***All information below is subject to change pending COVID-19 restrictions and circumstances.***
AUDITIONS & AUDITION RESULTS:
Do I need to audition? Should I register for my audition in advance?
Yes, all Ellison Ballet programs enroll students by audition only and all students must register online to audition for any Ellison Ballet program. Detailed audition information as well as the online audition registration form for Summer 2023 can be found on our Audition Page.
Walk-in registrations are accepted at all in-person audition sites. Walk-in students will need to fill out our online audition form on-site from their mobile device.
All potential applicants are strongly encouraged to register for their audition online in advance.
How do I audition for the Summer 2023 programs?
Students can audition in-person during our 14-city Audition Tour (including three audition dates in New York City) or via video submission. Detailed audition information for Summer 2023 auditions can be found on our Audition Page.
Are there Covid-19 protocols in place for in-person auditions during the Audition Tour?
Please note the following location-specific protocols:
- Our San Jose and Washington, D.C. locations require all participants to wear a mask at all times while inside their facilities, including during the audition.
- Our Boston location requires all participants to show either proof of Covid vaccination or to provide a negative Covid test (at-home tests are acceptable) taken not more than 24 hours prior to the audition time.
What if I am not able to attend any of the audition dates listed?
Students not able to attend a scheduled in-person audition can register for a video audition through our online audition registration form.
What size should the audition photos be? Do they need to be professionally taken? What photos/positions do I need?
All students must upload two photos with their online audition registration:
- 1st arabesque
- tendu a la seconde
Photos can be in pointe shoes or ballet slippers - students should choose the option that best demonstrates their ability.
Audition photos do not need to be professionally taken (photos taken on a cell phone are just fine), so long as the photos are clear, taken in a well-lit area, and show the student's full body.
Photo files must be cropped to square BEFORE uploading to our registration form in order to display correctly. Photos in portrait or landscape orientation will not display correctly.
Photo files should be labeled with the student's full name and pose (ex: Jane Smith Arabesque, not IMG_0123).
How many programs can I audition for? What levels and programs will I be considered for?
You can audition for as many programs as you would like, and may specify on your audition registration which programs you would like to be considered for. Some students may receive acceptance to programs other than those they have requested if the faculty deem it appropriate. Students are considered for all levels of the programs. Students who enroll in two or more programs (with 6 or more total weeks of attendance) will receive a $300 tuition discount (does not apply to students on scholarship).
What can I expect during the audition?
The audition class will consist of barre, center, pointe for the women if applicable and men's technique for the men.
Who will be adjudicating my audition?
All auditions are conducted by Artistic Director Edward Ellison and/or Ellison Ballet full-time faculty members.
When will I receive my audition results? How will they be sent to me?
Most audition results are sent out via email within two weeks of the audition date, although some results may take up to three weeks during the busy season. Students who have urgent deadlines upcoming for other programs may email the Ellison Ballet Summer Intensive Coordinator at summer@ellisonballet.org to request audition results early. However, we ask that students be patient and wait for their results by email whenever possible.
Can I audition for just the year-round program during the Summer Intensive audition tour?
Yes, but please know that the summer intensive programs are considered “Phase Two” in the audition process for the year-round Professional Training Program. Participating in one of the summer programs 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.
Auditions for the year-round program are held during the four-week Summer Intensive each year for interested students.
I’ve received an acceptance to an Ellison Ballet summer program but I’m still waiting to hear back from other programs.
Each student’s acceptance letter states a deadline by which they must submit their enrollment forms and tuition deposit in order to secure their place in the program. Students who wait until after their deadline are NOT guaranteed a place in the intensives and can be enrolled only if space is available.
I received a waitlist letter. What now?
Students who have been offered a place on the waitlist must respond to their email within ten days confirming that they would like to remain on the waitlist. Students who do not respond will not be placed on the waitlist. Students who have accepted a place on the waitlist will typically receive their final results in March.
May I request and receive feedback from my child’s audition?
Unfortunately, Ellison Ballet and its staff are unable to offer feedback for any audition.
enrollment process
I’ve been accepted! How do I enroll?
