2009 Summer Intensive Program
June 22 - July 31, 2009

New level 2-5 three week program option!
levels 3-5 three week options or six week program:

 Three week program option 1: June 22-July 10, 2009
three week program option 2: July 13-July 31, 2009
six week program option: june 22-July 31, 2009

Students placed in levels 2, 3, 4, and 5 for the 2009 summer program, have the option of either attending the first 3 weeks of the summer, the last 3 weeks of the summer, or the entire 6 week summer program. Upon acceptance, students will receive a registration form in which they will indicate which option they choose. For students that choose one of the 3 week options, parents may attend the last day of classes for observation. Level 5 students that attend the full 6-week program will perform in the end of the summer performances on July 30 and 31, 2009.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Audition process

What should I bring to the audition?
We ask that you bring two photos: 1.) a headshot and 2.) a full body photograph of you in leotard and tights in arabesque (any photo size).  There is also a $25 audition fee, cash only.

When will I receive the results of my audition?
Audition results will be emailed out no later than two weeks after each audition.  Please do not call Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy as results will be conveyed by email only.

What if I am an international student unable to attend a scheduled audition?
Foreign students and U.S. students granted special permission by the Academy Office are welcome to submit a DVD/Video audition.  Please download a DVD/Video audition form and submit it with your audition materials.  The deadline for all DVD/Video auditions is February 7, 2009. 

*Disclaimer: Although we welcome early video entries, we cannot guarantee they will not be reviewed until after the deadline on February 7, 2009.

about the summer program

What makes Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy's Summer Intensive Program different from other summer programs?
Our summer program offers six full weeks of intensive classes with performances at the end, whereas some programs offer only two or three week sessions. Also, students in levels 2-5 have an option to take a 3 week session or 6 week session.  Our extensive program offers dancers the opportunity to make advances in technique.  Our dancers see a difference in their body and in the way they dance.  Also, while some programs only offer enough time to gain a small idea of what their year-round program is like, our summer intensive gives students a real feel for Houston living and what life is like with the Houston Ballet family.

What type of curriculum does Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy offer?
Students will have classes 6 days a week in ballet technique, Pointe, men's classes, pas de deux, classical variations and repertory, including modern, character, jazz, drama, musical theater, and social dancing.  Classes in dancer health and well-being are also offered, as well as career studies courses.  Houston Ballet also has a pilates program, which offeres both private and group pilates sessions.

What are the costs and payment details for the program?
Tuition for the 2009 Summer Intensive Program will be posted here shortly for students in Levels 5-8.  Tuition for Levels 5-8 include a ticket to Houston Ballet's performance of Swan Lake on Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 2:00pm.

Pre-paid lunches from a local deli are available to all students and are delivered to the Academy Monday-Friday for an additional cost.  Students may also purchase lunches on their own from one of the many grocery stores or restaurants located within walking distance from the Academy.  Other weekend activities are available at an additional cost.

Please note that all tuition and housing fees must be paid prior to June 1, 2009.

Payment Plan:
Payments may be made in installments. The payment plan and schedule will be posted shortly.

The artistic staff of Houston Ballet awards a limited number of scholarships for the summer program.  Financial aid is available for students in need.  Students may apply for aid by requesting a financial aid application from the Academy Office and turning it in with their registration papers.

Where will I live?
Students attending our program have several housing options.

Chaperoned Domitory
Location and cost will be posted here shortly.

For an additional fee, we can provide transporatation to and from the airport during check-in and check-out dates. Transportation fees will be announced shortly.

Non-chaperoned Living
There are many apartments within walking distance to Houston Ballet.  The Academy provides assistance to students looking for an apartment and/or roommate(s).  Houston Ballet is centrally located.  A grocery store, pharmacies, banks, delis, banks, shopping, etc. are all within a five minute walking distance.  Many students use bicycles for transportation.  The Wortham Theater, Houston Ballet's performance house, is a ten minute car ride to the downtown area from most apartment locations.  Average rent ranges from US $600.00 a month for shared living to US $800.00 single living.

