Ballet Fantastique
Summer Intensive Program
Become the dancer you want to be!
Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, Ballet Fantastique offers rigorous coaching programs for pre-professional dancers, plus a Professional Dancer Development Program for professional dancers age 18-26. 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 15 or when workshop is full. Auditions are not required for current Academy of Ballet Fantastique students.
Classes
Be encouraged (D. Mundorff)
- Challenging daily Technique 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, 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!
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 9 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.
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
(Dates and times will be announced Winter 2012. Includes 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. This incredibly unique workshop is an opportunity to develop technique, musicality, performance skills, and artistry alongside Ballet Fantastique’s professional company dancers, and with the hands-on Vaganova coaching of Ballet Fantastique’s incredible instructors. Extensive pointe work and rigorous variations equip dancers with performance confidence in soloist and small ensemble work. We guarantee that this workshop, with Ballet Fantastique’s one-of-a-kind program featuring smaller class sizes, expert instruction, and performance emphasis, will build and improve your technique, artistry, and confidence as a dancer--and help you to become the dancer you want to be! The intensive also includes: seminars, variations, conditioning and an optional private coaching on Fridays (additional cost).
Intermediate: Bravo Ballet Intensive
(Dates and times will be announced Winter 2012. Includes 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). Performance: August 12.
Beginning-Int: Andante Ballet Intensive
(Dates and times will be announced Winter 2012. Includes rehearsals, additional seminars, and weekend performance): Students will work through foundational ballet material in the Vaganova Syllabus in a focused, accelerated atmosphere. Dancers must be at least eight years or older, or be placed by a Ballet Fantastique instructor. Supplementary seminars in stretching and strengthening and performance preparation. Performance: August 12.
Accelerated Beginning: Brilliante Ballet Intensive
(Dates and times will be announced Winter 2012. Includes rehearsals, additional seminars, and weekend performance): Be inspired to reach your dancing dreams! Begin to learn what it means to dance like a pro. Intensive includes: four intensive ballet training lessons per week, Ballet Conditioning to stretch and strengthen, field trips, rehearsals for a simple variation, and tips from real professional dancers who study and dance at Ballet Fantastique. This ballet “boot camp” will be challenging, but lots of fun, and a good way to find out if real ballet is right for you. Prior ballet experience is highly recommended. This Workshop prepares dancers for the year-round training program at The Academy of Ballet Fantastique. Performance: August 12.
Program Fees & Discounts
Tuition & Fees: The Academy of Ballet Fantastique's Summer Intensives tuition offers an exceptional value. Details on tuition and fees will be announced Winter 2012 with the schedule.
Continuing Student Discount: We offer our continuing students a $50 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 May 5.
Installments: You may make the summer program fees in two installment payments (July 1 and August 1)
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).
Registration Deadline: June 18 (registrations after June 18, add $25 late fee)
Register with a friend new to Ballet Fantastique: $25 off tuition when a new student registers and indicates your referral.
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.