:00pm MST  
Fee: $40.00

Sunday, January 26, 2025 
Nevada Ballet Theatre 
1651 Inner Cir, Las Vegas, NV 89134 
Ages: 10-20 
Audition Check-In: 6:00-6:30pm PST 
Audition: 6:30-8:00pm PST 
Fee: $40.00 

Saturday, February 1, 2025 
Ballet West 
52 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 
Ages 10-20  
Audition Check-In: 4:00-4:30pm MST 
Audition Class: 4:30-6:30pm MST 
Fee: $40.00

Sunday, February 2, 2025 
Colorado Ballet Academy 
1075 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204    

Ages 10-14 
Audition Check-In: 10:00am-10:30am MST 
Audition Class: 10:30am-12:00pm MST 
Fee: $40.00

Ages 15-20 
Audition Check-In: 12:30-1:00pm MST 
Audition Class: 1:00am-2:30pm MST 
Fee: $40.00

Sunday, February 9, 2025 
Houston Ballet  
601 Preston, Houston, TX 77002 
Ages 10-20 
Audition Check-In: 12:00-12:30pm CST 
Audition Class: 12:30-2:00pm CST 
Fee: $40.00 

Sunday, February 9, 2025 
Boston Ballet  
19 Clarendon St, Boston, MA 02116 
Ages 10-20 
Audition Check-In: 11:00-11:30am EST 
Audition Class: 11:30am-1:00pm EST 
Fee: $40.00

Sunday, February 16, 2025 
Colorado Ballet Academy 
1075 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204   

Ages 10-14 
Audition Check-In: 10:00am-10:30am MST 
Audition Class: 10:30am-12:00pm MST 
Fee: $40.00

Ages 15-20 
Audition Check-In: 12:30-1:00pm MST 
Audition Class: 1:00pm-2:30pm MST 
Fee: $40.00 

video audition information & registration

Colorado Ballet Academy gives the same priority to those who audition in person or via video audition.   

Details: 

- Video registration fee $50. 
- All audition fees are non-refundable, regardless of circumstances. 
- Videos must be recorded and uploaded to a video sharing site such as YouTube or Vimeo 
- Please make sure the visibility settings for the video are set to public. 
- Video must be recorded between October 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. 

All videos must be received by no later than March 31, 2025. 

- Early video audition submissions are encouraged as the deadline may change as the program is filled. 
- Videos will be reviewed upon receipt and results will be communicated within six (6) weeks. Due to the number of auditions, we are unable to provide individual feedback. 

  • Audition dress code:
    - Female identifying students must wear a solid color leotard and pink or skin toned tights with matching flat and pointe shoes 
    - Male identifying students must wear a fitted white shirt and black tights with black or white ballet shoes. 
    - Students shall have the right to dress in accordance with their gender identity, within the dress code requirements stated by CBA.
  •  

     The audition video should be no more than 10 minutes in length and include the following: 

    Barre
    - Ages 10-13, one side only with tendu, degage, rond de jamb and adagio.
    - Ages 14-20 do not need to
    submit barre work

    Center floor work 
    - Adagio 
    - Pirouette combination 
    - Petit allegro 
    - Grand allegro 

  • Pointe work for female identifying students  
    - Echappe 
    - Releve in arabesque 
    - Pirouettes en pointe 
    - Diagonal turning combination 

  • Men’s technique for male identifying students   
    - Tour en l’aire 
    - Petit allegro with batterie
    - Men’s grand allegro  
    - Grand pirouettes 

    • If also auditioning for CBA’s Pre-Professional Division, the video should include a classical variation.

     
Steps to submit video audition 

- Complete online registration and payment for the video audition.  
- Within the online registration, you will be prompted to submit your video link along with the following required photos: 
 

- (1) 4”x6” photo in first arabesque (en pointe if applicable)  
- (1) 4”x6” headshot portrait  
Photos do not need to be professional quality but must clearly portray the student.

This form must be completed immediately upon receiving receipt in order to participate in the audition. Failure to fill out this form will result in a delay in the processing of the student’s audition results, and/or the student will not be evaluated. Receipt will be generated from Colorado Ballet Ticketing and sent to the email address provided during the registration process.

  •   
national summer intensive audition tour

Registration Details: 

In addition to CBA’s SI Audition Registration, your confirmation email will contain a link to complete an NSIA audition form. 

The NSIA audition form must be completed immediately upon receipt in order to participate in the audition. Failure to fill out this form will result in a delay in the processing of the student’s audition results, and/or the student will not be evaluated. 

Online registration for NSIA closes on Friday, January 17, 2025. 

