Dance Theatre Northwest is excited to present our Adult Ballet Summer Intensive 2026, created specifically for adult dancers who want focused training, stronger technique, and a deeper connection to their artistry, located just a few miles south of Tacoma in beautiful University Place, Washington.

This program brings together DTNW faculty and special guest teachers who understand how to challenge adult dancers while keeping the work safe, thoughtful, and sustainable. DTNW is proud to offer an inclusive environment where all adult dancers are welcomed and respected. Whether you are building a strong foundation or refining years of training, this intensive is designed to leave you inspired, challenged, and excited for what comes next.

Space is limited. The Adult Ballet Summer Intensive sold out last year, and enrollment is capped to ensure high-quality training and individual attention. Early registration is strongly encouraged to reserve your spot.

Program Overview

For 2026, the Adult Ballet Summer Intensive will run over two separate sessions, each tailored to a different level of training.

• Session One is designed for Beginner and Advanced Beginner dancers and runs as a four-day intensive.
• Session Two is designed for Intermediate and Advanced dancers and offers two participation options: a four-day intensive or an optional five-day program.

Dancers may register for one or both sessions if they meet the prerequisites.

Areas of Focus

Throughout the Adult Ballet Summer Intensive, dancers will work on a range of technical and artistic elements designed to support strong, sustainable ballet training for adult dancers. Areas of focus include:

• Classical Ballet Technique
• Alignment, Placement, and Core Strength
• Turnout and Flexibility
• Petit Allegro and Jump Mechanics
• Turns and Traveling Steps
• Variations and Repertoire
• Pointe Work and Pre-Pointe Work (as appropriate)
• Conditioning and Stretch
• Ensemble Work and Spacing
• Injury Prevention and Healthy Training Practices

Training on Sprung Dance Floors

All classes in the Adult Ballet Summer Intensive take place on professionally installed sprung dance floors. These raised, shock-absorbing floors are designed specifically for dance and provide a responsive surface that supports technique, balance, and control.

During an intensive with multiple hours of daily training, a sprung floor makes a meaningful difference. It reduces impact on joints and muscles while allowing dancers to move fully and confidently through jumps, turns, and extended combinations. The result is a studio environment that supports both the physical demands and the artistic quality of an immersive ballet experience.

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Session One – July 23–26, 2026

Beginner and Advanced Beginner

This four-day session is designed for adult dancers who are newer to ballet but have a consistent practice and want to strengthen their foundation in a supportive, structured environment.

Daily training focuses on classical ballet technique, alignment, strength, musicality, and confidence. Instruction is paced to challenge dancers while allowing time to absorb corrections and build skills safely.

Prerequisites

• At least three months of regular beginner-level ballet training
• Familiarity with basic ballet positions and terminology
• Ability to follow simple combinations at the barre and in center

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Session Two: August 1–4, 2026, with Optional Fifth Day (August 5)

Intermediate and Advanced

This session is intended for adult dancers training at the intermediate level or higher who are ready for more complex combinations, stronger technique, and a faster pace.

Daily training emphasizes technique, strength, musicality, and artistry, with longer combinations and more demanding material. Dancers will work at a pace appropriate for experienced students while maintaining a thoughtful approach to adult training.

Program Length Options

• Four-Day Intensive
  This is the core program and includes all primary training and choreography.
• Five-Day Intensive
  Includes the same four-day program plus an additional fifth day.
  The fifth day builds on the week’s work and offers extended training for dancers who want to go deeper.

Prerequisites

• At least one year of consistent intermediate-level ballet training
• Strong understanding of ballet vocabulary
• Comfort learning longer combinations at a moderate to fast pace
• Pointe work is not required. The pointe portion of the training may be taken in flats.

Community Performance

As part of the Adult Ballet Summer Intensive, dancers in both Session One and Session Two will learn a short ballet piece during their intensive week. Learning choreography is an important part of the experience and gives dancers the opportunity to apply technique, musicality, and artistry developed throughout the program.

An optional community performance will be held on Saturday, August 8, in the late afternoon, where dancers from both sessions may choose to share the work they have learned in a relaxed and supportive setting.

Participation in the performance is optional. All dancers will be taught the choreography, whether or not they choose to perform.

If you’d like an example of what our dancers accomplished during the 2024 intensive, skip ahead to the 19:00 mark in this video. This is the Community Performance piece taught during the 2024 program. While this year’s choreography will be different, it gives a great sense of the type of piece we work on during the intensive.

A small costume cleaning fee will apply to dancers who participate in the performance.

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Tuition

Session One – Adult Ballet Beginning Summer Intensive

• Four-Day Intensive: $385

Session Two – Adult Ballet Intermediate Summer Intensive

• Four-Day Intensive: $385
• Full Five-Day Intensive: $480

Deposit and Refund Policy

A $100 non-transferable deposit is due at the time of registration to hold your spot.

A full refund minus a $25 processing fee is available for cancellations made on or before July 10.

After July 10, full payment is due and no refunds will be issued.

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Have Questions?

Not sure which session is right for you? Have questions about lodging in the area or other program details? Please feel free to reach out. We are always happy to help you decide what makes the most sense for your training.

Email us at info@DTNW.org or Text Us.

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Sample Schedule

The schedule below is provided as an example. Daily structure and content may vary by day and session.

Sample day #1
9:00-9:30	Check-in and Warm-up
9:30-11:15	Ballet Technique (every day)
11:15-11:30	Break
11:30-12:30	Pointe Work and Pre-pointe
12:30-1:30	Lunch
1:30-2:30	Turnout and Flexibility
2:30-3:30	Petit Allegro
3:30-3:45	Break
3:45-4:30	Injury Prevention & Therapy

Sample day #2
9:00-9:30	Check-in and Warm-up
9:30-11:15	Ballet Technique
11:15-11:30	Break
11:30-12:30	Variations
12:30-1:30	Lunch
1:30-2:15	Turns
2:15-3:15	Conditioning and Stretch
3:15-3:30	Break
3:30-4:30	Ensemble Work