The Ballet Trainee Program of the Joffrey Ballet School is a four year program that is both competitive and intensive. From September through May, this program trains dancers in the classical ballet technique and artistry required for an active career in a professional company. The program demands a deep commitment on the part of the students and is recommended only to those students who are dedicated to working diligently and exclusively towards a professional career in dance.

At the Joffrey Ballet School, you will be exposed to all facets of the dance world, from choreography and music, to staging and costuming. You will see firsthand how all these aspects come together at the school, through the faculty who demand work of a professional grade, as well as the guest teachers and visiting artists with respected dance companies. The Joffrey Ballet School’s Ballet Trainee Program approaches training at a professional level comparable to a professional company environment, yet maintains the nurturing, personalized instruction of a school setting. As one trainee puts it, “You have a lot of people to impress.”

The Ballet Program is designed to develop pre-professional students with a classical ballet and contemporary background, balancing consistency and versatility in both classical and contemporary ballet and dance.  Courses include: Ballet technique; Pointe and Variations; Ballet Repertory; Pas de deux; Character; Horton Technique; Cunningham Technique; Limon Technique; Contemporary Dance; Jazz; Performance Studies; Choreographic Workshops, Kinetic Studies (Body Conditioning); Ballet Methodology; Career Planning; Critical Analysis; Music; Anatomy; Dance History; Health and Nutrition.

Students will be given performance opportunities throughout the year. They will be coached in established repertoire and will also have choreography set upon them. There will be smaller, intimate performances during the year culminating in a large Concert at the end of the school year.

The Texas Trainee Program is not accredited with the National Association of Schools of Dance at this time.

This Jazz & Contemporary division at the Joffrey Ballet School is geared toward those dancers who want to focus their training on Jazz and Contemporary styles of movement, while incorporating a wider knowledge of Classical Ballet training and Modern dance.

Students are exposed to a diverse range of styles from both past and present. The student’s attention will be focused on body awareness and creativity to prepare them for careers in education, performance, and choreography in Jazz and Contemporary styles of dance.

Students will be encouraged to embrace and explore a broad range of material that will help each of them develop his or her individual voice as an artist in this evolving art form. The curriculum will consist of both technical and academic/creative classes designed to fully prepare students for careers in dance, dance education, and choreography. Classes will be offered in various styles of Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Classical Modern, Contemporary Modern, Modern Partnering, Choreography, and Improvisation.

Students will be given performance opportunities throughout the year. They will be coached in established repertoire and will also have choreography set upon them. There will be smaller, intimate performances during the year culminating in a large Concert at the end of the school year.

The Texas Trainee Program is not accredited with the National Association of Schools of Dance at this time.

Tuition includes all classes offered to trainees at the school. Workshops and lectures are included; however, some require an extra fee depending on the costs incurred by the School to support them. Students are awarded significant scholarships, grants, work-study amounts by the Joffrey Ballet School.

Payment plans are offered monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and annually. Payments are due on the 1st of each month and start on August 1st of the school year.

Merit scholarships are awarded solely by the discretion of the artistic staff. New students are evaluated through their audition material and are encouraged to visit the school for further evaluation. Returning students are always being considered for merit scholarships by the artistic staff. Merit scholarships are re-evaluated every year of attendance and there is no guarantee they will carry over if the student hasn’t maintained a high standard during the year. Summer merit scholarships do not carry over to the fall. The merit application must be submitted every year in order to qualify.

Joffrey financial aid is determined solely by the student’s financial situation. Applications must be fully completed and submitted for evaluation prior to the beginning of the school year. Joffrey financial aid can only cover tuition costs

The Joffrey Ballet School prides itself on providing our students with several opportunities to perform. Being a part of a production provides the critical real-world experience necessary to begin a professional dance career.

Rehearsals are intense and will drive you to your own personal level of perfection. Performing is a key element in any dancer’s experience, knowledge, and pre-professional training.

The casting is determined by the Artistic Director who bases his decision on talent, experience, and the level of training achieved, but everyone will be given a role and/or an opportunity for an understudy position.