All students who wish to enroll and save their spot must fill out their online enrollment form and upload their invoice with first payment by the deadline listed in their acceptance letter.
The online enrollment forms will include a series of enrollment information questions, and within it you will need to upload the following items:
- Invoice with payment information
- Your invoice is included in the attachment with your acceptance letter.
- Please check off your selected programs and payment method on your invoice before uploading. Payment can be made by credit card, check, Zelle, or wire transfer. Please see your invoice for full payment policies.
- Checks can be mailed to Ellison Ballet at 248 West 60th Street, New York, NY, 10023.
- Please label the file "Last Name, First Name - Invoice" (ex: "Smith, Jane - Invoice.pdf")
- Photocopy of student's medical insurance card
- Please label the file "Last Name, First Name - Insurance" (ex: "Smith, Jane - Insurance.jpg")
- Physician's Release form
- While we prefer all items to be uploaded at time of enrollment if possible, we understand it can take more time to secure a doctor’s appointment and we allow Physician’s Release forms to be turned in separately as late as May 1. Please submit all your other forms by your deadline in order to hold your place. If submitting Physician's Release after the point of enrollment, please email to summer@ellisonballet.org.
- Please label the file "Last Name, First Name - Physician Release" (ex: "Smith, Jane - Physician Release.pdf")
- Photo for Student ID
- This does not need to be a professional photo, but should show the student's face clearly. Hair pulled back is preferred.
- Please label the file "Last Name, First Name - ID Photo" (ex: "Smith, Jane - ID Photo.jpg")
Accepted file types for all uploads include PDF, JPG, JPEG, PNG.
Once you have been accepted, we encourage you to enroll as soon as possible. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Once classes have filled, we will no longer be able to accept additional registrants. After the deadline listed in your acceptance letter has passed, we cannot guarantee your space.
Where can I find tuition and deposit information?
All tuition and deposit information can be found on the invoice included with your acceptance letter. Please note that late fees are assessed on all late payments as outlined in the Payment Policies, and we are not able to send reminders for payments due or deadlines; please refer to your invoice for all relevant information and make careful note of your payment due dates.
I’m trying to submit my enrollment forms by the deadline but can’t get an appointment at the doctor’s office to sign the Physician’s Release before then. What should I do?
While we prefer to receive all materials at once, we understand that it may take several weeks to secure a doctor’s appointment and we allow Physician’s Release forms to be turned in separately as late as May 1. Please submit all your other forms (except Physician’s Release) filled out completely along with the payment by your deadline in order to hold your place.
When will I receive more information about the program?
All enrolled students will receive a Student Handbook via email in late spring providing detailed information about the program.
Note: All students and parents must sign and submit the online Student Handbook Agreement (asserting that they have read the Handbook and agree to abide by the policies therein).
All students who have reserved a room at Ellison Ballet housing will also receive the Housing Handbook with information regarding staying in student residences.
Note: All students staying in EB housing must sign and submit the online Housing Handbook Agreement (asserting that they have read the Handbook and agree to abide by the policies therein) included at the end of the online Housing Reservation Form.
I am an international student. Do I need a visa or special documentation to attend the summer program?
For the summer program, you may attend on a tourist visa.
Can I apply for a scholarship or financial aid?
Ellison Ballet awards a limited number of merit-based tuition scholarships for the summer program. All students are automatically considered during the audition process. If a scholarship is not noted in your child's acceptance letter, this indicates that your child was not awarded a merit-based scholarship.
Parents may request and complete a financial aid application in order to be considered for need-based financial assistance. Financial aid funds are limited and considered on a first-come, first-served basis. You may not apply for financial aid prior to receiving an acceptance letter. However, we encourage interested parents to apply as soon as possible once they are notified of their child's acceptance as application processing may take several weeks.
about the program
Will precautions be taken regarding COVID-19?
Covid protocols will be implemented accordingly if mandated by local, state, or federal authorities OR if the Ellison Ballet administration deems it necessary at the time of the summer intensive.
What happens if the Intensive(s) can't be held in person due to COVID-19? Does the tuition change?
