Professional Program

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the Professional Program is to train students for a professional ballet career while they pursue their academic education on an adjusted schedule. While the Program is open to out of state dance students, the Program gives the opportunity to receive intensive ballet training for dance students who want to remain close to home and family in Vermont.

NEBC believes that children aiming for a career in dance benefit most from an intensive ballet training program if they start such training before puberty, ideally before 11 years of age. While most professional ballet school and dance schools offering an intensive ballet training program in the United States open their programs only to older children, mostly high school students, NEBC admits children as young as 10. Older candidates may apply and those admitted are individually integrated into the program. However, the admission requirements become more demanding for the more advanced levels of the program. Students are selected through a two stage audition process.

NEBC's Professional Program is based on a six year syllabus program based on the French school of classical ballet. Almost four centuries old, the French School has evolved to train highly talented ballet dancers capable of performing the classics in the purest form but also a versatile range of choreographic styles. It is the goal of the NEBC's Professional Program to transmit the tradition of French classical ballet to form professional dancers whose technique and artistic abilities and skills able them to succeed in the best dance companies.

SPECIAL FEATURES

• an early start in dance professional training
• integrated scheduling of dance and academic programs
• career services
• special clinics to assist students throughout the Program
• individualized pedagogical approach
• international faculty trained to use and teach NEBC's syllabus
• frequent personal assessment of students
• performance and demonstration opportunities

CURRICULUM

TYPICAL WEEK

10-11 years of age:
ballet class (1h30 x 5), folk dance (1h x 2), conditioning (1h x 2), mime (1h x 1), improvisation (1h x 1), swimming and exercise in pool (1h x1 Saturdays), basic anatomy class (1h x 1 Saturdays), music appreciation (1h x 1), acrobatics (1h x 1)

11-12 years of age:
ballet class (1h30 x 5), folk dance/court dance (1h x 2), music appreciation (1h x 2), conditioning (1h x 2), dance history (1hx 1 Saturdays), pointe (1/2 h x 4), acrobatics (1h x 1), nutrition (1h x 1 Saturdays), anatomy applying to dance (1h x 1)

12-13 years of age:
ballet class (1h30 x 5), yoga (1h x 2), conditioning (1h x 2), character dance (1h x 2), pointe (1h x 3), anatomy applying to dance (1h x 1)

13-14 years of age:
ballet class (1h30 x 5), modern (1h x 2), yoga (1h x 2), pointe (1h x 3), injury prevention (1h x 1 Saturdays), conditioning (1h x 2), character dance (1h x 2), boys' upper body work (1h x 2), anatomy applying to dance (1h x 1)

14-15 years of age:
ballet class (1h30 x 5), jazz (1h x 2), pas de deux (1h x 2), pointe (1h x 4), floor barre (1h x 2 (one on Saturday)), make-up classes (1h x 1), boys' upper body work (1h x 1), conditioning (1h x 2)

15-17 years of age:
ballet class (1h30 x 5), variations du repertoire (1h x 1), floor barre (1h x 2), pointe (1h x 4), pas de deux (1h x 2), survey course on the professional environment of ballet and world dance companies (1h x 1 (one on Saturdays)), survey course on choreographic styles (1h x 1 (one on Saturdays)), audition preparation class (1h x 1)

With very few exceptions, most students will repeat a year in their training. Repeating a year is not a sign of failure. Rather it gives the opportunity for students to better their training and be ready for challenges ahead.

For students starting their ballet training in NEBC's Professional Program, pointe work is introduced in the last semester or so of the second year of the training program. Regular pointe classes become part of the curriculum in the third year and on.

Rehearsals for performances are scheduled so that the flow of academic studies and regular dance curriculum is not compromised.

Field trips are organized so that students gain experience in watching ballet and other theatrical performances in Burlington, Albany, or Montreal. Students are chaperoned by NEBC personnel on these trips.

Performance experience is an intrinsic part of the Professional Program at NEBC. Therefore, students participate to all NEBC performances and various events sponsored or organized by NEBC, such as outreach programs. Students also have the opportunity to be part of Albany Bershire Ballet's annual production of Nutcracker.

HOST FAMILY

Lodging is available with host families.

ADMISSIONS (audition a two step process)

In order to be considered for the Professional Program, candidates must first audition for the summer intensive. Attendance in the summer intensive enables us to determine candidates' eligibility to enter the Program and their dance level for placement in the Program.

Evaluation of the candidates includes factors like motivation to enter an intensive ballet program such as the one at NEBC, musicality, coordination, and physical and artistic abilities. Candidates need not have previous ballet training in order to be considered for NEBC's Professional Program.

Candidates may audition by video cassette. The video tape must demonstrate some barre and center work of the candidate and must be submitted with the application form and 2 photos in ballet attire in a standing dance position, one facing and one profile.

TUITION FEES

The fee schedule 2007-2008 is based on a 40 week program.

• Tuition for Day Students (no room and board): $5,200.
• Tuition for Resident Students (with room and board): $14,200.

For more information and audition date, contact NEBC at PO Box 8251, Essex, VT 05451.
Telephone Number: (802) 865-6800

PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM REGISTRATION