July 28 through August 15, 2008

Summer Intensive 2008

City Ballet's three-week Summer Intensive program is designed to give serious ballet students at the intermediate to advanced level the opportunity to study with the finest ballet instructors assembled on the West Coast.

Program Dates and Guest Artists

Summer Intensive 2008 starts on Monday, July 28 and runs through Friday, August 15.  This year's guest artist instructors are:

  July 28 through 30:
  Gelsey Kirkland

  August 4 through 8:
  David Howard

  August 11 through 13:
  Sandra Jennings

Class Information

Based on Summer Intensive auditions (see below), students are assigned to one of three levels:

  Advanced Level

  Intermediate Level II

  Intermediate Level I

Advanced Class Schedule: Classes are Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm each day.  The Advanced Class schedule includes daily classes in technique and pointe/variations.  Pilates instruction is included twice each week.  Specialty classes are included throughout the week.  Each day includes a two-hour rehearsal for the public performances at the conclusion of the Summer Intensive.

Intermediate II Class Schedule: Classes are Monday through Friday from 10:30am to 5:00pm each day.  The Intermediate II Class schedule includes daily classes in technique and pointe/variations.  Pilates instruction is included twice each week.  Specialty classes are included throughout the week.  Each day includes a two-hour rehearsal for the public performances at the conclusion of the Summer Intensive.

Intermediate I Class Schedule: Classes are Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 2:00pm each day.  The Intermediate I Class schedule includes daily classes in technique and pointe/variations.  Pilates instruction is included twice each week.  Specialty classes are included throughout the week.  Intermediate I level dancers appear in an in-studio presentation for family and friends at the conclusion of the Summer Intensive.

Public Performances

Part of a dancer's training is learning to prepare for a performance in a short period of time.  For the Advanced and Intermediate II level students, Summer Intensive culminates in two public performances:

  Twilight in the Park
  Balboa Park Spreckels Organ Pavilion
  Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 6:15pm

  City Ballet at City Heights
  City Heights Performance Annex
  Friday, August 15, 2008 at 7:00pm

In-Studio Presentation

Students at the Intermediate I level close out Summer Intensive with an in-studio performance:

  City Ballet Summer Intensive Showcase
  City Ballet Studios
  Friday, August 15, 2008 at 2:00pm

Housing

Housing for out of town students may be arranged with host families of City Ballet's local students.  For $700, the host family provides room, board and transportation to and from classes and performances.  Room and board is paid directly to the host families and is due by Saturday, July 26, 2008.

San Diego has many fine hotels and motels near City Ballet School in Pacific Beach for families wishing to vacation with their Summer Intensive attendees.

Students over age 18 may stay in the Pacific Beach-area youth hostel, approximately 2 blocks from City Ballet's studios:

  Banana Bungalow
  707 Reed Ave (on the beach)
  San Diego, CA
  Phone: 858.273.3060
  Web: www.bananabungalowsandiego.com

Consideration for Apprentice or Trainee

From the Summer Intensive program, apprentices are selected for the 2008-2009 season.  The three-week intensive offers the company directors, Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich, the opportunity to work with a dancer before entering into a season contract.  Also, the dancer is able to see if this is the kind of company he or she would like to join.  Trainees for the 2008-2009 school year are also considered from the Summer Intensive attendees.

Auditions

Applicants must audition for Summer Intensive.  There is a nonrefundable $20 audition fee that must accompany each application.

Audition In Person: Take a technique class at City Ballet School between January and May.

For dancers ages 11-14, technique class is on Monday from 4:00pm to 5:30pm, followed by demonstrating your pointe ability from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.

For dancers ages 15 and above, technique class is on Saturday from 11:00am to 12:30pm, followed by a one-hour pointe class at 12:30pm.

Audition by Video Tape: Submit the following with your application:

1. VHS video tape that includes the following.  No warm-up attire.  Videos will not be returned.

(a) one side only of each barre exercise (plies, tendus, adagio, grand battement);

(b) center work (tendus, pirouettes, petit allegro, grand allegro); and

(c) pointe work (either at the barre or in the center) or a variation from the classical repertoire on pointe.

2. A letter of recommendation from current teacher.

3. A photo taken in 1st arabesque on pointe.

Deposits, Tuition and Fees

Deposits: A $200 nonrefundable tuition deposit must accompany each application.  If the student wishes to stay with a host family, a $200 nonrefundable housing deposit is also required.  If the student is not accepted into the Summer Intensive program, the deposit(s) will be returned.  Deposits are payable by personal check only (cash will be accepted if paying in person at City Ballet's school office).  Credit cards are not accepted for any Summer Intensive deposits.

Tuition: Tuition for students accepted at the Advanced and Intermediate II levels is $950.  Tuition for students accepted at the Intermediate I level is $800.  The tuition balance is due by Saturday, June 14, 2008.

Audition Fee: Each application must include a $20 nonrefundable audition fee.

How to Apply

1. Download the application form

Note: The application is published in Adobe's PDF data file format to be viewed using Acrobat Reader.  If you have not yet installed Acrobat Reader, click here to get your free copy from Adobe.

2. Submit the following to City Ballet:

(a) Completed application;

(b) Audition materials (if not auditioning in person); and

(c) Non-refundable deposits and fees

Mail the completed package to:

  City Ballet
  PO Box 99072
  San Diego, CA  92169

3. If you are accepted into the program, your acceptance package will include complete program information, including your assigned class level (Advanced, Intermediate II or Intermediate I).

Questions?

If you have questions or would like additional information, please e-mail our Summer Intensive program office