About
Our summer intensive offers serious dance students extraordinary opportunities to train, rehearse, and perform alongside the professional dancers of Carolina Ballet.
RUTH S. SHUR
SUMMER INTENSIVE
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION | June 23 - July 26, 2025
Carolina Ballet provides extraordinary training with a renowned faculty of experienced professionals, including our Artistic Director/CEO Zalman Raffael in addition to the artistic staff and principal dancers of Carolina Ballet.
This summer our summer Guest faculty will consist of Michael Vernon, Chair of the Department of Ballet, Indiana University and Olga Kostritzky, world-renown ballet teacher/mistress. Over the summers past guest faculty have included Melissa Podcasy, founding ballerina of Carolina Ballet, Suki Schorer, former principal dancer New York City Ballet and Brown Foundation Senior Faculty Chair, SAB just to name a few of the instructors that our students have been able to work with.
Registration is now live!
RUTH S. SHUR SUMMER INTENSIVE INFORMATION
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Registration is now open! Go to the Audition Tour page, select your city and click on the Register button.
National audition tour is sponsored by Freed of London.
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Classes and rehearsals are held Monday through Saturday and include up to six hours of instruction and rehearsals each day. The program is designed to cultivate strong, well-trained artists. Classes in ballet technique, studies en pointe, variations, men’s class, men’s variations, modern/contemporary technique, jazz, Pilates, yoga, pas de deux*, and conditioning provide a strong foundation in classical training.
Repertory rehearsals are an integral part of the curriculum. Dancers will have the opportunity to develop their artistry and performance capabilities through the rehearsal and performing process. Students will work with company ballet masters and award-winning choreographers to strengthen these skills.
Additional curriculum highlights include the opportunity to see Carolina Ballet in action during open rehearsals as new ballets are created on the company. Also, a special lecture series with such topics as nutrition, health and injury prevention will provide an enhanced educational experience.
*Company men will be employed in pas de deux classes as needed.
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Session A:
June 23rd-July 26th, 2025 (5 Weeks)
Session B:
July 7th-26th, 2025 (3 Weeks)
Session C1:
June 23rd-July 5th, 2025 (2 Weeks)
Session C2:
July 14th-26th, 2025 (2 Weeks)
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5 weeks:
$3,3803 weeks:
$2,4182 weeks:
$1,820$200 registration fee
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The Room and Board tuition is $725 per week.
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Facilities:
Through our partnership with NC State University, we are working closely to form a seamless transition. All resident CBSI students will stay in Turlington Hall, centrally located to Fountain Dining Hall. Rooms include two extra-long twin beds. Similar to past summers, CBSI's operations will hold classes at NC State University and Carolina Ballet studios. Transportation will be provided for resident students to and from NC State University campus and Carolina Ballet studios during the program. Day students will need to be dropped off at the location of their classes.For Turlington Hall tours and info, visit Turlington Hall | University Housing. More information will be emailed in the coming months!
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This year, our proud partner school is NC State University, also known as "NC State" or "NCSU." Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, about halfway down the East Coast of the United States, NC State University is a key part of the Research Triangle region, which is home to industry leaders such as NCSU partners SAS, Cisco, IBM, GlaxoSmithKline and Lenovo. In 1887, NC State University began as a land-grant institution grounded in agriculture and engineering, striving to offer world-class teaching and research. Today they continue that mission as a public Research 1 university, ranking in the top 1% of universities in the world with over 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students. NC State University requires a higher caliber of safety protocols for the 2025 CBSI than in previous years. Museums, art galleries, restaurants and churches are within walking distance. Referred to as a “city within a park,” Raleigh boasts lots of fun things to see and do.
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– Guest Artist: TBA
– Master classes taught by ZALMAN RAFFAEL, Artistic Director of Carolina Ballet/CEO
– Fourth of July celebration
– Final Performances at Fletcher Opera Theater
– Weekend activities and excursions
– Apprentice program
Past guest faculty has included:
– Ashley Bouder, Principal dancer, New York City Ballet
– Megan Fairchild, Principal dancer, New York City Ballet
– Olga Kostritzky, World renown ballet teacher/mistress
– Suki Schorer, former principal dancer, New York City Ballet & Brown Foundation Senior Faculty Chair, SAB
– Michael Vernon, Chair of the Department of Ballet, Indiana University
*Please note that highlights are dependent upon the student’s session, class placement, and boarding status.
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Is there a scholarship or financial aid?
Yes. Scholarships are determined at the time of audition and are awarded by merit. There is not a separate application for scholarships.
How much pointe work is there?
Pointe is required and you will have pointe class six days a week.
Will there be a placement class when I arrive?
Yes, you will be re-evaluated week one and again week three.
Is living on campus at NCSU required?
No.
Levels
All levels have ballet, pointe, variations, modern/contemporary, jazz, Pilates, yoga, stretch, conditioning, and physical therapy injury prevention seminars.
Preparatory Division:
Ages 9-12
Non-pointe dancers with minimal ballet experience
Level 1:
Ages 10-12
Non-pointe dancers and/or dancers almost on pointe. Includes pre-pointe class.
Level 2:
Ages 12-15
Ballet dancers who have just started pointe work or with minimal years on pointe. Level 2 focuses on variations and pointe work in center.