JBS offers Airport Transportation to and from the airport during the Trainee Year Round Program. These services include:
New York City

• Domestic/International Airport Pick-Up
• Domestic/International Airport Drop-Off

Texas

• Domestic Airport Pick-Up
• Domestic Airport Drop-Off

The Ballet Program is designed to develop pre-professional students with a classical ballet and contemporary background, balancing consistency and versatility in both classical and contemporary ballet and dance.  Courses include: Ballet technique; Pointe and Variations; Ballet Repertory; Pas de deux; Character; Horton Technique; Cunningham Technique; Limon Technique; Contemporary Dance; Jazz; Performance Studies; Choreographic Workshops, Kinetic Studies (Body Conditioning); Ballet Methodology; Career Planning; Critical Analysis; Music; Anatomy; Dance History; Health and Nutrition.

Students will be encouraged to embrace and explore a broad range of material that will help each of them develop his or her individual voice as an artist in this evolving art form. The curriculum will consist of both technical and academic/creative classes designed to fully prepare students for careers in dance, dance education, and choreography. Classes will be offered in various styles of Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Classical Modern, Contemporary Modern, Modern Partnering, Choreography, and Improvisation. Practical application of the curriculum will be exhibited in performance opportunities, which include a Spring and Winter performance, and in choreographic workshops. This is a unique program that provides the most diverse training in Jazz and Contemporary dance available in the country.

The program prepares artists for the competitive working world of dance in the fields of Concert dance, Broadway shows, Commercial industrials, and National and International tours. The trainee programs are advanced, pre-professional level programs. They prepare the students for a professional career by undergoing rigorous technical training Monday through Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm, rehearsals and performances, choreographic study, mentoring, and the individual evaluation of each student. Each program meets the needs of students ranging from 14 to 22 years of age.

All students are required to have either completed their high school diploma or be working towards their diploma to be enrolled in the program. We encourage students to participate in online education. For students living in our apartments we provide a study time following classes each day. For more information on online programs available please visit http://www.k12.com/

The curricula for the Ballet Trainee Program is divided into 5 sections. Students take 28 to 32 clock hours of classes per week depending on the semester. The total clock hours for the entire program is 4,369 which the student has four to six years to complete.

Courses in the program include:

Ballet technique; Pointe and Variations; Ballet Repertory; Pas de Deux; Character; Modern; Contemporary; Jazz; Performance Studies; Kinetic Studies (Body Conditioning); Ballet Methodology; Career Planning; Critical Analysis; Music; Anatomy; Dance History; Health and Nutrition. (Not all courses are given in every year.)

The Ballet Techniques section consists of 3 components, which are:

• Ballet
• Pointe
• Variations

This totals 1,337 clock hours.

The Contemporary Dance Techniques section consists of 2 components, which are:

• Contemporary
• Jazz

This totals 612 clock hours.

The Allied Dance Studies section consists of 4 components, which are:

• Partnering
• Kinetic Studies
• Character Dance
• Repertory

This totals 918 clock hours.

The Performance Studies section consists of:

• Rehearsals
• Performances

This totals 1088 clock hours.

The Joffrey Ballet School curricula for the Jazz & Contemporary Trainee Program is divided into 5 sections. Students take 28 to 32 clock hours of classes per week depending on the semester. The total clock hours for the entire program is 4,352 which the student has four to six years to complete.

The four-year program consists of Ballet Technique, Modern & Contemporary Techniques, Improvisation & Composition, Theater Dance, Hip Hop, Street Jazz, Dance History, Mentoring & Career Planning, Health & Nutrition, Anatomy, Music and Performance Studies.

The Jazz & Contemporary Dance Techniques section consists of 2 components, which are:

• Modern
• Jazz/Contemporary

This totals 1,224 clock hours.

The Ballet Dance Techniques section consists of 1 component, which is:

• Ballet Technique

This totals 1,020 clock hours.

The Allied Dance Studies section consists of 4 components, which are:

• Improvisation/Composition
• Theater Dance
• Hip Hop
• Street Jazz

This totals 1,088 clock hours.

The Allied Theory Studies section consists of 3 components, which are:

• Dance History
• Mentoring/Career Planning and either Health & Nutrition
• Anatomy or Music.

This totals 459 clock hours.

The Performance Studies section consists of:

• Rehearsals
• Performances

This totals 561 clock hours.

Attendance for all classes, both technique and academic, is compulsory.  Students who have already attained an equivalent credit may apply for advanced standing, determined at the discretion of the Artistic Director.

