Due to COVID-19 some of our in person audition options are unavailable, see below about attending a LIVE Zoom Audition Class.

For questions, please  email Nancy Cole at ncole@joffreyballetschool.com

• Virtual Audition
• Audition by Video
• Audition at one of Joffrey’s Summer Intensive audition locations.

Dancers are encouraged to submit video footage with their application if accepted via summer program auditions for merit scholarships

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.

Texas Trainee (Only open to US Citizens)
Click here to Register

Step 2:

Apply For Financial Aid

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

TX 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.

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.

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 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.

Texas Program

Students will participate in two main stage performances during the year. These will take place at theaters in the Dallas area. Students will perform a diverse range of repertoire from classical to cutting edge contemporary work. Additional in studio and outreach performance opportunities will be available as well throughout the year.

Texas

• Fall 2020: September 8 – December 19

• Spring 2021: January 18 – April 30

Texas Calendar

• TX Trainee Calendar

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.

Dancers are encouraged to submit video footage with their application if accepted via summer program auditions for merit scholarships.

Financial Aid & Merit Scholarship Handbook

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.

Financial Aid & Merit Scholarship Handbook

Speak with Tia Feather – High School Academic Liason

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. Students can study through the KeyStone program provided at the school (tuition is additional) or investigate other online learning opportunities

Keystone Overview

Students at the Joffrey Ballet School have had success through the Keystone School. The Keystone School is a fully accredited, teacher supported, diploma granting private school of K12 Inc., a leader in the growing field of online and blended learning – using the web, hands-on materials, and support to provide individual attention and academic support. Keystone students at Joffrey Ballet School are awarded additional high school credit for their JBS dancing and coursework, allowing Keystone academic transcripts to reflect the rigorous JBS training.

For more information on Keystone Program, please contact our on-site Learning Coordinator, Tia Feather, directly at tfeather@keystonehighschool.com.

For more information on the Keystone Program, please contact Keystone Student Services at info@keystoneschoolonline.com 

Phone: 800-255-4937
Fax: 570-784-2129

Teachers evaluate the students both throughout the year (the Progressive Assessment), and at the end of each Term (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 Term. 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 term.

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.