While we are currently planning to hold the Intensive(s) in-person, in the unlikely event the Intensive(s) must pivot to a virtual format due to government mandate, lockdown, other pandemic-related reasons, or as-yet-unforeseen causes outside the control of Ellison Ballet, all registration fees, tuition fees, scholarships, and refund/payment policies will remain the same as indicated on your invoice for in-person instruction.
Where do the Ellison Ballet summer programs take place?
University of Southern California - Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center in Los Angeles, California:
Can I do just a part of a program (ie: just two weeks of the Four-Week Ellison Ballet Summer Intensive or just one week of the Classical Variations or Pas de Deux Intensive)?
We highly discourage partial participation, as the summer curriculum builds progressively over the course of the program. If extenuating circumstances prohibit a student from participating fully, we request that the family send an email to explain their situation in writing and request approval.
What is the daily schedule like?
A sample schedule is included in the online enrollment form and in the Student Handbook. Individual schedules are provided each weekend for the upcoming week. The full schedule for the first week of the EBSI is sent out at the end of the first day, following placement classes.
Class schedule for all programs is Monday-Friday.
IRI: Daily from 12:00 - 6:00 pm. Details to follow.
CVI/PDDI: Daily from 12:00 - 6:00 pm.
Each day’s classes include: Classical Technique + Pointe, Variations OR Classical Pas de Deux and Contemporary Pas de Deux
EBSI: Depending on the level assigned, your EBSI schedule begins between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm and ends between 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
Each level has a minimum of 3-4 classes per day. These include: Classical Technique, Pointe, Variations, Pas de Deux, Russian Character, Contemporary, Workshop, Separate Men’s Technique/Variations
How are levels determined for accepted students?
Placement classes for EBSI are typically held on the first day of the program. In some cases, students may be initially placed according to age and the faculty will then observe over the first few days to ensure that all students are placed appropriately, making changes as necessary. Placement for all other programs is determined at the discretion of the faculty.
What is the dress code?
Please see our Dress Code page for complete information. The Student Handbook also lists a number of NYC dancewear stores for your convenience.
Are there planned activities for my child when they are not dancing? How do I sign up for weekend activities?
Ellison Ballet offers optional weekly group activities including tickets to world-class performances at Lincoln Center, the Joyce Theater, Broadway shows, sunset skyline dinner cruises, Disneyland (LA) and more. Ticket costs are not included in tuition. Ticket order forms are sent out in March/April; parents are welcome to join but must purchase additional tickets. Additional activities including museum visits, picnics in Central Park, shopping, and more are arranged by chaperones in the residence hall for interested students. Ellison Ballet students get to experience the best of NYC and LA!
*All activities are pending COVID-19 availability and restrictions.
Is there a performance at the end of the program?
There are no formal performances at the end of the New York intensives. Instead, family members are invited to watch the final day of all their child’s classes on the last Friday of each program. Photo and video recording are permitted, however no flash photography. Los Angeles’s International Repertoire Intensive performance TBD.
*Parent observation may follow a different format TBA pending COVID-19 restrictions.
Can I be considered for the Professional Training Program while participating in the Summer Intensive?
Ellison Ballet holds auditions for the Professional Training Program during the four-week Summer Intensive in NYC each year, as well as video auditions. All summer students interested in being considered for the year-round program should register for and attend these auditions.
Where do your students come from?
Ellison Ballet welcomes talented students from across the United States and from dozens of countries around the world!
Will precautions be taken regarding COVID-19?
Covid protocols will be implemented accordingly if mandated by local, state, or federal authorities OR if the Ellison Ballet administration deems it necessary at the time of the summer intensive.
What happens if the Intensive(s) can't be held in person due to COVID-19? Does the tuition change?
While we are currently planning to hold the Intensive(s) in-person, in the unlikely event the Intensive(s) must pivot to a virtual format due to government mandate, lockdown, other pandemic-related reasons, or as-yet-unforeseen causes outside the control of Ellison Ballet, all registration fees, tuition fees, scholarships, and refund/payment policies will remain the same as indicated on your invoice for in-person instruction.