Home Stay
Students have the option of living with a home-stay family.  Meals and transportation to the ballet are provided by the home-stay family.  Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy can assist students with inquiries.  Home Stay costs approximately $800 per month.  Please visit www.homestayhouston.com for more information.

Who will be teaching my classes?
Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy classes are taught by world-renowned instructors, including current and former Houston Ballet company dancers. 

Instructors include:
Stanton Welch, Artistic Director
Shelly Power, Associate Director
Claudio Munoz, HBII Ballet Master
Steven Woodgate, Ballet Master
Louise Lester, Ballet Mistress
Dawn Scannell, Ballet Mistress
Priscilla Nathan-Murphy, Lower School Principal
Cheryne Busch, Principal Instructor
Barbara Bears, Principal Dancer
Phillip Broomhead, Instructor
Sabrina Lenzi, Instructor
Sally Rojas-Herrera, Instructor
Jim Payne, Instructor
Bridget Payne, Instructor
Frances Perez Ball, Instructor
Rose Taylor, Instructor 

For full bios on these and other Houston Ballet staff, please visit Inside Houston Ballet.

Do we get a chance to perform?
At the conclusion of the 6-week program all students in levels 5-8 participate in two public performances. Level 2-5 students that participate in one of the 3 week options will have an observation day on their last day of classes. Performance dates, times and location will be announced shortly. 

about the 2009-2010 year-round program

What if I am interested in Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy's year-round program?
The summer program is an excellent opportunity to sample what it is like to live in Houston and attend classes at Houston Ballet all year long.  Students will live in Houston and attend field trips to see Houston beyond the ballet.  They are also given the chance to become acclimated to our buliding, staff, and our close working relationship with Houston Ballet Company.  Should a student decide to audition for the year-round program, they will be given an early audition in July.  Students should begin to consider whether or not they plan to audition now, prior to the summer, and consider housing, education, and transportation costs.

How much will my tuition cost?
Level 8 tuition will be posted here shortly. 

Is financial aid available?
Artistic staff of Houston Ballet award a limited number of merit-based scholarships per year.  Students may apply for financial aid by requesting a financial aid application from the Academy Office.  For first consideration, financial aid applications should be turned in with registration forms.

What expenses should I budget for?
Some of the most common items that our students spend money on include:
-Housing
-Food
-Tuition
-Transportation
-Dancewear
-Incidents and/or medical supplies

What does Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy do about education?
All students are required to earn a high school diploma.  Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy has an Education Coordinator on staff to assist students with a student's completion of high school through the many online and correspondence programs available.

Foreign students may take English as a second language class online or by correspondence, or at colleges in the area.  Houston Community College www.hccs.edu, Rice University www.esl.rice.edu, and Bilingual Education Institute www.aetas.com, are schools offering classes.

Will I have the opportunity to perform?
Students in levels 1 through HBII will participate in a Spring Concert each year.  In addition, levels 8 and HBII have several performance opportunities throughout the year, including Houston Ballet's Nutcracker, community outreach performances, an annual performance at the Jewish Community Center's annual dance month, University of Houston's Moore's School of Music, and Miller Outdoor Theater.  Upper level students are also given various opportunities to understudy members of the company in Houston Ballet productions.  Please refer to the Houston Ballet's season schedule for a more detailed performance schedule.

Does Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy offer Career Planning?
Houston Ballet offers career planning assistance to HBII and level 8 students.  Dancers are provided with up-to-date information on company hires, assistance in making audition appointments, help with resumes/vitae preparation, and professional head and body photo guidance.  Workshops are held yearly for those needing assistance.  Advice and guidance on alternative dance career planning and college programs is available as needed.

If I have any other questions about the 2009 Summer Intensive or the year-round program, who should I contact?
Please send your questions to the Academy at hbacademy@houstonballet.org or call at 713-535-3210.