TRAIN WITH THE BEST THIS SUMMER!
Program Overview
Endowed in part by Sarah and Ernest Butler through the Ballet Austin Foundation
Under the personal instruction of Artistic Director Stephen Mills, Associate Artistic Director Michelle Martin and an outstanding faculty, you will learn what it takes to excel in your career through this classical yet innovative program.
Ballet Austin’s Senior Summer Intensive program offers two, three-week sessions or one, six-week session of study for serious students ages 11–22. Members of Ballet Austin II, Ballet Austin’s apprentice program, and second company, as well as Ballet Austin’s Butler Fellowship Program, are selected from the Senior Summer Intensive. Ballet Austin’s Junior Summer Intensive program offers one, two-week session of study for serious students ages 9–13.
Auditions –
Auditions for Summer Intensive 2022 are now closed. Look for Summer Intensive 2023 audition information in November.
In-Person Auditions / Ages 11-18
Requirements for in-person auditions:
Pre-registration –
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Pre-registration is required.
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Pre-registration will close on the Thursday prior to the in-person audition.
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If you would like to attend an audition after pre-registration has closed, please contact the Academy office at 512.501.8703 to see if walk-in auditions are available at the desired audition site.
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COVID-19 Protocols –
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COVID-19 protocols are determined by each audition site, following the restrictions in place for that community. Please follow the protocols listed below for your audition site of choice.
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COVID-19 protocols are subject to change.
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Sunday, January 2nd, 2022.
- Indianapolis, IN. Audition held at Ballet Theatre of Carmel Academy Studios from 2:00-4:00pm.
- Philadelphia, PA. ** Audition held at Philadelphia Ballet from 12:30-2:30pm.
- Denver, CO. ** Audition held at Colorado Ballet from 12:00-2:00pm.
Saturday, January 8th, 2022.
- Houston, TX. Audition held at Vitacca School for Dance, Houston from 1:00-3:00pm.
- Orlando, FL. Audition held at Orlando Ballet School from 3:00-5:00pm.
Sunday, January 9th, 2022.
- Atlanta, GA. Audition held at Atlanta Ballet from 5:30-7:30pm.
- Natick, MA. ** Audition held at Walnut Hill School for the Arts from 2:00-4:00pm.
Saturday, January 15th, 2022
- Coppell, TX. Audition held at Ballet Academy of Texas from 4:00-6:00pm.
- Phoenix, AZ. Audition held at Ballet Arizona from 2:00-4:00pm.
Sunday, January 16th, 2022
- Los Angeles, CA. *** Audition held at Grand Rehearsal Hall at The Colburn School from 2:30-4:30pm.
Monday, January 17th, 2022.
- Austin, TX. Audition held at Ballet Austin from 10:00-11:30am for ages 9-12, 11:30am-1:15pm for ages 13-14 and 1:15-3:00pm for ages 15-18.
- Seattle, WA. ** Audition held at Pacific Northwest Ballet 4:00-5:45pm for ages 11-14 and 5:45-7:30pm for ages 15-18.
Saturday, January 22nd, 2022
- Salt Lake City, UT. Audition held at Ballet West from 4:30-6:30pm.
Sunday, January 23rd, 2022.
- Charlotte, NC. Audition held at Charlotte Ballet from 4:00-6:00pm.
- Nashville, TN. Audition held at Nashville Ballet from 12:00-2:00pm.
- San Francisco, CA.*** Audition held at San Francisco Ballet from 3:00-5:00pm.
Saturday, January 29th, 2022.
- Cincinnati, OH. Audition held at Cincinnati Ballet from 2:00-4:00pm.
- Washington, DC. Audition held at The Washington Ballet at the Cathedral Commons location from 5:30-7:30pm.
Sunday, January 30th, 2022.
- Minneapolis, MN. Audition held at Minnesota Dance Theatre from 5:00-7:00pm.
- New York City, NY. *** Audition has been cancelled due to weather. Please email registrar@balletaustin.org for more information.
Saturday, February 5th, 2022.
- Kansas City, MO. Audition held at Kansas City Ballet from 5:30-7:30pm.
Sunday, February 6th, 2022.
- Pittsburgh, PA.** Audition held at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre from 1:30-3:30pm.
- Chicago, IL.*** Audition held at Joffrey Ballet from 4:00-6:00pm.
- Plano, TX. Audition held at Chamberlain School of Ballet from 2:00-4:00pm.
Saturday, February 12th. 2022.
- San Diego/Poway, CA. Audition held at Lynch Dance Institute from 2:30-4:30pm.
Thursday, February 17th, 2022.
*Due to the winter storm impacting central and southeast Texas, Ballet Austin’s 2022 Summer Intensive audition scheduled for Bayou City Ballet has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 17th, 2022.
- Houston, TX. Audition held at Bayou City Ballet from 7:00-9:00pm.
Sunday, February 20th. 2022.
- Portland, OR. *** Audition held at Oregon Ballet Theatre from 2:00-4:00pm.
** Proof of vaccination or negative PCR test required at this location
*** Proof of vaccination required at this location
Digital (pre-recorded video) Audition Submissions / Ages 9-18
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To audition with a pre-recorded video take the following steps:
- Register for the audition
- Pay the audition fee
- Complete the audition application
- Upload your video and photos
Your 15-minute digital audition should include a sampling of barre work and center practice, including adagio, pirouettes, petit and grand allegro, as well as pointe work, if applicable. Men should include double tour en l’air and tours á la seconde.
- Register for the audition
Summer Intensive Levels