Where do the Ellison Ballet summer programs take place?
University of Southern California - Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center in Los Angeles, California:
- International Repertoire Intensive: LA (2 weeks | June 5-16, 2023)
- Ellison Ballet Summer Intensive - NYC (4 weeks | June 19-July 14, 2023)
- Classical Variations Intensive - NYC (2 weeks | July 17-28, 2023)
- Pas de Deux Intensive - NYC (2 weeks | July 17-28, 2023)
- Year-Round Professional Training Program
Can I do just a part of a program (ie: just two weeks of the Four-Week Ellison Ballet Summer Intensive or just one week of the Classical Variations or Pas de Deux Intensive)?
We highly discourage partial participation, as the summer curriculum builds progressively over the course of the program. If extenuating circumstances prohibit a student from participating fully, we request that the family send an email to explain their situation in writing and request approval.
What is the daily schedule like?
A sample schedule is included in the online enrollment form and in the Student Handbook. Individual schedules are provided each weekend for the upcoming week. The full schedule for the first week of the EBSI is sent out at the end of the first day, following placement classes.
Class schedule for all programs is Monday-Friday.
IRI: Daily from 12:00 - 6:00 pm. Details to follow.
CVI/PDDI: Daily from 12:00 - 6:00 pm.
Each day’s classes include: Classical Technique + Pointe, Variations OR Classical Pas de Deux and Contemporary Pas de Deux
EBSI: Depending on the level assigned, your EBSI schedule begins between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm and ends between 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
Each level has a minimum of 3-4 classes per day. These include: Classical Technique, Pointe, Variations, Pas de Deux, Russian Character, Contemporary, Workshop, Separate Men’s Technique/Variations
How are levels determined for accepted students?
Placement classes for EBSI are typically held on the first day of the program. In some cases, students may be initially placed according to age and the faculty will then observe over the first few days to ensure that all students are placed appropriately, making changes as necessary. Placement for all other programs is determined at the discretion of the faculty.
What is the dress code?
Please see our Dress Code page for complete information. The Student Handbook also lists a number of NYC dancewear stores for your convenience.
Are there planned activities for my child when they are not dancing? How do I sign up for weekend activities?
Ellison Ballet offers optional weekly group activities including tickets to world-class performances at Lincoln Center, the Joyce Theater, Broadway shows, sunset skyline dinner cruises, Disneyland (LA) and more. Ticket costs are not included in tuition. Ticket order forms are sent out in March/April; parents are welcome to join but must purchase additional tickets. Additional activities including museum visits, picnics in Central Park, shopping, and more are arranged by chaperones in the residence hall for interested students. Ellison Ballet students get to experience the best of NYC and LA!
*All activities are pending COVID-19 availability and restrictions.
Is there a performance at the end of the program?
There are no formal performances at the end of the New York intensives. Instead, family members are invited to watch the final day of all their child’s classes on the last Friday of each program. Photo and video recording are permitted, however no flash photography. Los Angeles’s International Repertoire Intensive performance TBD.
*Parent observation may follow a different format TBA pending COVID-19 restrictions.
Can I be considered for the Professional Training Program while participating in the Summer Intensive?
Ellison Ballet holds auditions for the Professional Training Program during the four-week Summer Intensive in NYC each year, as well as video auditions. All summer students interested in being considered for the year-round program should register for and attend these auditions.
Where do your students come from?
Ellison Ballet welcomes talented students from across the United States and from dozens of countries around the world!
housing
Is there housing offered? Where do students stay while attending an Ellison Ballet summer program?
Yes, Ellison Ballet provides dormitory-style housing to all accepted Summer Intensive students. Please check our Housing page for more information.
How do I reserve housing?
The online enrollment form will ask whether you would like to reserve housing for your student. All families who check "yes" on this form will receive a housing registration form, housing payment contract, and Housing Handbook in March/April with further instructions on how to confirm your housing reservation and make payment.
Do most summer students use Ellison Ballet housing? What if my child is younger?
