For more information and application response times, please refer to the quick sheet below.

Trainee/BFA Registration & Application Guide

Step 1:

Registration For Accepted Dancers:
After a dancer is accepted into the program the first step they need to complete is our application form. Financial Aid & Merit Results will not be released until this is completed.

New York BFA/Trainee (Open to all)
Click here to Register

Step 2:

Apply For Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available to all students, both US Citizens & International.

NY Students (US Citizens)

• Dancers will have graduated from High School by 9/1/21. Dancers must complete the FAFSA application.  Click here to Register
• Dancers will not have graduated from High School by 9/1/21. Dancers must complete the FAST application.  Complete the FAST here

International Students

• Dancers must complete the FAST application.  Complete the FAST here

Step 3:

Merit Scholarships

If you are applying for a merit scholarship you need to complete the following:

• New Students need to schedule a trainee tour and take class for further evaluation or submit an electronic video of their dancing for further review. This can be uploaded directly while filling the application in Step 1. If you are not able to schedule a visit or submit a video your merit results will be based on your audition for the program.
• Current Jazz/Contemporary & Ballet Trainee’s need to submit an essay outlining why they feel they are deserving of merit and what they hope to gain with a scholarship. This can be uploaded directly while out the application in Step 1 above.
• All current students are evaluated during the school year. Merit scholarship decisions will be made based on the student’s growth in the program, attendance and artistic achievement. Students’ grades will be analyzed and any failing grades will prevent the student from receiving merit.

New York

• Fall 2023: September 1 – December 17

• Spring 2024: January 17 – May 13

New York Calendar

• NYC Ballet Trainee Calendar
• NYC Jazz & Contemporary Trainee Calendar

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. Students perform to sold-out venues in New York City.

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.

NYC Ballet Program

Students will have an abundance of opportunities to perform. These opportunities will include an In-Studio performance of class work (October), The Nutcracker (December), and the Spring Performance (May). Students may also be involved in lecture demonstrations in and around our community. Students of the Joffrey Ballet School are coached in and perform the works of our founders Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, William Forsythe, and the Petipa repertoire, among many others.

Our annual Spring performance offers a mixed bill that covers a wide selection of dance styles and eras. From the works of Petipa, to Robert Joffrey, to current NYC Dance Artists, the concert is meant to display the versatility in training and artistry for which Joffrey Ballet School is known. The Spring performance is a culmination of a year’s worth of hard work and dedication.

Ballet Trainees are required to participate in our annual Spring performance. Rehearsals begin in the second term, immediately following the Student Choreography Workshop.

NYC Jazz & Contemporary Program

Students will have an abundance of opportunities to perform. These opportunities will include various Student Choreography Shows, and the Spring/Winter Performance (May). Students may also be involved in lecture demonstrations in and around our community.

Student Choreography Workshop: This workshop is an opportunity open to all year-round Trainees to learn about the intricacies and challenges of producing choreography. Students are mentored by both faculty and choreographers who help to develop, refine, and rehearse their work. Students are provided with the opportunity to further explore and develop choreographic and performing talents, as well as elements of production. Students are responsible for creating their own work, casting dancers, rehearsing, and costuming. Students may choose to choreograph their own piece or assist another student in developing his or her work. This is an invaluable experience for every dancer.

As a continuation of their classroom technical study, students participating in this workshop will deepen their artistic voice as they experiment with a variety of stimuli to create dance. In addition, they will refine their understanding of the elements and skills of both technique and composition. The Student Choreography Workshop provides a stable foundation from which the student is encouraged to take risks in order to gain knowledge of themselves and others as multi-leveled individuals and artists. They are encouraged to awaken all the senses through a thorough awareness of the body, in communication with the mind. Students are mentored by the Artistic Staff, working one-on-one with our faculty each week leading up to an in-house studio performance.

Download our 2022-2023 Joffrey Ballet School Trainee Course Catalog

Financial Aid

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. The Joffrey Ballet School is able to award institutional financial aid to all students. Title IV funding is available to US Citizens graduated high school prior to September 1st.

For students eligible for Title IV funding we offer a Net Price Calculator to help determine costs.

Net Price Calculator - Click here

Financial Aid & Merit Scholarship Handbook

Cares Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

The Joffrey Ballet School received funds through the Cares Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. For information on how these funds were distributed please click here.

At the Joffrey Ballet School we know that funding your child’s training can be a large financial strain. We try our best to help our students through financial aid grants & work study.

Domestic Students Still in High School

These loans are available to students whose parents are American Citizens and the student is not eligible for loans through the Federal Title IV program. (still in high school).

High School Graduates

Students:
✔ Sign Master Promissory Note
✔ Complete Entrance Counseling

Parents (if a Plus loan is being taken out)
✔ Sign Master Promissory Note
All of the above can be completed at the following website: www.studentloans.gov

You are not obligated to take out any loans that have been offered to you. You can take out any amount up to the maximum amount shown in your award letter. If your parents want to take out a parent plus loan a credit check must be run and passed.

Click here to run a request for credit check

Download Joffrey Student Loan Information

In the 3rd and 4th years of the Ballet Trainee Program, in addition to their dance classes, students are exposed to and trained in Pedagogy. The purpose is not only to promote greater insight into training but also to provide them with the necessary skills and gain practical experience teaching in the classroom. The Joffrey Ballet School recognizes that professional dancers often make the transition from performing to teaching later in their career or support themselves with teaching during their dance career.

Please note that students are not receiving a certificate in teaching. The pedagogy classes are complementary to their professional dance training. If the student realizes they would prefer to move from professional dancing to teaching due to their exposure to pedagogy principals in this program, the faculty will be available to guide them as to how they can best pursue their new interest.

Ballet or Jazz/Contemporary Concentration

Dancers spend over 75% of their time in the studio

Ballet Concentration

• Ballet Technique
• Pointe
• Pas de Deux
• Contemporary Ballet
• Contemporary
• Character
• Variations
• Composition

Jazz/Contemporary Concentration

• Contemporary
• Modern
• Ballet Technique
• Jazz
• Street Jazz
• Musical Theater
• Hip Hop
• Latin Jazz
• Composition

Academic Requirements (BFA ONLY)

• English – 2 Semesters
• Math – 1 Semester
• 33 General Education Credits

Academic Courses (BFA ONLY)

• Creative Process and Production
• Language, Literary & Cultural Studies
• Scientific and Quantitative Inquiries
• Social and Historical Perspectives

The School has a Health & Wellness office run by a Health & Wellness Coordinator, Giuliana Hazelwood.  Giuliana 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.