Level 3:
Ages 12-16
Includes pas de deux class.
Level 4:
Ages 14-20
Includes pas de deux class and dance history class.
Summer Trainee:
Our highest level is selected through district evaluations at the discretion of the Director of SI with the CBSI Artistic Staff. In addition to specialized classes, Summer Trainees also have the opportunity to rehearse and perform with Carolina Ballet dancers during the final performance and work closely with Carolina Ballet's Artistic Director/CEO Zalman Raffael. From this elite group, a small selection of dancers may be asked to return for the upcoming Carolina Ballet season as company apprentices.
Men:
Includes men’s class with a focus on men’s technique, weight conditioning, and pas de deux at least two times a week.
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Please visit our Summer Intensive Audition Page for audition information and video audition application.
National audition tour is sponsored by Freed of London.
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Classes and rehearsals are held Monday through Saturday and include up to six hours of instruction and rehearsals each day. The program is designed to cultivate strong, well-trained artists. Classes in ballet technique, studies en pointe, variations, men’s class, men’s variations, modern/contemporary technique, jazz, character, Pilates, yoga, partnering*, and conditioning provide a strong foundation in classical training.
Repertory rehearsals are an integral part of the curriculum. Dancers will have the opportunity to develop their artistry and performance capabilities through the rehearsal and performing process. Students will work with company ballet masters and award-winning choreographers to strengthen these skills.
Additional curriculum highlights include the opportunity to see Carolina Ballet in action during open rehearsals as new ballets are created on the company. Also, a special lecture series with such topics as nutrition, health and injury prevention will provide an enhanced educational experience.
*Company men will be employed in partnering classes as needed.
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Classes and rehearsals will be held at Carolina Ballet’s professional studios and at Saint Mary’s School.
All dance spaces have sprung floors with professional quality dance surfaces.
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Saint Mary’s School offers a beautiful 23-acre campus filled with historic charm. The front campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a highlight on the North Carolina Civil War Trails. The Saint Mary’s Chapel, designed by Richard Upjohn, is a National Historic Site, and five of the school’s buildings are Raleigh Historic Properties.
Positioned near the heart of downtown Raleigh, Saint Mary’s location is ideal for students. Called a “city within a park,” Raleigh is packed with exciting things to see and experience. The school’s secure campus lies just blocks from the state capitol, the one-of-a-kind shops of The Village, and is within walking distance of museums, art galleries, restaurants, and churches.
This summer you will also find the campus is in a growth mode with building projects and upgrades that will be enjoyed in the coming 18 months like a newly renovated auditorium and performing arts area. Additional campus amenities include pool, library, in-room Wi-Fi, game room, and movie-viewing areas.
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Students accepted as summer trainees will have a specialized program that includes: The opportunity to be selected to rehearse and/or perform with Carolina Ballet. There will be a limited number of summer trainees, and of these, up to two may be selected to be apprentices with Carolina Ballet for the 2024-2025 season.
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Students from the ages of 12 to 21 may audition during our National Audition Tour. All students who attend an audition will receive notification of their acceptance by email 2-3 weeks after their audition. Please wait three weeks before inquiring about audition results. Each student will be evaluated and placed in the session that best matches their maturity and technical level, with an additional placement class on the first day. Once you have enrolled by sending in your enrollment form and deposit, all packets with information and additional required forms will be sent out by the end of March. All final payments must be made by May 1, 2024 at the very latest.
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Session A:
June 24 – July 27 (5 weeks) - $3250Session B:
July 8 – July 27 (3 weeks) - $2325Session C1:
June 24 – July 6 (2 weeks) - $1750Session C2:
July 1 – July 13 (2 weeks) - $1750Session C3:
July 15 – July 27 (2 weeks) - $1750Session D1:
June 24 – June 29 (1 week) - $875Session D2:
July 1 – July 6 (1 week) - $875Session D3:
July 8 – July 13 (1 week) - $875Session D4:
July 15 – July 20 (1 week) - $875 -
$670 per week
Resident students must be between the ages of 11 to 21 to stay on Saint Mary’s campus.
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– Guest Artist: TBA
– Master classes taught by ZALMAN RAFFAEL, Artistic Director of Carolina Ballet/CEO
– Fourth of July celebration
– Final Performances at Fletcher Opera Theater
– Weekend activities and excursions
– Apprentice program
Past guest faculty has included:
– Ashley Bouder, Principal dancer, New York City Ballet
– Megan Fairchild, Principal dancer, New York City Ballet
– Olga Kostritzky, World renown ballet teacher/mistress
– Suki Schorer, former principal dancer, New York City Ballet & Brown Foundation Senior Faculty Chair, SAB
– Michael Vernon, Chair of the Department of Ballet, Indiana University
*Please note that highlights are dependent upon the student’s session, class placement, and boarding status.
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Is living on campus at Saint Mary’s School required?
No.
Is there a scholarship or financial aid?
Yes. Scholarships are determined at the time of audition and are awarded by merit. There is not a separate application for scholarships.
How much pointe work is there?
Pointe is required and you will have pointe class six days a week.
Will there be a placement class when I arrive?
Yes, you will be re-evaluated week one and again week three.
