ABOUT THE PROGRAM
What is the Ellison Ballet - Professional Training Program?
This year-round training program is designed to meet the needs of those dedicated students ages 10-21 who seek the highest standard of classical ballet education to prepare for a professional career.
Working daily under Edward Ellison's artistic direction, and his faculty's careful guidance, students develop the essential skills to fully explore and realize their greatest individual potential. This program is based on the Vaganova method, a system of training that is logical, thought-provoking, inspiring and highly effective. There is great emphasis on our men's program, focusing on the development of the power, stamina, and masculinity associated with strong male technique. Along with daily lessons in classical technique, students are immersed in learning the classical repertoire and are exposed to a variety of workshops to develop fluency in various styles of dance.
Ellison Ballet is thrilled to announce that beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, the year-round Professional Training Program has expanded to include the new Preparatory Level for serious young dancers ages 10-13. This exclusive opportunity offers dedicated students the chance to build the strong classical foundation necessary to prepare them for the upper levels of the program, and, ultimately, a professional classical ballet career.
What is the difference between the levels and divisions?
The Professional Training Program is split into three levels and two divisions:
Preparatory Level
- Partial-day/after school division (classes on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings; see below for specific schedule)
- Ages 10 - 13 (exceptional 9-year-olds may be considered)
- Male and female students
- Classes take place at the St. Veronica’s Cultural Center on Christopher Street
- International student visas and housing are not available for this level.
- These students will receive a minimum of 15 hours per week of world-class training from highly-qualified, renowned masters of the craft. This exclusive opportunity offers dedicated students the chance to build the strong classical foundation necessary to prepare them for the upper levels of the program, and, ultimately, a professional classical ballet career.
- Full-day division (classes run Mon-Fri, 10:30am-4:30pm)
- Ages 13 - 16
- Male and female students
- Classes take place at Manhattan Movement and Arts Center on West 60th Street.
- M-1 International Student Visas available
- Housing available
- This level focuses on providing excellent technical and artistic fundamentals for the serious ballet student who is ready to commit to full day training. Extra care is given to the development of correct technique, fluid port de bras, and precise footwork, as well as cultivating a deep understanding of classical ballet artistry and musicality.
Senior Level
- Full-day division (classes run Mon-Fri, 10:30am-4:30pm)
- Ages 16 - 21
- Male and female students
- Classes take place at Manhattan Movement and Arts Center on West 60th Street.
- M-1 International Student Visas available
- Housing available
- Designed for students with a strong foundation, this advanced level focuses on refining classical technique, enhancing artistic skill and versatility. Daily technique classes are supplemented with advanced pas de deux work, study of male and female variations, contemporary technique, repertoire, and more.
- ***We are excited to announce that select Senior Level students, as they begin preparing for professional company auditions, will be chosen for our new Trainee track. Students designated as trainees will participate in special workshops and opportunities tailored to prepare them for the next stage of their careers.
What is the daily schedule like?
Individual schedules are provided each weekend for the upcoming week.
Preparatory Level:
Classes are held Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri 4:30-7:30pm and Saturdays from 11:00am-2:00pm.
Classes include Classical Technique, Pointe, Character, and Contemporary.
Junior/Senior Levels:
Classes are held Monday through Friday, 10:30am-4:30pm.
Classes include Classical Technique, Separate Men's Class, Pointe/Variations, Male Variations, Pas De Deux, Contemporary, Conditioning, Character, Music, Workshops, Repertoire
How are levels determined for accepted students?
Each student is placed into a level by the Artistic Director and faculty based on their age, strength, and technical ability at the time of their audition.
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.
Is there a performance at the end of the program?
Performances are held each December and May featuring the students in a variety of classical and contemporary repertoire.
Where do your students come from?
Ellison Ballet welcomes talented students from across the United States and from dozens of countries around the world!
AUDITIONS & AUDITION RESULTS
How do I audition for the Professional Training Program?
Students can audition in-person live in New York City (auditions are held in July each year; dates are posted in late Spring) or via video submission.
Some private auditions may be available on a case-by-case basis. Students who are unable to attend the July audition or submit a video should email [email protected].
Detailed audition information for 2024-2025 auditions can be found on our Audition Page.
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 can be found on our Audition Page.