Teachers evaluate the students both throughout the year (the Progressive Assessment), and at the end of each Semester (the Final Assessment), using a system consisting of a graded letter A to F.

The Progressive Assessment throughout the year is based on a range of criteria including attendance and participation, group discussions and involvement, work ethic, and general standard and progress.

The Final Assessment is based on a written essay, a written or oral test, and a classroom presentation, and the students have to achieve various course objectives.  Some courses require the student to be assessed in front of a panel of instructors.

The Progressive Assessment and the Final Assessment marks are mixed in the ratio of 60% to the Progressive Mark, and 40% to the Final Assessment Mark.

The grades are assessed as follows:

Students at risk of failing are identified early, and are counseled. Students are encouraged to seek a progress report from their classroom teacher at any time through the Semester. Each student receives a list of the expected competencies which they need to gain at the end of the course, and a clear expectation of results is articulated. Students who do not achieve a grade D or higher do not pass.

The Joffrey Ballet School faculty meets regularly to discuss students’ needs and progress, and each student will receive career counseling. In addition, students are provided with evaluations and one-on-one meetings with the Artistic Director during each semester.

Evaluations will include assessments of technical progress, focus, comprehension of concepts, application, and retention of corrections, work ethic, performance quality, and attendance.

We recognize the need to be mentored and guided beyond corrections and conversations with faculty. When training at the Joffrey Ballet School, you are assigned a mentor to assist you in your numerous career decisions, as well as to guide you through your day-to-day life.

The mentors are dancers themselves with over fifteen years of professional dance experience. You will be assigned a mentor within the first few weeks of attending the program.

The School has a Health & Wellness office run by a Health & Wellness Coordinator, Tia Feather.  Tia assists with all nutrition needs, illness, counseling referrals and deals with injuries on campus.  She is available to discuss any health issues which student mays need information or advice on.

Unusual Pain/Injury
If you are having any unusual pains or you are concerned about an injury please speak to your instructor. If your instructor feels that you need to see a doctor or physical therapist please come to Health and Wellness office on the fourth floor for a list of doctor suggestions. You may also call the Harkness Center to set up an appointment on your own at 212.598.6022 or you may reach out directly to your health insurance company for a list of covered providers. We advise dancers to seek medical treatment from doctors with a specialty in treating dancers.

Supportive Shoes for City Life
Please try to wear sneakers or supportive shoes when walking around the city, especially if you are not used to walking on NYC pavement (it is very hard). If you do wear flip flops or open toed shoes make sure any blisters or open cuts are covered so they do not get infected.

Hydration 101
Stay Hydrated! Please drink water during class at appropriate times, on your breaks and after classes. Snack healthfully throughout the day to keep your energy up and get plenty of sleep.

Warm Up and Stretch
Do not forget to put extra time aside for warming up and stretching each day. Remember, your muscles should be activated and warm prior to stretching. You should be warm and stretched before classes begin for the day to prevent injury and maximize performance.

Preventive Tip for Your Feet
Please always cover your feet or dance shoes when walking in the hallways or dressing rooms. Please use the handrail and do not run on the stairs.

The School has a Health & Wellness office run by a Health & Wellness Coordinator, Tia Feather.  Tia assists with all nutrition needs, illness, counseling referrals and deals with injuries on campus.  She is available to discuss any health issues which student mays need information or advice on.

Unusual Pain/Injury
If you are having any unusual pains or you are concerned about an injury please speak to your instructor. If your instructor feels that you need to see a doctor or physical therapist please come to Health and Wellness office on the fourth floor for a list of doctor suggestions. We advise dancers to seek medical treatment from doctors with a specialty in treating dancers.

Hydration 101
Stay Hydrated! Please drink water during class at appropriate times, on your breaks and after classes. Snack healthfully throughout the day to keep your energy up and get plenty of sleep.

Warm Up and Stretch
Do not forget to put extra time aside for warming up and stretching each day. Remember, your muscles should be activated and warm prior to stretching. You should be warm and stretched before classes begin for the day to prevent injury and maximize performance.

Preventive Tip for Your Feet
Please always cover your feet or dance shoes when walking in the hallways or dressing rooms. Please use the handrail and do not run on the stairs.