For more information on NSIA, please visit https://nsiatour.squarespace.com/

Sunday, January 19, 2025 
Colorado Ballet Academy 
1075 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204 

Ages 11-14 
Registration 8:30-9:00am MST 
Audition 9:00-11:00am MST 
Fee: $150.00

Ages 15-16 
Registration 11:00-11:30am MST 
Audition 11:30am-1:30pm MST 
Fee: $150.00

Ages 17-20 
Registration 1:30-2:00pm MST 
Audition 2:00-4:00pm MST 
Fee: $150.00

audition tour information
  • - Online registration closes at 5:00pm MST on the Thursday before each audition. 
    - All audition fees are non-refundable, regardless of circumstance. 

    Audition Dress Code
     
    - Female identifying students must wear a black leotard and pink or skin toned tights with matching flat and pointe shoes  
    - Male identifying students must wear a fitted white shirt and black tights with black or white ballet shoes.   
    - Students shall have the right to dress in accordance with their gender identity, within the dress code requirements stated by CBA.   

  • Health and Safety Protocols 
    - No student will be permitted to enter the Colorado Ballet Armstrong Center for Dance if they have tested positive for Covid within the past 5 days. If a student is within 6-10 days after testing positive, they will be required to wear a face mask. 
    - All students attending a CBA Summer Intensive audition at one of the audition tour cities must comply with the health and safety protocols set forth by each institution. 

what to expect at your live audition

Students should arrive at the audition warmed up and ready to dance. Please be prepared to dance an abbreviated barre, center combinations, pointe work and male steps. Students may be asked to repeat combinations several times in order to be adjudicated fairly. Advanced females should wear pointe shoes for center work. 

Our Summer Intensive accommodates pointe and male training from beginning to advanced/professional levels. Students should not feel pressured to execute any steps they have not learned or are not comfortable dancing during the audition. For example, if a student has not learned pirouettes in the center en pointe, they should not attempt the combination and let the instructor know.

20240618_CBA_SI_0011.jpg

Summer Intensive students by Andrew Fassbender

shine brightly

Summer Intensive 2025 | June 11– July 11 

Colorado Ballet Academy offers a Summer Intensive designed for dancers looking for an encouraging environment where they can push their boundaries, unleash their inner artistry and expand their versatility. Intermediate through pre-professional level students refine their dance fundamentals with internationally renowned master teachers and CBA’s own accomplished faculty. Dancers gain physical and mental strength enabling them to have the freedom to discover their own artistic voice.

program overview

Ages 10-20. Females must be en pointe to participate in Summer Intensive. Students who are not en pointe may participate in our Young Dancer Workshop.

Students will be assigned to one of four levels. Level 1 is designed for students with 3 months to three years of experience en pointe. In addition, within Level 1, students may be invited to participate in a separate pointe class dedicated to building the fundamentals of pointe work. Levels 2 through 4 are designed for students who have been en pointe two or more years.  

Summer Intensive core curriculum consists of level specific classes in ballet technique, pointe, male conditioning and technique, variations and pas de deux, dramatic scene work, modern, contemporary, jazz, character and Flamenco. 

Supplemental classes in distinct types of conditioning for dancers including Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT), Pilates, Yoga, Gyrokinesis, Musical Fundamentals for dancers and cross training. 

Life Skills classes that include injury prevention, nutrition, dance history and careers in dance arts.

Dance in one of eight studios housed in our state-of-the-art building in the heart of Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe Drive. The Armstrong Center for Dance is home to Colorado Ballet.

Two, three, and five-week sessions are offered to accommodate summer schedules. The two-week session will conclude with an informal demonstration in Colorado Ballet’s Black Box Theater at the Armstrong Center for Dance. The three and five-week sessions will conclude with a performance at the King Center located on the CU Denver campus.

Two, three, and five-week sessions are offered to accommodate summer schedules. Every session will conclude with students participating in a performance in Colorado Ballet Armstrong Center for Dance Black Box Theater with professional sound and lighting.

Summer Intensive students have the opportunity to be considered for CBA's year-long Pre-Professional Division and Colorado Ballet Studio Company, pending availability. 

Physical therapy is available to students from Colorado Ballet’s in-house providers.
 

Private and semi-private Pilates sessions are available on site at Colorado Ballet.

Suite-style air-conditioned housing is available on the beautiful University of Colorado Denver campus located in Downtown Denver.

Colorado Ballet’s Company Dancers fulfill the role of chaperones, providing mentorship and a positive environment to students residing in CU Denver’s housing.  

Optional catered lunch available for non-dorm students from restaurants such as Panera, Illegal Petes, Tokyo Joe’s and Garbanzo. Catered lunch is included for students staying in CU Denver’s housing.  

Students residing in CU Denver’s housing participate in weekly activities outside the studio that include but are not limited to attending performances at Denver Performing Arts Center, sporting events, and amusement parks. Amongst Colorado’s beautiful mountain landscape, these activities provide a well-rounded and positive cultural experience.

