Dance Theatre Northwest is excited to announce our Youth and Teen Ballet Summer Intensive 2026, a focused, immersive program designed to strengthen ballet technique, build artistry, and grow performance skills in a supportive and motivating environment.
Students will train with DTNW faculty and special guest instructors who bring both high standards and a thoughtful approach to coaching young dancers. Dancers can expect to leave the week stronger, more confident, and better prepared for the year ahead.
Program Overview
The Youth and Teen Ballet Summer Intensive is a five-day program designed for dancers who want more than a regular summer class. This week provides concentrated training, coaching, and choreography with a pace and structure that helps dancers make noticeable progress.
Whether a dancer is looking to build confidence, improve technique, or get more comfortable performing, this intensive offers an encouraging environment with the right level of challenge.
Space is limited, and enrollment is capped to support a strong training environment. Early registration is encouraged.
Prerequisites
This intensive is open to dancers ages 12–23, or as young as 10 with special permission based on years of training.
Participants should have some prior classical ballet training and be comfortable working in a structured, multi-day program. Dancers are expected to have a basic understanding of ballet terminology and the ability to follow combinations appropriate for their level.
This program is designed to support dancers who are continuing to build strength, confidence, and technical understanding, while also offering challenges that encourage growth.
Areas of Focus
Throughout the Youth and Teen Ballet Summer Intensive, dancers will work on technical and artistic elements that support strong, healthy training and performance readiness. Areas of focus include:
- Classical Ballet Technique
- Alignment, Placement, and Core Strength
- Turnout and Flexibility
- Petit Allegro and Jump Mechanics
- Turns and Traveling Steps
- Musicality and Performance Quality
- Variations and Repertoire
- Ensemble Work and Spacing
- Conditioning and Stretch
- Injury Prevention and Healthy Training Practices
Training on Sprung Dance Floors
All classes in the Youth Ballet Intensive take place on professionally installed sprung dance floors. Designed specifically for dance, these raised, shock-absorbing floors provide a responsive surface that supports proper technique, balance, and alignment.
During an intensive with multiple hours of daily training, a sprung floor plays an important role in supporting young dancers. It helps reduce impact on growing bodies while allowing dancers to move confidently through jumps, turns, and longer combinations. The result is a studio environment that supports both the physical demands of intensive training and the development of strong, healthy ballet technique.
Dates
July 27–31, 2026
9:00–4:30 daily
Daily end times may vary slightly by day.
Community Performance
As part of the Youth and Teen Ballet Summer Intensive, dancers will learn a short ballet piece during the 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 evening, where participating dancers may choose to share what 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.
A small costume cleaning fee will apply to dancers who participate in the performance.
Tuition
Youth and Teen Ballet Summer Intensive (Five-Day Program): $450
Partial attendance is available, and tuition for dancers attending fewer days will be calculated on a per-day basis. Please contact us directly for per-day pricing and availability.
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.
Have Questions?
Not sure if this intensive is the right fit for your dancer? Have questions about experience level, what to expect during the week, or lodging options in the area? Please feel free to reach out. We are always happy to help you decide what makes the most sense.
Email us at info@DTNW.org.
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) |
| 11:15-12:30 | Turns and Traveling Steps |
| 12:30-1:30 | Lunch |
| 1:30-2:00 | Musicality and Performance Quality |
| 2:00-3:15 | Turnout and Flexibility |
| 3:15-4:30 | Ensemble Work and Spacing |
| Sample day #2 | |
|---|---|
| 9:00-9:30 | Check-in and Warm-up |
| 9:30-11:15 | Ballet Technique |
| 11:15-12:30 | Performance Rehearsal: Ensemble Work |
| 12:30-1:30 | Lunch |
| 1:30-2:30 | Conditioning and Stretch |
| 2:30-3:30 | Injury Prevention and Healthy Training Practices |
| 3:30-4:30 | Petit Allegro |