Walk-in registrations are accepted at all in-person audition sites. Walk-in students should arrive at least 15 minutes early and will need to fill out our online audition form on-site from their mobile device. Walk-in auditionees must have a credit or debit card to pay the audition fee.
All potential applicants are strongly encouraged to register for their audition online in advance.
Can I audition during the Summer Intensive Audition Tour or during the Summer Intensive?
Students can audition for the Professional Training Program during the Summer Intensive Audition Tour, but are strongly encouraged to attend a summer program, as the summer intensive programs are considered “Phase Two” in this 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.
Students who attend a Summer Intensive and express interest in the year-round Professional Training Program should register for the in-person audition held each July.
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).
What levels will I be considered for?
Students should indicate on their audition form whether they are interested in the Preparatory Level (partial-day division, ages 10-13) or the Junior / Senior Levels (full-day division, ages 13-21), or both. Accepted students will be placed into a level that best suits their age and ability at the faculty’s discretion.
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 slightly longer. Students who have urgent deadlines upcoming for other programs may email [email protected] to request audition results early.
I’ve received an acceptance to the Ellison Ballet - Professional Training 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 programand 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 five 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 late July or early August.
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 September 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 [email protected].
- 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.
Note for returning students: Credit card information for tuition and housing payments is not kept on file from year-to-year. Families who wish to pay by card must fill out their card information on their invoice and/or housing contract.
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 September 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 mid-August providing detailed information about the program. Students will also receive the Code of Conduct & Rules and Regulations at this time.
Note: All students and parents must sign and submit the online Agreements (asserting that they have read the Handbook and Code 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 Professional Training Program?
Ellison Ballet is authorized under Federal Law to enroll non-immigrant alien students to the full-day program (Junior/Senior Levels). Student visas are not available for students enrolling in the Preparatory Level. International students who are invited to enroll in the upper levels of the Ellison Ballet - Professional Training Program will be required to obtain an M-1 Student Visa. Ellison Ballet will provide the student with the necessary forms and instructions on how to apply for the visa. For more information, please contact Managing Director, Diane di Stasio at [email protected].
Can I apply for a scholarship or financial aid?
Ellison Ballet awards a limited number of merit-based tuition scholarships. 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.
housing
Is there housing offered? Where do students stay while attending an Ellison Ballet?
Ellison Ballet provides dormitory-style housing to all accepted full-day students. Please check our Housing page for more information.
Housing is not available for students in the Preparatory Level.
How do I reserve housing?
The online enrollment form will ask whether you would like to reserve housing for your student. All families of full-day students who check "yes" on this form will receive a housing registration form, housing payment contract, and Housing Handbook in mid-August with further instructions on how to confirm your housing reservation and make payment.
Do most students use Ellison Ballet housing? What if my child is younger?
About 50% of Ellison Ballet students reside in the residence while participating in the Ellison Ballet - Professional Training Program. 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 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. 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.
How can a parent become a chaperone?
Parents interested in chaperoning can email Managing Director Diane di Stasio [email protected] to request a Chaperone Application. 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 to all students who reserve housing upon enrollment). If you do not request a roommate, your child will be placed with another 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. 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.
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?
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::
- 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?
Classes begin September 12, 2023. Students may move into the dorm between September 1, 2023 and September 11, 2023. The housing staff and chaperones will be available to assist you to ensure a smooth move in and move-out.
Housing contracts initially cover the period from September 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. Students will need to give notice by May 1, 2024 as to whether they intend to vacate their room at the end of this period or extend their contracts through the summer months. A separate contract will be issued for summer housing extensions.
The complete dates for all school class periods, closures, and breaks can be found on the School Calendar.
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 August to all students who reserve housing.
Is there Wi-Fi at the residence?
All residence locations are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi access.
Covid-19
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 any time during the program.
Do students have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to attend Ellison Ballet?
At this time we are not requiring students to be vaccinated. During the registration process, students will be asked whether or not they are vaccinated in case this information should become relevant before or during the program. Students who are vaccinated will be asked to submit their vaccine records.
What happens if classes can't be held in person due to COVID-19? Does the tuition change?
While we are currently planning to hold all classes in-person, in the unlikely event the school 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.
What is the protocol if a student tests positive during the school year?
Ellison Ballet follows all recommended CDC and NYC guidelines in place at the time of the program.