Senior Summer Intensive (AGES 11–22)
Dates: June 20-July 8 / July 11-29 / June 20-July 29
Ballet Austin’s Senior Summer Intensive program offers two 3-week sessions or one 6-week session of study for serious students ages 11–22.
The Summer Intensive program is an experience that will give students a deeper understanding of ballet technique and how to use it more effectively. Our resident faculty, augmented by guest teachers from the ranks of Ballet Austin’s professional company, offers guidance, encouragement, and a relentless attention to detail. In addition to ballet technique, pointe, variations, men’s class and repertoire, students take classes with well established contemporary, modern, jazz, hip hop and theatre dance teachers.
Six weeks: June 20-July 29, 2022.
Session 1: June 20-July 8, 2022.
Session 2: July 11-July 29, 2022.
Required classes for all levels of the Senior Intensive meet Monday through Friday. Students receive about 5 hours of instruction each day. All students receive daily Ballet Technique classes. The daily schedule is posted after level placement is determined. Schedules are posted weekly during the Intensive.
Level Placement
Senior Intensive students will attend a placement class. Each student is evaluated and placed into one of six levels of study within the Senior Intensive. Student assessment continues for the first few days of each session. Level assignment is at the sole discretion of the directors and will be final.
Possible Classes Offered:
- Pointe
- Variations
- Partnering
- Men’s Technique
- Stretch/Conditioning
- Hip-Hop
- Jazz/Theatre Dance
- Contemporary/Modern
- Repertoire
- Seminars
Tuition
$1,825 / three-week session
$3,300 / six-week session
For general program questions, please email registrar@balletaustin.org or call 512.501.8703.
Scholarship & Tuition Assistance
A limited number of scholarships/tuition assistance are granted each year to promising students. After you have auditioned and been accepted, you may email to request a tuition assistance application. Please do not call about tuition assistance. Applications will only be provided through email requests.
Dormitory housing is provided at The Callaway House, 505 W. 22nd St., a private dormitory located adjacent (West Campus) to the University of Texas Campus, about two miles north of the Ballet Austin studios.
$2,280 / three-week session
$4,420 / six-week session
Performances
If health and safety mandates allow, there will be an informal performance highlighting the accomplishments of each level of our Senior Summer Intensive at the end of each 3-week session. The primary focus of our summer program is for students to gain a deeper understanding of classical ballet technique.

Junior Summer Intensive (AGES 9–13)
Dates: August 1-12, 2022
Ballet Austin’s Junior Summer Intensive program offers one 2-week session of study for serious students ages 9–13.
The curriculum of the Junior Intensive is specifically designed with the younger student in mind and is presented in an environment that is positive and nurturing. The Junior Intensive is a rigorous and comprehensive program that provides the young dancer a greater grasp of ballet technique and related dance styles.
Two week session August 1-12, 2022
Ballet Austin’s Junior Summer Intensive program offers one, two-week session of study for serious students ages 9–13. The Junior Intensive meets weekdays (M-F) and is a half-day program.
Level Placement
Students accepted into the Junior Intensive receive their placement levels in their letter of acceptance.
Parent Observation
If health and safety mandates allow, parent watch day is available on the last day of the Jr. Intensive.
Possible Classes Offered:
- Ballet Technique
- Contemporary/Modern
- Hip-Hop
- Stretch/Conditioning
Tuition
$1,130 / two-week session
For general program questions, please email registrar@balletaustin.org or call 512.501.8703.
Scholarship & Tuition Assistance
A limited number of scholarships/tuition assistance are granted each year to promising students. After you have auditioned and been accepted, you may email to request a tuition assistance application. Please do not call about tuition assistance. Applications will only be provided through email requests.
Opportunities

Butler Fellowship Program
Endowed by Sarah and Ernest Butler through the Ballet Austin Foundation
The Butler Fellowship Program serves as Ballet Austin’s trainee program. All Butler Fellowship positions are fully endowed, allowing these 15 outstanding dancers the opportunity to train at Ballet Austin tuition-free. Currently, 30 percent of Ballet Austin’s main company positions are filled with graduates of the Butler Fellowship Program.
The Butler Fellows are selected through a nationwide audition process and make Austin their home to participate in this unique training opportunity. Designed for post-high school dancers, the Butler Fellowship Program features an innovative and personal approach to professional-track training. It is linked directly to the artistic “arc” of Ballet Austin, with all daily technique classes taught by Artistic Director Stephen Mills, Associate Artistic Director Michelle Martin, and Rehearsal Director Christopher Swaim.

Ballet Austin II
Endowed by Sarah and Ernest Butler through the Ballet Austin Foundation
Ballet Austin II, established in 1999, serves as Ballet Austin’s apprentice program and second company. Currently, 80 percent of Ballet Austin’s main company positions are filled with Ballet Austin II graduates.
Ballet Austin II dancers are selected through a nationwide audition process and make Austin their home to participate in this unique training opportunity. They perform with the main company for larger productions and present their own extensive roster of performances in Austin and on tour across the state. To date, 109 graduates of Ballet Austin II and the Butler Fellowship Program have secured contracts with more than 42 companies across the nation, including Ballet Austin, Dayton Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Boston Ballet, Hubbard Street 2, Nevada Ballet Theater, Sacramento Ballet, Ballet Pensacola, Nai-Ni Chen, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Spectrum/Donald Byrd, Wideman/Davis Dance, Alabama Ballet, Thang Dao Dance, Northwest Dance Project, DanceWorks Chicago, and Louisville Ballet.
VIDEO GALLERIES
See the Ballet Austin Advantage
Ballet Austin / Ballet Austin II
From Summer Intensive to Company Dancers
Recruiting for Ballet Austin II
Butler Fellowship Program / Summer Intensive
The Path to a Professional Career
Learn more about the Butler Fellowship Program
Overview of the Summer Intensive Program
Residential Life and the Austin Experience
Hear from our Students
Meet Matthew
Meet Lexi
Meet Max