Program Details

newhome-retouched_CMYK-0001.jpg
CU_Denver.jpeg
tuition, housing, & fees

2 Week Session: June 11 – June 21, 2025* | Tuition $1,695 | Housing package $1,595 
3 Week Session: June 23 – July 11, 2025 | Tuition $2,395 | Housing package $2,295 
5 Week Session: June 11 – July 11, 2025* | Tuition $3,395 | Housing package $3,395 

The housing package includes apartment style living in airconditioned two-bedroom, two-bath suites shared amongst 4 students per unit. All meals and transportation to and from the CBA Studios are included in the housing package. 

No classes will be held on July 4, 2025. 

*The 2 Week and 5 Week sessions will begin on Wednesday, June 11. Students enrolled in those sessions will have full Saturday class schedules on June 14 and June 21.   

Residential Student Fees 
Registration Fee $100 
2 Week Activity Fee $200 
3 Week Activity Fee $300 
5 Week Activity Fee $400  

Non-residential Student Fees 
Registration Fee $100 
Optional 2 Week Catered Lunch Fee $195 
Optional 3 Week Catered Lunch Fee $295 
Optional 5 Week Catered Lunch Fee $495 

 *Lunch fees are included in the price of housing for students residing in the dorms. 

Sample schedule

Classes are held Monday through Friday 11:00am-5:00pm and Saturdays 11:00am-2:30pm or 11:00am-5:00pm. 
No classes will be held on July 4, 2025

11:00am-12:45pm: Ballet Technique
12:45-1:00pm: Break
1:00-2:15pm: Pas de deux/ Pointe Variations
2:25-2:45pm: Lunch
3:00-4:00pm: Jazz/Contemporary
4:00-5:00pm: Repertoire 

health and safety protocols

Colorado Ballet Academy continues to assess COVID-19 as well as other illnesses and appropriate health and safety protocols. At this time, CBA does not require COVID vaccinations for our Summer Intensive.

residential experience

New for 2025, housing is now an option for YDW Students accompanied by a Parent or Legal Guardian. Families will reside at the University of Colorado Denver in airconditioned two-bedroom, two-bath suites shared with another Student and Parent or Legal Guardian in the unit. The beautiful CU Denver campus is located in the heart of Downtown Denver within easy walking distance to RTD Light Rail and the CBA studios. Security is provided on the campus via CU Denver’s Security Staff and the issuance of a CU Denver ID which provides access to the dorms, cafeteria, and other select buildings exclusively to permitted students and staff. 

The residential meal plan consists of breakfast and dinner on campus Monday-Friday, for both the Student and Parent or Legal Guardian. On Saturdays and Sundays, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided on campus. 

Colorado Ballet Academy also offers weekend outings for all residential students and their Parent or Legal Guardian. Transportation is provided, and all outings are covered by the residential student activity fee. Parking is also available at CU Denver, for an additional fee.

Past CBA activities included: 
- Performances at Denver Center for the Performing Arts 
- Colorado Rockies baseball game 
- July 4 Celebration with Colorado Symphony
- Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
- Local dance performances at a variety of venues
- Local tour attractions around the city of Denver
- University of Colorado Denver events  

faq

How are students chosen for Summer Intensive? 
Summer Intensive is by audition only. Students are assessed based on their technique, overall ability, physical attributes, strength, focus, attitude, and previous classical ballet training, as well as the ability to receive and apply correction.  

When will I find out if I have been accepted? 
For in-person auditions, results will be communicated via email within two weeks. 

For video auditions, results will be communicated via email within six weeks.   

Students who are accepted will be asked to respond by the deadline provided in the acceptance letter. Registration fee, as well as tuition and housing deposits are due upon acceptance. Those who do not register by their deadline will be placed on a waitlist. Due to the number of auditions, no feedback will be provided.  

Are there different levels within the program? How and when does level placement happen?  
Students will be assigned to one of four levels. Level 1 is designed for students with 3 months to three years of experience en pointe. In addition, within Level 1, students may be invited to participate in a separate pointe class dedicated to building the fundamentals of pointe work. Levels 2 through 4 are designed for students who have been en pointe two or more years. Level assignment is pre-assessed during the student’s audition for the Summer Intensive. Placement classes on the first day of each session will determine final level placements. CBA does not allow requests for a change in level placement from students and/or their parents/guardians. 

Is it possible to attend a portion of one session? 
Partial sessions are not allowed. 

Are scholarships or financial aid available? 
A limited number of scholarships are available and awarded on a case by case basis during the time of audition. We are unable to offer financial aid for our summer programs.    

Can parents observe classes? Will there be a performance at the end of the session? 
Parents are not allowed to observe classes but there are performances at the end of each session that parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

For students attending the two-week session, parents will have the opportunity to attend a performance on Saturday, June 22 2024. 

