“The Academy of Ballet Fantastique provides highly individualized, sequential training, allowing dancers at each level the opportunity to develop strong technique and a sense of artistry. Students and aspiring professionals excel through the Vaganova Method, learning and mastering technical elements step by step, building dancers’ success, confidence, and self-esteem.”
— Thea Vandervoort, former professional dancer, retired National Program Director, Arts Bridge America, current Artistic Director of Motion Theatre Dance Company, Santa Barbara, CA

Vaganova Summer Intensive

July 13–Aug 7, 2026 i a la carte weeks available | ages 10+

BOUTIQUE professional training for the next generation of empowered, expressive ARTISTS AND HUMANS.

We are here to support and motivate you as an individual and as a dancer.

  • Immerse yourself in the international-standard Vaganova Training Syllabus, which has trained the best dancers in the world. Feel empowered to own your movement. Amplify your artistry, supercharge your technique, empower your musical expression, clarify your intention.

  • Build real relationships with your instructors—BFan’s incredible international professional coaching faculty. BFan’s intentionally smaller class sizes mean a semi-private coaching atmosphere where your coaching time and teacher attention is maximized.

  • Be part of saying something new. Become a more confident, well-rounded, powerful dancer with Ballet Fantastique's trademark fusion of classical ballet coaching, detail-oriented artistry and musicality—and bold new dance theater choreography redefining our industry.

Apply for our ballet fantastique summer intensive now

Get inspired. Get equipped.

“In addition to technique, the dancers have something more. It is a very good coordination with the expression, body, and musicality—in Russia, we call it ‘the feel of the pose.’ Ballet Fantastique training is wonderful.”
— Dina Fadayeva, Expert Master Teacher and Choreographer, Vaganova Method, Graduate of the Gitis Choreographic Institute, Moscow, Russia

ACADEMY OF BALLET FANTASTIQUE STUDENTS IN POINTE // GUSTAVO RAMIREZ

With our intentionally smaller class sizes, you’ll dance more, get more personalized coaching, and spend less time waiting your turn—because growth happens through doing. Our 25+ weekly studio hours are focused, high-intensity, and designed to build real endurance, confidence, and transformation—no wasted time, just powerful progress.

  • Ballet-focused coursework, with additional coursework in Variations, Conditioning for Dancers, Character, Jazz, Contemporary, Theatre, and more

  • Add-on additional private coaching also available

Ballet Fantastique students have gone on to train with National Ballet of Canada, Boston Ballet (full merit scholarship), Ellison Ballet, City Ballet of San Francisco, Pacific NW Ballet, Russian Masters, John Cranko, The Rock School, Joffrey Ballet San Francisco, Joffrey Ballet New York, and the country’s most prestigious college dance programs. They are currently dancing on contract in Ballet Fantastique’s professional company, as well as dance companies around the world. Former BFan graduates have also become dance educators, physical therapists, professional choreographers, dance professors, film/TV industry leads, international gallery executives, lawyers, and human rights advocates. We’re so passionate about training the next generation of artists, athletes, makers, and people. Join us.

Meet our international professional faculty
“Ballet Fantastique helped me in so many ways! It gave me the skills that I needed to succeed in a professional career in dance, the knowledge needed to teach ballet, the confidence and performance quality demanded of dancers, and a place to call home. Donna’s level of instruction is reputable and she really meets each individual student’s personal needs for their goals with dance. I cannot thank Ballet Fantastique enough for all that they have given me—the experience and knowledge I gained through my involvement has been priceless.”
— Sara Parker, former BFan student (now a professional Dance Professor at Portland State University and MFA graduate from the prestigious University of Utah)

academy of ballet fantastique students — photos by Bob Williams, Erin Whitaker, Gustavo Ramirez

2026 Vaganova Intensive Levels

Because our program is about maximizing each student's growth, placement at Ballet Fantastique is (uniquely) by level, not based solely on age. acceptance for new students is by enrollment application. final class placements will be assigned after assessment on the first day of the intensive.

apply for our vaganova summer intensive NOW
 

Bravo/Allegro/Accelerando

IN-DEPTH vaganova ballet training with comprehensive dance education
ADDITIONAL ADD-ON COACHING ALSO AVAILABLE

  • Designed for children who LOVE ballet and are ready for the next step in their training journey! In Ballet Fantastique’s special Bravo/Allegro/Accelerando Training Program, young dancers will gain flexibility, stamina, technique, and confidence.

    Placement class is required, except for those currently enrolled in the Training Division of The Academy of Ballet Fantastique and placed in/promoted to this course.

