About

The American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious ballet training programs in the world for pre-professional dancers. Offered by one of America's most celebrated ballet companies, the Summer Intensive operates under the artistic supervision of ABT Artistic Director Susan Jaffe and Summer Intensive Artistic Director Kate Lydon, with a faculty drawn from ABT alumni, current company dancers, and acclaimed guest teachers. As of 2025, 58% of dancers in ABT's Main Company attended an ABT Summer Intensive at some point in their training — a figure that makes the program's renowned pipeline function unmistakably clear.

Three locations run in 2026: New York City (June 22–July 24, five weeks), Long Beach, California at California State University (June 15–26, two weeks), and Tampa, Florida at the University of South Florida (July 13–31, three weeks). The New York program is the flagship — the longest, most challenging, and most sought-after. All programs train students in ABT's National Training Curriculum, covering advanced technique, pointe work, partnering, modern dance, character, and exposure to ABT history and repertory. Daily classes run approximately 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, concluding with a final performance. The New York program is a day program with no housing provided; students arrange their own accommodations.

Admission is by audition only — either in-person at one of 22 cities on the National Audition Tour or by video submission. The in-person audition fee is $50. Applicants must be between 12 and 20 years old by June 22, 2026, and have achieved intermediate or advanced ballet training. Merit-based scholarships are available and determined at the audition without a separate application process; ABT notifies recipients at time of acceptance. ABT also offers National Training Program scholarships covering full Summer Intensive tuition plus year-round training expenses for a small number of especially promising dancers ages 12–18.

For a serious, technically advanced ballet dancer, the ABT Summer Intensive sits at the top of the pre-professional summer training hierarchy — the faculty, the alumni network, and the company pipeline are simply unmatched.