ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Coaching Intensives
Become the dancer you want to be!
Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, Ballet Fantastique offers rigorous coaching programs for dancers ages 12-professional. Our Summer Intensive Program provides aspiring dancers a rare opportunity for growth by working directly with our highly-qualified coaches in semi-private classes of eight students or fewer. Expect to grow tremendously as a dancer and performer through challenging, thorough classes in the internationally-recognized Russian Vaganova Training Method.
Students will immerse themselves in the education of dance and the Vaganova Method, which has trained the best dancers in the world (including Pavlova, Baryshnikov, and dancers in almost every professional ballet company in the country). Students will learn perfected technique, musicality, artistic expression—and will also learn about proper nutrition, injury prevention, and performance improvement.
In this confidence-building, rigorous, and highly motivated program, students will become stronger and more artistic dancers. They will learn how to work with their own bodies by accentuating their strengths and strengthening their weaknesses. This intensive allows students to experience what it takes to become a professional dancer, and to help propel them towards their goals.
Auditions
Be motivated (D. Mundorff)
We seek serious students passionate about dance, who value discipline and demonstrate great passion for their art form, along with focus and stamina. Schedule an audition at the Academy of Ballet Fantastique, or send a DVD audition. Details on auditioning by DVD and the audition form are available at right in the "links" section. Students will be notified of their acceptance within two weeks. Deadline: May 1 or when workshop is full. Auditions are not required for current Academy of Ballet Fantastique students.
Classes
Be encouraged (D. Mundorff)
- Challenging daily Technique and, for women, Pointe classes in authentic Russian Vaganova Ballet Training with Academy of Ballet Fantastique Artistic Director and Master Teacher Donna Marisa Bontrager
- Classical/Contemporary Variations (experience with soloist and small ensemble work, building performance confidence)
- Deep Stretch, Pilates, and Conditioning for Dancers
- Electives (Partnering, Modern, Character, Latin/Flamenco, etc.)
- Professional Seminars (Nutrition, Ballet History, Music for Dancers, The Proper Care and Fitting of Pointe Shoes, Performance Prep/Hair/Stage Makeup, Vocabulary, Costume Design, Introductory Kinesiology, etc.)
- Plus, perform with Ballet Fantastique's critically-acclaimed professional Chamber Ballet Company at the end of the summer!
- Optional private coaching on Fridays (additional cost; contact us for details)
Enjoy your summer in beautiful Oregon!
- NOTE: Each Intensive will study a famous classical ballet (story, history, video footage, and selected variations)
- Weekend trips to area attractions (e.g., the Oregon Coast, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Spencer's Butte, and more!) will be scheduled for out-of-area students.
What Sets Summer Dreamworks Apart
In addition to the highest quality in classes and coaching, there are several very unique aspects to the Academy of Ballet Fantastique Summer Dreamworks Intensive Workshop Program that you won’t find anywhere else.
- The Vaganova Method will give you a stronger precision, technical clarity, and artistry in your classwork and performance. You will be amazed at the progress you will make through this proven, holistic, progressive training approach.
- Classes are strictly limited, to ensure extensive personal attention for every dancer. Excel in classes where you will get personal feedback, every class, every day. Intensive Workshops are limited to only 8 students/class!
- Meet one-on-one with your teachers at the beginning of your workshop to set personal goals for improvement throughout the program—and then reach them! All classes are taught by Ballet Fantastique’s expert dance faculty, including Ballet Fantastique Artistic Director Donna Marisa Bontrager.
- Advanced students will take class with and alongside professional company dancers in the Ballet Fantastique Chamber Company, who will guide and mentor them throughout the summer program.
Sample Daily Schedule
Coming soon!
Room & Board
Be challenged (D. Mundorff)
Students who do not live in the area may board with host families for $200/week. The fee includes room/board as well as 3 meals a day plus snacks and travel to and from the studio. Please contact Hannah Bontrager for more info. (Students may also stay at a local hotel or make their own living arrangements. Again, please contact us for more details.)
Advanced: Concerto Ballet Intensive
(Jul 5-Aug 12; 6 weeks): Students will dance 5+ hours a day, four days a week (M-Th, 10:30 am-3:30 pm), plus rehearsals, additional seminars, and weekend performance), with optional private coaching on Fridays (additional cost). Students must be 13 years or older with a minimum of four years of serious ballet training and three or more years of pointe work. Demonstration Day: August 14.
Intermediate: Bravo Ballet Intensive
(Jul 5-Aug 12; 6 weeks): Students will dance 4+ hours a day, 4 days a week (M-Th, 12:30 pm-4:30 pm), plus rehearsals, additional seminars, and weekend performance), with optional private coaching on Fridays (additional cost). Students must be at least 11 years or older with a minimum of two years of serious ballet training (pointe optional). Demonstration Day: August 14.
Accelerated Beginning: Andante Ballet Intensive
(Jul 5-Aug 12; 6 weeks): Students will work through foundational ballet material in the Vaganova Syllabus in a focused, accelerated atmosphere 3 days per week (T/Th 4:30-6:30 pm, F 11:30-1:30). Students must be at least ten years or older. Supplementary seminars in stretching and strengthening and performance preparation. Demonstration Day: August 14.
Program Fees & Discounts
Advanced Summer Workshop Program: $1,020 (continuing student discount with registration for entire session only $840).
Intermediate Summer Workshop Program: $816 (continuing student discount with registration for entire session only $768).
Accelerated Beginning Summer Workshop Program: $400 (continuing student discount with registration for entire session only $350).
NOTE: Individualized training programs are available.
Activities Fee (optional-intended for out-of-area students): $250
Deposit: $100 non-refundable registration deposit ($50 for continuing students) due at time of registration (will be applied towards tuition).
Installments: You may make the summer program fees in two installment payments if you like, but there will be a fee of $15 for this service, and all tuition must be paid by August 1 (for full summer tuition only).
Continuing Student Discount Contingencies: We offer our continuing students a discount as our thanks for their loyalty. Continuing students receive discounts only with registration for the full workshop, and only when their deposit and registrations are received by June 12.
Registration Deadline: June 12 (registrations after June 12, add $25 late fee)
CONTACT US: Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit and/or financial need; please contact us as soon as possible to apply. Out-of-area students may opt to attend part of the workshop (weekly payment rate), but area students are expected to attend the full intensive program in its entirety.
Links