    We seek passionate, focused dancers who demonstrate dedication and a strong interest in building their ballet skills.

    • Full session tuition: $750

Ovation

IN-DEPTH vaganova ballet training with comprehensive dance education
ADDITIONAL ADD-ON COACHING ALSO AVAILABLE

  • In Ballet Fantastique’s Ovation Workshop, dancers participate actively in the next part of their dance training journey with an emphasis on building strength, confidence, artistry, and ownership of their movement. Coursework includes a well-rounded program of enrichment classes in addition to intensive training under Ballet Fantastique professional coaching faculty. Auditions are required, except for current Ballet Fantastique dancers. We seek dancers who demonstrate passion, dedication, a serious interest in ballet, as well as focus and stamina. Limited class size.

    • Full session tuition: $850

Concerto

IN-DEPTH vaganova ballet training with comprehensive dance education
ADDITIONAL ADD-ON COACHING ALSO AVAILABLE

  • In Ballet Fantastique’s Concerto Program, dancers participate actively in the next part of their dance training journey with an emphasis on building strength, confidence, artistry, and ownership of their movement. Coursework includes a well-rounded program of enrichment classes in addition to intensive training under Ballet Fantastique professional coaching faculty. Auditions are required, except for current Ballet Fantastique dancers. We seek dancers who demonstrate passion, dedication, a serious interest in ballet, as well as focus and stamina. Limited class size.

    • Full session tuition: $1,250

Elevé

IN-DEPTH vaganova ballet training with comprehensive dance education
ADDITIONAL ADD-ON COACHING ALSO AVAILABLE

  • In Ballet Fantastique’s Elevé Program, dancers refine their artistic voice and build strength for bigger jumps, turns, and quicker movements. Includes advanced pointe work, character dance, and contemporary dance. Coursework includes a well-rounded program of enrichment classes in addition to intensive training under Ballet Fantastique professional coaching faculty. Auditions are required, except for current Ballet Fantastique dancers. We seek dancers who demonstrate passion, dedication, a serious interest in ballet, as well as focus and stamina. Limited class size.

    • Full session tuition: $1,250

apply for our vaganova summer intensive NOW

International Coaching Faculty

Donna Marisa Bontrager (Winnipeg, Canada), Founding Artistic Director and Co-Choreographer-Producer, Ballet Fantastique
Ashley Bontrager (Buffalo, NY), Founding Principal Ballerina, Ballet Fantastique, Graduate, Academy of Ballet Fantastique
Hannah Bontrager (Buffalo, NY), Co-Choreographer-Producer & Founding Principal Ballerina, Ballet Fantastique, Graduate, Academy of Ballet Fantastique
Lucy Pearce (Hertfordshire, UK), Artist, Ballet Fantastique, BFan Academy Program Director, Kings International Ballet Academy, Teaching Qualification in ARBTA Russian Ballet, Professional Dancer’s Diploma - BDQT Accredited and an IDTA Anatomy Qualification
Brooke Geffrey-Bowler (Spokane, WA), Soloist, Ballet Fantastique, BA, Dance Performance & Dance Pedagogy, Gonzaga University
Jenavieve Hernandez (Spokane, WA), Principal, Ballet Fantastique, Ballet Fantastique Fellowship Apprentice Program, Ballet Idaho Academy

“We will move from Eugene back to Brazil in fall. Unfortunately, Moeema won’t be able to continue with BFan, but we bring with us lifelong learnings from the experience with you. Amazing little and very professional company, caring community. We will definitely miss you all, and will carry with us the best from this experience. You nurtured deeply Moeema’s love for ballet. You understand that the most important is to build strong bonds, that we need each other, and your team of instructors is taking seriously the role of models for the kids. You make the world a better place, for your audience, your students and surely for your company members. The Ballet Fantastique has a special place in our heart. Love love love! On vous aime. ”
— Diane Bloch Trefousse, parent of Moeema, age 8

Additional information

  • Family Discount: 10% off for each additional dancer from the same family

  • Registration Deadline: Varies by program. A late fee for registrations after the deadline may be applied. No registration required for continuing students.

  • Deposit & Installments: Required with program enrollment. No deposit required for continuing students. Installment plans are available. Please contact Academy Billing Specialist Dianna Pounder for details: billing [at] balletfantastique.org. All deposits are nonrefundable, required to register, and will be applied towards tuition.

  • CONTACT US: Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit and/or financial need. Full, partial, and merit scholarships available. New students please email academy [at] balletfantastique.org for more information. Returning students can find Scholarship applications/renewal applications from the academy resources page.