Conservatory Division

[Schedules]

The Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education Conservatory Program was created with a mission to give young dancers the opportunity to develop in a nurturing atmosphere that will groom them to become professional dancers and to realize their place in the community as artists and mentors. The program represents a new level of commitment for Atlanta Ballet and Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education to work closely together to train young dancers. This first level of the Conservatory Program will not offer academic assistance at this time; however we are in the process of creating this very important component of the program.

The Conservatory dancers are select individuals who are at a crucial point in their development. They are in a vital period of transition, one that involves being ready for a professional experience, but they are not fully matured for various reason both technically and emotionally. This progressive level of training allows a young female or male artist the opportunity to mature before entering the demanding work of a professional company. The dancers for the Conservatory Program will be chosen from our Summer Intermediate, Advanced and Professional Programs and interested international candidates.

Conservatory dancers will be involved in daily, private classes taught be the Artistic staff, Principal Faculty members and Guest Master Teachers. They will have a total of 30 hours of instruction during the week Monday to Saturday. These classes are designed to enhance their level of technique and artistry. The classes will include a daily technique class, Pointe, men's, Variations, Pas de Deux, Modern, Jazz, and Repertoire. The dancers will follow the company's daily schedule from 9:30-6:10 with a common lunch break. This will allow for rehearsal with the company from 3:10-6:10 as needed along with learning their own repertory. This schedule is designed to allow the dancers to work with the professional company and also have outside means of employment.

There will be several opportunities to perform with the Atlanta Ballet Company in many of their larger productions. They will be a large part of our educational commitment to the community with involvement in the outreach activities and the "Get Up and Dance Program" that travels throughout Metro-Atlanta. These young adults are on the verge of becoming professional dancers and this is their first step to realizing Atlanta Ballet's mission and place in the community.

The Conservatory Program will represent Atlanta Ballet's Centre for Dance Education as Honor Company at the South Eastern Regional Ballet Association and with their own works at Spring Concert and performances throughout the year.

The Conservatory Dancers will be considered for a position in The Fellowship Program for the following year. The Fellowship Program dancers are paid a weekly stipend and dance with the company on a daily basis. Since the Fellowship Program began in 1997, 14 fellowship members have advanced to apprentice and company positions with the Atlanta Ballet. Many other fellowship dancers are now in other prestigious dance companies and colleges throughout the United States. It is the Conservatory and Fellowship Programs' vision to send these young artists on to their next step in their artistic endeavors with a sense of community and the importance of becoming mentors to future generations of young artists.