For students attending the three and five week sessions, parents will have the opportunity to attend a performance on Friday, July 12, 2024.

What is the dress code for Summer Intensive? 
Women: black leotard, pink or skin toned tights, footless pink or black tights for modern class, pink ballet slippers pointe shoes, black character shoes, black character skirt, jazz shoes.  

Men: white t-shirt, black tights, black jazz pants, black or white ballet slippers with socks, jazz shoes, character shoes

What is a daily schedule like? 
A typical day includes 4-6 hours of dance with supplemental conditioning, lectures and focused training. Weekly hours are either M-F from 10:00-4:30 or 11:00-5:30 and Saturdays from 10:00-1:30 or 10:00-4:30. Summer Intensive curriculum consists of level specific classes in ballet technique, pointe, male specific conditioning and technique, variations, pas de deux, dramatic scene work, modern, contemporary, jazz, character, Flamenco, cross training, PBT and Pilates. Supplemental classes may include career talks with professional dancers and master teachers, injury prevention, nutrition, dance history, and music for dance.  

When can I check in to the dorms? Can I check in early? 
Check-in details will be communicated prior to the start of each session. Due to scheduling constraints with the University of Colorado Denver, check-in arrival times will vary for each session. 

Can I request to room with a specific person? How are roommates assigned? 
Students may request a roommate on this form, but requests are not guaranteed. Our chaperones pair students based on age, gender and mutual roommate requests.   

Is airport transportation available? 
Yes, airport transportation may be arranged. There will be a place to fill this out on the registration form. Please contact your airline regarding policies for unaccompanied minors, if applicable. Additional charges apply and may increase depending on arrival/departure of flight and/or special circumstances.   

May I leave the dorm on my own or to attend a family function?  
All students staying at the dorms, regardless of age, are required to be escorted to and from the dorms for all activities. Curfews and lights out times will be strictly enforced by program staff. Permission to leave campus must be arranged by a parent/guardian and assigned chaperone and is handled on a case-by-case basis. No late arrivals to the dorms will be allowed past the daily curfew.   

May I stay part-time in the dorms or overnight with a friend who is staying in the dorms? 
Due to housing reservations, we are only able to offer the dorms on a full-time basis for the duration of the summer intensive session chosen. No guests or visitors will be permitted in the dorms for the safety of our students.    

How do residential students commute between University of Denver and Colorado Ballet studios? 
Students receive a transportation pass to commute via RTD Light Rail. Students are escorted to and from the dorms by chaperones.  

Are Summer Intensive students eligible for Colorado Ballet Academy’s year round program? 
Students who meet appropriate age requirements will be eligible to register for Levels 5-7. Students ages 13-20 who are interested in training in our daytime Pre-Professional Division have the opportunity to be considered during the summer intensive. Acceptance into the Pre-Professional Division is by invitation only and is dependent on space and availability. If you wish to be considered for PPD, please indicate this on your registration form.  

Are Summer Intensive students considered for Colorado Ballet Studio Company positions? 
Eligible students attending Summer Intensive are assessed for Colorado Ballet Studio Company and Pre-Professional Division based on availability.  

Is Summer Intensive required to apply for the Pre-Professional Division and/or Colorado Ballet Studio Company positions? 
Attendance of Summer Intensive is not required in order to apply for Pre-Professional Division or Studio Company; however, students interested in these positions are encouraged to attend the SI. 

choreographic workshop 2025
July 14 – 18

Ages 14 – 20, Audition or invitation only

CBA’s Choreographic Workshop will give the students the opportunity to have a “Company Experience”. After training rigorously during the Summer Intensive, students participating in the Choreographic Workshop will learn two new works culminating in a premiere performance on July 19, 2024, in the Black Box Theater at Colorado Ballet’s Armstrong Center for Dance.  

Colorado Ballet Academy believes live performance is where artistic and technical growth happens. New works and classical repertoire will be choreographed, set and tailored to the students' ability and talent while pushing their boundaries.  

All students in the Choreographic Workshop will have the opportunity to be considered for CBA's Pre-Professional Division daytime training program and possible Colorado Ballet Studio Company positions.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE
11:00-12:45 Technique class 
1:00-2:30 Choreography piece #1 Rehearsal 
2:30-3:00 Lunch break  
3:00-4:30 Choreography piece #2 Rehearsal 

Program Details

1 Week Choreographic Workshop: July 14-18, 2025 | Tuition $795 | Housing package $895 

Residential Student Fees 
Registration Fee $50 

Non-residential Student Fees 
Registration Fee $50 

Optional 1 Week Catered Lunch Fee $90 

The housing package includes apartment style living in an airconditioned two-bedroom, two-bath suite shared amongst 4 students per unit. All meals and transportation to and from the CBA Studios are included in the housing package. 

connect with us