Anonymous
Post 01/25/2026 18:19     Subject: Ballet Summer Intensives
Have you considered CPYB? If the desire is to improve technique, this would be a good option.

https://cpyb.org/5-week-summer-ballet-program/
Anonymous
Post 01/25/2026 18:11     Subject: Ballet Summer Intensives
I have also heard that about the junior SI. Probably comes down to how much of a hassle / expense it would be for your DC to attend.
Anonymous
Post 01/24/2026 17:36     Subject: Ballet Summer Intensives
What do people think of the SAB Junior Intensive? I know that it is considered the top but I have actually heard that it is ballet light and primarily full of YAGP participants or wannabes.
Anonymous
Post 01/19/2026 14:33     Subject: Ballet Summer Intensives
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Any ballet parents want to chime in?
We auditioned for Houston yesterday and are doing Miami next week - exciting time of year!


Both great programs! I attended MCB for two summers back in the day ... had a blast. Boston is also a wonderful program!


Anyone with recent input on Boston? I've heard the classes are quite large


I know someone who had a good experience a couple years ago but she didn’t mention class size specifically. Did you read reviews on Ballet Help Desk? That’s been my go-to site to get the scoop on SIs.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2026 15:44     Subject: Ballet Summer Intensives
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Top program intensives are absolutely recommended for teens particularly if they are looking for trainee opportunities later or for college. Need to build up a resume


Ballet in college is kind of stupid.
If you aren't in a company by 18, it's pretty much over. And even if you are in a company, the pay scale is very tough. Even Tiler Peck has to spin off brands to live comfortably in Manhattan. Nobody coming out of a college ballet program is going to earn much except teach ballet at the college level and those are really bad teachers. They could never teach at a serious private ballet school.
Serious ballet dancers know this and go to college with something else in mind because the ballet road ended.

I've met people who did college dance and they lamented that they had to take unrelated day jobs in order to dance for a 'company' for free. It is foolish to go into college debt for something like that.


It depends on where you go to college for ballet. You're right that many colleges don't have the level of training needed to get a professional contract. But some do like Indiana, Butler, UNCSA, and Oklahoma. This website has data about where professional dancers trained, and you'll see a handful of colleges on the list.
https://datapointesguide.com/schoolsschool
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2026 15:36     Subject: Ballet Summer Intensives
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Any ballet parents want to chime in?
We auditioned for Houston yesterday and are doing Miami next week - exciting time of year!


Both great programs! I attended MCB for two summers back in the day ... had a blast. Boston is also a wonderful program!


Anyone with recent input on Boston? I've heard the classes are quite large
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2026 14:55     Subject: Ballet Summer Intensives
Anonymous wrote:Any ballet parents want to chime in?
We auditioned for Houston yesterday and are doing Miami next week - exciting time of year!


Both great programs! I attended MCB for two summers back in the day ... had a blast. Boston is also a wonderful program!
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 18:15     Subject: Ballet Summer Intensives
Anonymous wrote:Top program intensives are absolutely recommended for teens particularly if they are looking for trainee opportunities later or for college. Need to build up a resume


Ballet in college is kind of stupid.
If you aren't in a company by 18, it's pretty much over. And even if you are in a company, the pay scale is very tough. Even Tiler Peck has to spin off brands to live comfortably in Manhattan. Nobody coming out of a college ballet program is going to earn much except teach ballet at the college level and those are really bad teachers. They could never teach at a serious private ballet school.
Serious ballet dancers know this and go to college with something else in mind because the ballet road ended.

I've met people who did college dance and they lamented that they had to take unrelated day jobs in order to dance for a 'company' for free. It is foolish to go into college debt for something like that.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 18:01     Subject: Re:Ballet Summer Intensives
Anonymous wrote:My DD loved her summer living in a dorm. She made friends that she still keeps in touch with, learned to navigate public transportation in a new city, and learned that she loves dorm life so came home with a renewed commitment to her academics.

She doesn’t plan to pursue dance as a career, so I can’t speak to the training aspect, but in terms of life skills and a taste of independence, it was a wonderful experience.


Sio it's just a camp experience.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 17:31     Subject: Re:Ballet Summer Intensives
My DD loved her summer living in a dorm. She made friends that she still keeps in touch with, learned to navigate public transportation in a new city, and learned that she loves dorm life so came home with a renewed commitment to her academics.

She doesn’t plan to pursue dance as a career, so I can’t speak to the training aspect, but in terms of life skills and a taste of independence, it was a wonderful experience.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 16:14     Subject: Ballet Summer Intensives
Anonymous wrote:Any ballet parents want to chime in?
We auditioned for Houston yesterday and are doing Miami next week - exciting time of year!


How are your feet today, OP?
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 16:11     Subject: Ballet Summer Intensives
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Top program intensives are absolutely recommended for teens particularly if they are looking for trainee opportunities later or for college. Need to build up a resume


This is very outdated information. Do you work for one of these programs? What is your kickback?


You sound like a studio owner trying to hold their students back
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 13:18     Subject: Ballet Summer Intensives
Anonymous wrote:Top program intensives are absolutely recommended for teens particularly if they are looking for trainee opportunities later or for college. Need to build up a resume


This is terrible advice.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 13:05     Subject: Ballet Summer Intensives
Anonymous wrote:Stay at your home studio for intensivrs. They have a vested intetest in your kids success. Your outcome will be far far better. Add summer privste lessons and then you really have something workable.


This is terrible advice
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 12:22     Subject: Ballet Summer Intensives
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Stay at your home studio for intensivrs. They have a vested intetest in your kids success. Your outcome will be far far better. Add summer privste lessons and then you really have something workable.


But isn't it recommended for dancers to learn from a variety of different teachers? Plus even aside from the dance element, doing a summer intensive away from home could be a good learning experience for many teens.


Yes, but not by these "top" programs. You will get more out of private lessons cliser yo home. At an audition. Best dancer wins. They don't care about the pedegrie. They care about technique, skills, and coachability. Invest in those that are invested in their success and build character. That will get you farther and you will have money left over to pay for college.