INTERNATIONAL REPERTOIRE INTENSIVE *NEW*


2-Week Program in LOS ANGELES
June 5-16, 2023
Ages: 12-24

This new summer intensive offers the unique opportunity for talented dancers to be immersed in the world’s most acclaimed styles of ballet, including Russian, Balanchine, French, and Bournonville. 

Choreography will be staged and coached by some of the most sought after masters of each style (see faculty below), and the intensive will culminate with an exciting performance at the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center at USC Los Angeles.

Open to male and female students ages 12-19 and professional ballet dancers up to age 24.

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Find out more about the 4-Week Summer Intensive,  Classical Variations Intensive,  Pas de Deux Intensive, ​or Year-Round Professional Training Program.

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​Elisabeth Beyer, 1st Place, YAGP 2018 (c) VAM; Sabrina Yap in La Sylphide (c) Andrew Fassbender, Caden Santander in Markitenka (c) Kyle Froman, Taro Kurachi in La Bayadere (c) Ani Collier

Tuition


IRI - Los Angeles - Two Weeks: $2450

​*Audition fees, registration fees, and housing costs are not included in tuition.
**We offer a $300 tuition discount for students participating in two or more summer programs (with a total attendance of six weeks or more). This discount does not apply to students on scholarship.
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faculty

Jolanta Valeikaite |  IRI: Russian Style Technique & Repertoire
Born and raised in Vilnius, Lithuania, Ms. Valeikaite graduated with honors from the National Ballet Academy Vilnius (Vaganova-based). As a student, she received her first major break at the age of 18, debuting in the title role of “Giselle,” whereupon she was promoted to soloist in the Lithuanian National Ballet Company. In 1981, she received a full scholarship to study at the Bolshoi Theater with teachers M. Semionova, T. Vetrova, and B. Akimov. A principal dancer for 10 years with the company, her roles include “Giselle,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Swan Lake,” “Raymonda,” “Nutcracker,” "La Sylphide,” and “Coppelia”. Additionally, she appeared as a guest artist with V. Vasiliev—E. Maximova Company in the U.S.A., France, and at the celebration of the 50th Anniversary Gala of V. Vasiliev at the Bolshoi Theater and R. Page’s “The Nutcracker” in Chicago. In 1988, Ms. Valeikaite received prizes in the International Ballet Competitions in Moscow, Varna, and Paris. Upon moving to Germany in 1992, she became a principal dancer and Bonn Ballet and Essen Ballet. Her roles include: “Romeo and Juliet,” “Three Sisters,” “Cinderella,” “Hamlet”, choreographed by V. Panov & “Before Night Falls”, choreographed by Nils Christy, “Adagio Hammerklavier”  by Hans van Manen, “The Four Last Songs” by Rudi van Dantzig, “7 Symphony” by Toer van Schayk. In 2000 and 2001, Ms. Valeikaite worked as an assistant choreographer in the new production of S. Prokofiev’s “Classical Symphony” and “The Rite of Spring”, choreographed by X.Peng-Wang at the National Ballet Company Vilnius, Lithuania and Central Ballet Company in Beijing, China. In 2001, Ms. Valeikaite moved to the U.S.A. In 2003-2014, she taught at Ballet Arts in Worcester, MA and from 2007-2014, she was a ballet mistress and faculty member at the Festival Ballet Providence in Rhode Island. Since 2014, Ms. Valeikaite has been a faculty member at the Ellison Ballet.
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Nilas Martins | IRI: Bournonville Style Technique & Repertoire
Nilas Martins, born in Copenhagen, received his early dance training at the Royal Danish Ballet School. As a student he performed with the Royal Danish Ballet in such works as John Neumeier’s Romeo and Juliet, August Bournonville’s Konservatoriet, A Folk Tale, Napoli and Glen Tetleys’s Firebird. In 1984, he moved to New York and enrolled at the School of American Ballet. In September 1986 he became a member of New York City Ballet. In 1991, he was promoted to the rank of soloist and in 1993 to Principal dancer. In New York City Ballet, Mr. Martins danced numerous featured roles and worked closely with choreographers: John Alleyne, Lynn Taylor Corbett, Boris Eifman, William Forsythe, Peter Martins, Trey McIntyre, Kevin O’Day, Jerome Robbins, Susan Stroman, Richard Tanner among others. Mr. Martins film credits include: “Live from Lincoln Center” broadcast of Ray Charles in Concert, “The Nutcracker” released in 1993 by Warner Brothers, “Dance in America” telecast of “Dinner with Balanchine” where he danced the role of Apollo with Paris Opera Etoile Isabel Guerin. “Lincoln Center Celebrates Balanchine 100” where he danced ‘The Man I Love’ from Who Cares? featuring Wynton Marsalis. Mr. Martins ‘ teaching resume’ include Armitage Gone Dance, BalletMet, Boston Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, Harvard University, Indiana University, Joffrey Ballet School, Miami City Ballet, National Ballet of China, NBA Ballet (Japan), New York City Ballet, Novosibirsk Ballet (Russia), NYSSA Summer Intensive, Princeton University, Royal Danish Ballet, School of American Ballet and Washington Ballet. Mr. Martins was one of ten fellows selected from both domestic and international applicants, to study under Michael Kaiser as a Devos Institute for Arts Management fellow at the Kennedy Center from 2010-11. Since 1996, Mr. Martins has been a Repetiteur for the George Balanchine Trust and stages ballets for companies and schools domestically as well as internationally. In addition to his work with the Balanchine Trust, Mr. Martins stagings include his own choreography, along with ballets from the August Bournonville and Peter Martins repertoire.
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Karin Averty | IRI: French Style Technique & Repertoire
​Karin Averty was born in France. Her ballet training began with Yvonne Goubé at the Centre de Danse de Paris. In 1973, she was admitted to the Paris Opera Ballet School and joined the company in September 1979 at age 16. In July 1980, she received international recognition early in her career when she won the Grand Prix at the International Ballet Competition in Varna. In 1983, she rose to Premiere Danseuse at the Paris Opera Ballet. Under Artistic Director Rudolf Nureyev, Karin performed leading roles in his versions of Raymonda, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and La Bayadere. She danced in masterpieces by prestigious choreographers such Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Patrice Bart, August Bournonville, Nils Christe, Agnes De Mille, Michel Fokine, Martha Graham, James Kudelka, Pierre Lacotte, Harald Lander, Serge Lifar, Kenneth McMillan, John Neumeier, Vaslav Nijinsky, Jerome Robbins, Leo Stats, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Antony Tudor and Hans Van Mannen. In 1986, the Paris Opera Ballet Friends Association (AROP) awarded her its Prix du Public. The following year, William Forsythe chose Karin to be in the original cast of In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated. In August 1987, Karin took a one-year leave of absence from the Paris Opera Ballet to become a Principal Dancer with the San Francisco Ballet under Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson. In 2003, Karin received her official ballet teaching diploma, the Diplöme d'Etat de Professeur de Danse. In 2004, the Prime Minister of France honored her with the National Merit Order as a Chevalier (Knight). Since 2009, Karin has been a freelance ballet teacher and coach for ballet companies, universities and ballet schools, among them: Juilliard, Alvin Ailey, ABT/JKO, The Rock School, Boston Ballet, Ballet West and Kansas City Ballet. She has served as a judge for international ballet competitions such as Varna and the Youth America Grand Prix. From 2016-2019, Karin was on the ABT JKO School Faculty. From 2019-2020, Karin was appointed ABT Studio Company Ballet Mistress. She has taught, staged works, judged competitions, and served as a rehearsal director for prestigious summer programs, schools, companies, and competitions across the country including Boston Ballet, Ballet West, Alberta Ballet Canada​, and Joffrey Ballet Academy of Dance Chicago. Karin is a Steps on Broadway ballet faculty member teaching on Friday and Sunday in-studio and virtual open classes.
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Zippora Karz | IRI: Balanchine Style Technique & Repertoire
​Zippora Karz is a former soloist ballerina with the New York City Ballet where she performed for 16 years on stage and in televised performances. She was featured in a variety of roles choreographed by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins as well as works choreographed for her by such choreographers as Peter Martins and Lynne Taylor Corbett. Today, as a repetiteur for the George Balanchine Trust, Zippora stages Balanchine ballets for schools and companies around the globe. Diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the age of 21,  she is passionate today about motivating others to take care of themselves and live their dreams. She is the author of, The Sugarless Plum, as well as her children’s story, Ballerina Dreams. www.zipporakarz.com

Facilities


Classes of the IRI - Los Angeles will take place at the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center on the USC campus in Los Angeles, California.
USC photos (c) Ema Peter.
Photos: Students at the Ellison Ballet intensive at USC studios in 2022 (c) Diane di Stasio.