2012 Summer Intensive Program
Levels 5-8
June 18 – July 27, 2012

Frequently Asked Questions

Please download our Brochure here: 2012 Summer Intensive Brochure

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
I am interested in the Houston Ballet Academy’s 2012 Summer Intensive Program.  Can you give me an overview of the program?
Houston Ballet’s summer program offers six full weeks of intensive classes. Students will have classes Monday – Saturday, with Sundays as their off days.  Classes begin each day around 9:00am or 10:00am depending on the student’s level.  The day usually concludes around 5:00pm; however, the schedule varies daily.
Students will have classes in ballet technique, 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.  Pilates sessions are also offered to students for an additional cost.

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
Tina Bohnstedt, Ballet Mistress
Priscilla Nathan-Murphy, Lower School Principal
Cheryne Busch, Principal Instructor
Sabrina Lenzi, Instructor
Sally Rojas-Herrera, Instructor
Frances Perez Ball, Instructor
Andrew Murphy, Instructor
Jim Payne, Instructor
Bridget Payne, Instructor
and Houston Ballet company members.
For full bios on these and other Houston Ballet staff, please visit Inside Houston Ballet.

What are the dates of the program?
Classes for levels 5-8 begin on Monday, June 18, 2012.  The program will conclude on Friday, July 27, 2012.
Students who have been in level 5 have the choice of attending the entire 6 week program or either one of the two 3 week sessions.  The first session will be held from June 18-July 6, 2012.  The second session will be from July 9-July 27, 2012.
 
What are the costs for the program?

 Dorm housing for 6 weeks: $2900, includes 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For more information: http://www.houstonballet.org/Academy/Summer_Intensive_Program/Tuition/

 Are there any other costs or fees aside from tuition and room and board?
There are additional fees associated Sunday activities, pilates sessions, and weekday lunches.  We do not have specific information on the details of these fees at this time.  Participation in the aforementioned is optional.

THE AUDITION PROCESS
What is the process for auditioning for Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy’s 2012 Summer Program?
Admittance into the 2012 Summer Program is by audition only, regardless of age.  Please refer to the Audition Tour Section for dates, times, and locations.

How can I register for the audition?
Registration is on-site at the day of auditions. You can download Audition Registration online. We ask that you please bring the form filled out and bring it with your photos (refer to the following question) to the audition.  There will be two members of Houston Ballet Academy’s artistic staff to take your completed forms. There will also be forms available on-site.

In short, what should I bring to the audition?
1.) Two photos of yourself:  a headshot and a full body photograph of you in a leotard and tights in arabesque (any photo size)

2.) $30 cash only audition fee

3.) Completed Registration Form

4.) Women should bring their pointe shoes

 All of the age groups begin at age 12.  What if I am younger than 12 years old?
Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy cannot be responsible for housing students under 12 years of age at the time of the program.  Students who are 11 at the time of the audition but may be 12 during the summer program may audition with the 12-14 year old age group

What if I am not able to attend any of the auditions listed?
Foreign students and U.S. students granted students not able to attend a scheduled audition are allowed to submit a DVD audition.  Please download a DVD/Video audition form and submit it with your audition materials.  The deadline for all DVD/Video auditions is February 15, 2012.  Please do not submit DVD auditions any earlier than January 1, 2012.

Although we welcome video auditions, we highly encourage students to try to make one of our scheduled auditions if at all possible.

*Please note: We cannot guarantee that DVDs will be reviewed before the deadline on February 15, 2012.

What if my birthday is close to the audition date?  Which age group should I attend?
All students must attend their age group corresponding to their age at the time of the audition- not the age they will be during the time of the summer program. The age limit for our program is 19 years.

What can I expect during the audition?
The audition class will consist of barre, center, pointe for the women, and men’s allegro for the men.

Who will be adjudicating my audition?
Most auditions will have two Houston Ballet Academy artistic staff members adjudicating the audition.  Specifics as to who in particular these two staff members will be cannot be determined at this time.

What should I wear to the audition?
Women should attend class in a solid color leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, and have their pointe shoes readily available.  Men should wear a solid color leotard or t-shirt and black tights, and ballet shoes.

How will I be notified of my audition results?
Audition results will be emailed approximately one week after each audition, but no later than 2 weeks.  Please do not call Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy as results will be conveyed by email only. 

What if I have a pending deadline with another school and I have not received my audition results?
If students have a conflict with a deadline from another school, they should contact the academy at adurate@houstonballet.org and attach a copy of their acceptance letter from the other school that includes the looming deadline.  The Academy staff will do their best to convey the results in a timely manner.

PROGRAM REGISTRATION
I have been accepted into the program.  What should I do now?
If you are accepted into the program, you spot will be guaranteed for exactly two weeks after email notification.  Registration forms and the required payment can be returned by email, mail, or fax.  After two weeks, the space will be no longer guaranteed and registration will be done on a first come, first serve basis after March 1, 2012.  Students and parents should expect communication from the Academy staff to pick up after the audition tour is complete.  Directions as how to proceed will be relayed via email communication with parents and students.