Summer Intensive Program

This program is for Intermediate and Advanced levels. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM with rehearsals until 6:30 PM. Classes are offered in classical ballet technique and pointe with additional classes in theatre jazz, modern, hula, dance conditioning, and more. The final week of the program includes technical and dress rehearsals in the theater for the culminating summer intensive performance. Students experience what it is like to perform alongside professional dancers from internationally renowned dance companies in a professional-quality production. Placement in the Intermediate and Advanced levels is by audition only.

Young Dancers Summer Program

This program is designed for students ages 7-10 years who are at the pre-pointe level and have been consistently training in ballet technique classes for a minimum of 2+ times per week. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM with rehearsals until 6:30 PM most evenings. Classes are offered in ballet technique with additional classes in theatre jazz, hula, modern, dance conditioning, and more. The final week of the program includes technical and dress rehearsals in the theater for the culminating summer intensive performance. Students experience what it is like to perform alongside professional dancers from internationally renowned dance companies in a professional-quality production.

Performance Opportunity

All levels may have the opportunity to participate in a performance at the completion of summer training (venue to be announced). Ballet Hawaii’s Summer Intensive draws students from throughout the state, across the mainland, and internationally. The Ballet Hawaii studios are located at 735 Iwilei Road on the 2nd floor in the former Pomaika’i Ballrooms.

• Orientation for the Summer Intensive will be held the Sunday prior to the start of the intensive. A basic schedule for the first two weeks will be given on this day.
• Rehearsal schedules will be given after the first day of classes.
• If you are traveling, please schedule your departure AFTER August 1st if you wish to participate in the culminating performance.

Housing

• Student housing arrangements are the responsibility of the student and their parents/guardians.

APPLICATIONS

• All students must complete our online application form and submit a non-refundable application fee of $50.
• Application and required attachments (headshot, photo, and videos) are due by February 1, 2026 to avoid incurring additional tuition fees.

AUDITIONS

• For those who are not currently Ballet Hawaii students, please submit a headshot and a photo in 1st arabesque, along with a link to a video audition with your application. The video should be no longer than 10 minutes of basic barre and center work. Please include:

• • Barre (side view, one side of each exercise):
    • Plies in 5th position only
    • Tendus in all directions from 5th
    • Adagio
    • Grande battements

• • Center:
    • Adagio
    • Pirouettes en dedans and en dehors
    • Petite allegro
    • Grand allegro

• Female dancers who are already training en pointe should wear pointe shoes for the center combinations. Students may include a variation if applicable. (Current Ballet Hawaii students do not need to audition. No video is necessary)
• Visiting dancers who wish to audition for Summer Intensive may arrange an audition time with our Artistic Director, Pamela Taylor Tongg, during any week of the current session. All live auditions must be completed by February 1, 2026.

Tuition (4-week program)

2026 Summer Intensive Tuition

• Current Ballet Hawaii students must be enrolled and attending classes during the Summer Session to qualify for Summer
  Intensive.
• Visiting students must be actively dancing to qualify for Summer Intensive. A letter of confirmation is needed from their current ballet teacher.
• Upon acceptance, a non-refundable deposit of $500.00 is required to hold your place ($300 for the half-day Young Dancers program).
• The final non-refundable tuition payment is due on May 1, 2026.
• Deposit and tuition may be paid online once you have been accepted through our secure system.
• An additional Production Fee will be charged according to your role if cast in the Summer Intensive production.

2025 Performance – Reflections in Motion

2024 Performance – Balanchine To Broadway

2023 Performance – Urashima Taro & By George

2022 Performance – Dancing Among the Stars

• Ballet Hawaii’s Summer Intensive program offers students a pre-professional experience with outstanding faculty. Students have the opportunity to work with exceptional guest artists who come to participate as teachers and performers in Ballet Hawaii’s summer production. Auditions for the performances are held during the first week of the Summer Intensive.

• Very few summer intensive programs provide students the opportunity to perform on stage with professional dancers. Ballet Hawaii’s Summer Intensive program draws dancers from around the state, the mainland, and other countries.  The summer production is a chance for students to showcase their hard work. In Summer 2018, Ballet Hawaii presented Kansas City Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty with choreography by Artistic Director, Devon Carney.  Dancers from Kansas City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Eugene Ballet shared the stage with students of the Summer Intensive program.

• In 2015 and 2012, Ballet Hawaii presented Alice (in Wonderland), which showcased innovative choreography by Septime Webre, Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet, with music by Matthew Pierce.  Design included spectacular costumes by Liz Vandal, amazing sets by James Kronzer, and puppet work by Eric Van Wyk and Flying by Foy.

• In August 2014, Ballet Hawaii was delighted to share Septime Webre’s Peter Pan with a musical score by Carmen DeLeone and guest artists from Washington Ballet, Carolina Ballet, and Eugene Ballet

• In August 2013, Ballet Hawaii concluded the Summer Intensive program with Cinderella, choreographed by Septime Webre. Guest artists from Washington Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Eugene Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre graced the stage in principal roles alongside students of Ballet Hawaii’s Summer Intensive.

• Past productions have also included Cinderella with Cincinnati Ballet staged by Victoria Morgan, Romeo and Juliet with Carolina Ballet, Giselle with New York City Ballet, and Serenade staged by Robert Barnett, Artistic Director emeritus of Atlanta Ballet.