About 60-80% of Ellison Ballet summer students reside in the residence while participating in Ellison Ballet summer programs. Students from all age groups stay in the residence, with most students being ages 14+. Our chaperones are extremely attentive, especially at making sure our youngest 12- and 13-year-old students feel safe and welcome!
What is the supervision like for the students?
Ellison Ballet chaperones live on-site at the residence with the students. The chaperones are thoroughly vetted and background-checked with an extensive application process. Most chaperones are moms of students currently attending the program. They are there to assist the students with activities like grocery shopping, cooking, doctor’s appointments, mediating roommate issues, and any other needs that may arise during a student’s stay in the EB residence. There is also a chaperone on-site at the Ellison Ballet studios at all times.
How can a parent become a chaperone?
Parents interested in chaperoning can email summer@ellisonballet.org to request a Chaperone Application. We request that interested chaperones be able to commit to a minimum of two weeks. Chaperones are provided their room. NYC chaperones are provided a weekly Metrocard by Ellison Ballet.
The child’s room is not discounted when the parent is a chaperone.
How are roommates assigned?
You may request a roommate on the online Housing Reservation Form (sent separately in the spring to all students who reserve housing upon enrollment). If you do not request a roommate, your child will be placed with another student near to them in age and/or level. Your student will room with a student of the same gender. Please let us know if you have specific rooming requests that you would like us to accommodate. Based on the information you provide in the online Housing Form, we will make every effort to accommodate your requests. However, that is not always possible. In the event of a roommate conflict, Ellison Ballet reserves the right to relocate roommates to another room.
Can my housing student have their own room? Will my student share a bathroom?
We offer single and double rooms. In NYC, each room has its own bathroom, so students in single rooms will have their own bathroom, while students in double rooms share a bathroom with their roommate only. In LA, the rooms are set up suite-style, with two bathrooms in each two bedroom suite.
Is there a housing curfew?
Yes. Curfews and other residence rules and policies are outlined in the Housing Handbook.
What is included in the dorm rooms? Is there a kitchen?
Please refer to our Housing page for more information. Additional information will be included in the Housing Handbook.
How do students travel between the residence and the studio?
Los Angeles: The studios, accommodations, and dining and shopping options in Los Angeles are all located on the USC Campus which is gated and monitored by security guards. The residence is a 3-minute walk through the USC Village to the dance studios. Students are encouraged to travel together, especially after dark.
New York City: Most students take the subway (a 7-minute ride). Others choose to walk (approx. 30-minute walk). The simple route is explained in the Housing Handbook.
Parents can choose the level of supervision their child will receive while traveling when filling out travel permission options on the online Housing Reservation Form (sent separately in the spring to all students who reserve housing upon enrollment).
Options include (NYC only):
- Chaperoned at all times
- Must travel with one or more students
- May travel alone
I’m booking flights. When is move-in/move out? When do classes start and finish?
LA Two-Week International Repertoire Intensive (IRI)
Housing Check-In Date: Sunday, June 4, 2023
Classes Begin: Monday, June 5, 2023
Classes End: Friday, June 16, 2023
Housing Check-Out Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023
NYC Four-Week Ellison Ballet Summer Intensive (EBSI)
Housing Check-In Date: Sunday, June 18, 2023
Classes Begin: Monday, June 19, 2023
Classes End: Friday, July 14, 2023
Housing Check-Out Date: Saturday, July 15, 2023 (except for those continuing on to CVI/PDDI)
NYC Classical Variations and Pas de Deux Intensives (CVI/PDDI)
Housing Check-In Date: Sunday, July 16, 2023
Classes Begin: Monday, July 17, 2023
Classes End: Friday, July 28, 2023
Housing Check-Out Date: Saturday, July 29, 2023
The housing staff and chaperones will be available to assist you to ensure a smooth move in and move-out. Students arriving prior to 1pm may store their luggage in the lobby storage area until their room becomes available.
What do students need to bring with them to live in the dorms?
A suggested packing list can be found in the Housing Handbook, which is sent in March/April to all students who reserve housing.
Is there Wi-Fi at the residence?
All residence locations are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi access.