It seems competition for acceptance into SIs is going to be especially fierce this year due to covid restrictions. My daughter has only ever been waitlisted once and not rejected previously- but she was probably often a borderline admission. In an effort to make sure she gets in to one this year, can anyone recommend a SI with a ballet focus that’s not as competitive as Boston or the other top intensives?
Thanks!
Preference for ballet style? Age? Some have a top age limit.
Have you asked on Ballet Talk for Dancers forum?
D21 was pre-pro for awhile and did SIs and auditions, but then decided it wasn’t the career for her, so I have been away from that for a year now. In our experience, easy vs hard to get into is subjective. My D got accepted to some that are considered more selective than others that were considered less selective where she wasn’t accepted.
That is interesting. My D did Ballet West last year and they had top notch instructors. I would look into them as an option. I was super impressed with them. My D did Boston the year before so I know what you mean. I have heard good things about Ballet Austin as well. Good luck!
My daughter is 17 and this is her last go before she’s off to college in the fall. She isn’t a typical ballet dancer in looks, nor has she trained as long as most. She’s trained vagonova and Balanchine, and prefers vaganova but isn’t too particular, tbh. I read that the Boston audition today alone had 90 girls, and that’s the max they’re taking from all auditions total. My daughter doesn’t even audition at places that hard to get into, but it seems lowered tiered programs will be also be harder acceptances this year.
I don’t think my daughter could get into those in a normal year, let alone this year- but I’ve heard great things about them!
Thanks, so age limit isn’t a concern. I thought she might be in college already given the forum.
Preference for area of the country?
I am thinking maybe some of the regional ballet companies like Richmond, Carolina, Nashville, Sarasota? ABT other than NYC? Nutmeg? CPYB? I am East Coast so more familiar with this side of country.
If you go to the Ballet Talk for Dancers site they have reviews from past students on most of the programs as well as audition discussions which may help give you a sense of chance of acceptance. You have to sign up to view posts though.
Good luck!
Take a look at Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago.
@milgymfam I would suggest Bolshoi, Pennsylvania and Carolina, as they maybe a little less competitive than Boston or the NYC intensives. Not sure whether they age out - have been away from it for a couple of years now.
She auditioned for the PA ballet today. They said they’ve had 500 ish auditioners so far this year. She also auditioned for the Washington Ballet and is signed up for LINES and American Repertoire Ballet.
Oh, I hope she gets good news. It is amazing how far from my mind all of this is now - audition season was always fraught with stress! D21 loved her ballet years and the SIs were amazing learning and growth experiences. Good luck!
I feel bad sometimes because she missed out on years of fun and excitement with this stuff. This is her third summer of ballet intensives as she started dancing four years ago. Anyway, thanks!
@milgymfam it can go both ways - I felt badly that D missed out on other things when she was at ballet 6x a week. I was sad when she stopped but it was her decision and she had a blast doing sports and other activities through high school. All good! And I don’t miss writing those checks!
Joffrey Academy in Chicago should not be as competitive. Normally, I would say CPYB, but it looks like they’re restricting their numbers this year.
I was also going to suggest Carolina Ballet–my dd had a very good experience there as a younger dancer–outstanding teachers! Also CPYB maybe?
Mine started later too (with ballet focus, not dance in general) and hit it really hard. She was on a youth company and missed endless events (birthday parties etc) due to classes and rehearsals.
After 4 years, she decided ballet as a profession was not for her and cut back significantly. She doesn’t regret any of it though. Her ballet friends are still her closest friends and the best experience of her life to date is still the summer she spent in NYC for an SI.
Understandable! My daughter is an introvert and a homebody, so she hasn’t missed anything since she started dance four years ago. She’d been a gymnast prior and the hours for dance were actually a step down. Ha. Even now, as a trainee in a company she’s always asking for more classes to drop into.
I would also point out that many SI’s are struggling with housing options this year due to covid. We are finding that several programs my DD is interested in do not offer housing, which is a problem for us. This might be a good year to stay local if there is an in-studio option nearby.
I’m not worried about housing. We’ve only applied where we either have family housing available, or I’m willing to stay in a rental with her. She has health issues so it would always have been our preference for her not to dorm if not required anyway.