AGES 10-20, by audition only. Female students must be en pointe.
Eligible students participating in our Summer Intensive are assessed for
Colorado Ballet Studio Company and Pre-Professional Division.
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)
“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 Boggs, Artistic Director, Colorado Ballet
Audition fees increase the Thursday before each audition. Walk-up registration is always available day of.
Saturday, January 6, 2024
Colorado Ballet Academy
Sunday, January 7, 2024
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Saturday, January 13, 2024
Ballet West
Sunday, January 14, 2024
Colorado Ballet Academy
Saturday, January 20, 2024
Ballet Chicago
Saturday, January 20, 2024
Houston Ballet
Sunday, January 21,
2024
Philadelphia Ballet
Sunday, January 21, 2024
Ballet Austin
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Ballet Arizona
Sunday, January 28, 2024
San Elijo Dance and Music Academy
Sunday, January 28,
2024
Southland Ballet Academy
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Colorado Ballet Academy
Monday, February 5, 2024
Texas Ballet Theatre
Saturday, February 10,
2024
Colorado Ballet Academy
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Smuin Ballet
Colorado Ballet Academy gives the same priority to those who audition in person or via video audition.
Women: black leotard, pink or skin colored tights, pointe shoes
Men: black tights, white t-shirt
The audition videotape should be between 10-15 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
- Female pointe work
echappe
releve in arabesque
pirouettes en pointe
diagonal turning combination
- Males
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.
Registration Details:
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
Females: black leotard, pink or skin toned tights with matching, pointe shoes
Males: white t-shirt, black tights, black or white ballet slippers
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.
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.
Summer Intensive students by Mark Hutchens
Summer Intensive 2024 | June 12 – July 12
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.
Ages 10-20. Females must be en pointe to participate in Summer Intensive. Females who are not en pointe may participate in CBA’s Young Dancer
Workshop.
Students will be placed in one of five levels. Level 1 is designated for students who have been en pointe for one year or less and will have a limit
of 20 students. Levels 2-5 are designed for students who have been en pointe more than one full year.
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. 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.
More information coming soon.
Classes are held daily except for Sundays.
No classes will be held on July 4, 2024
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.
Students choosing the housing option will reside at the University of Colorado Denver in airconditioned two-bedroom, two-bath suites shared amongst 4 students per unit. The beautiful CU Denver campus is located in the heart of Downtown Denver within easy walking distance to RTD Light Rail where students will be escorted daily to and from Colorado Ballet by its experienced chaperone staff.
Colorado Ballet’s Company Dancers fulfill the role of chaperones, which provides an excellent resource for students on and off the CU Denver campus. The student to chaperone ratio is approximately 12:1 and chaperones are available onsite 24 hours a day. Additional 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 student meal plan consists of breakfast and dinner on campus Monday-Saturday, with lunch catered at the CBA studios. On Sundays, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided on campus.
Colorado Ballet Academy also offers chaperoned weekend outings for all residential students. Transportation is provided, and all outings are covered by the residential student activity 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
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?
Summer Intensive has five levels. Level 1 is for students who have been en pointe for one year or less and has a 20-student limit. Levels 2-5 are designed for students who have been en pointe fpr more than one full year. CBA does not allow requests for a change in level placement from students or their 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.
July 15 – 19
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