Auditions  //  Year-Round Professional Training Program 2023-2024

​*This page contains information about auditioning for the 2023-2024 school year of the Professional Training Program.
Dancers who are interested in auditioning from the 2024 Summer Programs or the 2024-2025 Professional Training Program should register for our 2024 Audition Tour.

**Those wishing to be invited into the year-round program are strongly encouraged to audition for and attend one of our summer programs first. 
The summer intensive programs are considered “Phase Two” in the audition process for acceptance into the year-round program. This allows Mr. Ellison and the faculty to see how the student works over an extended period of time, and allows the student to get first-hand experience of Ellison Ballet, its faculty, and programs, thereby allowing both to determine whether the student and school are a good fit. ​​

Audition Information

​Audition Requirements
  • Applicants should have a strong basic classical foundation in relation to their level and age.
  • Age Requirements:
    • Preparatory Level:  Ages 10-13 
      *Exceptional 9-year-olds may be considered.
    • Junior Ladies/Senior Ladies/Men's Levels [Full-Day Program]:  Ages 13-19 
  • Dancers should audition with the age group that they fall into on the date of the audition.

Audition Process
  • ​Register online for your audition. 
  • There are three ways to audition; all are given equal consideration:
    • In-person audition - July 9
    • Video audition
    • Privately scheduled audition *Additional fees may apply
  • Audition Registration Fee (Non-Refundable): $40
  • Students must upload two recent photos with their audition registration: 
  • While pre-registration online is strongly preferred, walk-in registration is available.
  • Audition dress code:
    • Girls -- solid color leotard, full-length pink or skin-tone tights, ballet slippers, pointe shoes
      *Pointe shoes are not required for students auditioning for the Preparatory Level, though young ladies should bring their pointe shoes if they have begun pointework.
    • Boys -- white t-shirts, full-length black tights, ballet slippers​​

Acceptance and Enrollment Process
Upon completing an audition, participating students will receive a letter indicating acceptance, wait-list, or non-acceptance within two weeks. 
​Accepted students will receive an invitation letter along with enrollment forms detailing the fees, deadlines, etc.

**For questions regarding the Professional Training Program or the audition process, please email info@ellisonballet.org.
​No phone calls please unless urgent.
​

In-Person Auditions

​Ellison Ballet will hold in-person audition classes for 2023 entry to the year-round Professional Training Program on the following date: 

Sunday, July 9, 2023
Ages 10-14    Check-In: 11:00am  Audition: 11:45am-1:30pm
Ages 15-19    Check-In: 1:00pm   Audition: 1:45pm-3:30pm

Location:
Ellison Ballet Studios/Manhattan Movement & Arts Center
248 West 60th Street
New York, NY 10023

Audition Photos:
Students must upload two photos with their online registration: 1st arabesque and tendu a la seconde. 
​
​Audition Fee: $40

Walk-In Registration:
Online pre-registration online is strongly preferred, however, walk-in registration is available. Walk-in registrants should bring a smartphone or other internet capable device to fill out the registration form and a credit or debit card for the registration fee.

Video Auditions

Audition Photos:
Students must upload two photos with their online registration: 1st arabesque and tendu a la seconde. 

​Audition Fee: $40

Video Submission Guidelines:
  • Video submissions should be approximately 15-20 minutes in length.
  • Videos do not need to be professionally filmed, but should show the student's full body clearly.
  • Videos can be filmed in a dance studio or home dance space. See below for home studio set up guidelines.
  • Dress code:
    • Girls -- solid color leotard, full-length pink or skin-tone tights, ballet slippers, pointe shoes
    • Boys -- white t-shirts, full-length black tights, ballet slippers
  • At the beginning of the video, you should introduce yourself and state your age, the number of year(s) of ballet/dance study, the number of years of pointe work (if applicable), the name(s) of your current school and teacher(s), and any previous summer intensive programs, festivals and/or international ballet competitions in which you have participated.
  • Video should demonstrate barre and center exercises, including adagio, tendus, pirouettes, grand pirouettes, petit, medium, and grand allegro, tours en l'air for men, fouettes and pointe work (if applicable) for ladies. You may also include a classical ballet variation if desired.
    ​**We understand that some students who do not have access to a studio or suitable space may not be able to include all requested exercises.

***You MUST register online to submit a video audition. Unregistered candidates will not be considered for Ellison Ballet programs. 
​***DO NOT SEND VIDEOS VIA EMAIL. Video links must be submitted within the online registration form.


Privately Scheduled Auditions

If a student is unable to submit a video audition, in some cases students may be able to schedule a private audition with an Ellison Ballet faculty member.

Audition Photos:
Students must upload two photos with their online registration: 1st arabesque and tendu a la seconde. 

​Audition Fee: $40   *Additional fees apply.

Private Audition Guidelines:
  • Students must register for their audition online.
  • Upon submitting the online audition registration form, students should email Managing Director Diane di Stasio at diane@ellisonballet.org to arrange their audition.

Setting Up Your Home Dance Space For Video Auditions


We understand that every student’s situation and home is different, and understand that all families do the best they can within their space and financial restrictions. Where the use of an actual dance studio is not possible for a Video Audition, the following recommendations are optional and encouraged, but are not required:
  • Clear your space as much as possible to create the largest possible dancing area.
  • Move extra furniture out of the space if possible, or to the edges of the room.
  • Arrange your camera/device and lighting fixtures to allow for the student to be clearly lit. Use curtains or sheets or portable lamps to optimize your lighting.
  • Place your camera/device where your body can be fully visible, including your feet.
  • We recommend the purchasing of Marley or dance floors where possible. Where a dance floor is not possible, we recommend having a yoga mat or similar item available to help prevent slips and cushion jumps.
  • Many portable ballet barres are available for purchase. Other families have made their own using railings and wall brackets purchased from Amazon or hardware stores. To stabilize a portable barre that is too light or unsteady, some dancers have found a solution using sandbags, dumbbells, or other weights to secure the feet of the barre.
  • If a barre is not available, please find another suitable replacement. Options may include railings or banisters, kitchen counters, backs of couches or heavy chairs, or other furniture.
Scholarships:
Scholarships are limited and considered for students of exceptional talent and need and granted at the sole discretion of Ellison Ballet. Students receiving scholarship are expected to make early decisions about attendance. 

Notice of Non-Discrimination Policy
Ellison Ballet admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of any of the aforementioned qualities or characteristics in its recruitment and admission of students, educational policies, scholarship programs, and the operation of any of its school-administered programs.

For more information, please email us at:  info@ellisonballet.org