About
Colorado Ballet Academy Pre-Professional Division is a daytime training program for career track students ages 14-20. The Academy’s Pre-Professional Division provides the necessary training to transition students from the classroom to professional dancers and is geared toward developing ballet artists ready to take on the challenges of dance in the 21st century.
- Students must either be enrolled in an online academic program or have graduated high school.
- Acceptance into this program is by audition.
Assessment for contracts with the Colorado Ballet
All Pre-Professional Division students are given the opportunity to work with Colorado Ballet’s artistic leaders, and qualified students are given first priority to openings in the Colorado Ballet Studio Company.
Training/Schedule
In a focused setting with an average of 15 dancers per class, students participate in a minimum of 24 hours of specialized classical
ballet training, necessary life skills and vital conditioning classes.
Male and female students train both together and separately depending on the class. Female students train daily in
Technique, Pointe Technique and Variations, Pirouettes, Batterie and Pas de Deux. The Pre-Professional Division Men’s
training includes Men’s Conditioning and Weight Training, Men’s Technique, Men’s variations, Batterie and Pas de Deux.
Additional time is provided for schoolwork. Training hours increase during the second semester in preparation for
the full-length production.
2018-2019 Schedule
Schedule is subject to change due to rehearsals and performances
Monday, Wednesday 9:30-4:30
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30-3:00
Saturday 10:30-1:30 (Second semester production rehearsal)
Performance
The Pre-Professional Division training schedule mimics the professional dance experience as students work with a series of
monthly rotating choreographers. Each series culminates in a Saturday Soirée performance in Colorado Ballet’s Black Box Theater
at the Armstrong Center for Dance.
Students also participate in the classical fall production in Colorado Ballet’s Black Box Theater and an all-Academy
full-length classical production at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House each spring.
Select students are chosen to perform with the Colorado Ballet for The Nutcracker and additional productions during the
Company season (repertory permitting). Students chosen to perform in Company productions will be required to attend Company
rehearsals as specified.
Dress code
Ladies |
|
|---|---|
| Leotard | CBA Eleve Leotard, Black with CBA logo (Monday, Friday) CBA Eleve Leotard, Mauve with CBA logo (Tuesday, Thursday) Student provided colored leotard and short ballet skirt of choice (Wednesday) |
| Skirt | Black Bullet Pointe style or chiffon wrap skirt (may be worn during pointe/variations classes, and rehearsals) |
| Practice Tutu | Conservatory by Primadonna c700 classical tutu in white |
| Tights | Pale pink tights |
| Shoes | Pink canvas ballet slippers, pink pointe shoes, character shoes |
| Hair | Hair should be worn in a professional ballet style away from the face and off the neck for daily classes. |
Gentlemen |
|
|---|---|
| Shirt | CBA Eleve Gabe with sleeve, White with CBA logo (Monday, Friday) CBA Eleve Gabe with sleeve, Slate with CBA logo (Tuesday, Thursday) Student provided colored shirt and solid black, grey or white tights |
| Tights | Gray tights (MStevens milliskin) (Tuesday, Thursday) Black tights, convertible or footed (MStevens milliskin) (Monday, Friday) All tights must be worn with a Tan (or nude) colored dance belt. |
| Socks | White Freed ballet socks |
| Shoes | White canvas pair & black canvas pair - split sole ballet technique shoes with sewn elastics |
| Hair | Hair should be neatly groomed |
Cultural Education
Students are exposed to cultural life in Denver through organized excursions to performances at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, museums, films and attractions unique to Colorado.
Housing
Colorado Ballet Academy is located in the heart of the Santa Fe Arts District near downtown Denver with many housing options, grocery stores and entertainment within walking distance. Students who wish to board have the option of apartment shares or staying with a host family.
Tuition & Program Fees
Tuition
The cost for the Pre-Professional Division is $7,500 for the year. Bi-annual and monthly payment plans are available.
| Production Fee | $150 |
| Activity Fee | $125 |
| Registration Fee | $30 online, $50 in person |
| Payment Plan Fee | $20 bi-annual, $100 monthly |
Audition Tour Information
Pre-Registration Online
Students who pre-register will receive a discounted registration rate of $35. Upon registration you will receive a confirmation email containing a copy of your registration which you will need to bring with you day of audition. Online pre-registration closes at 11:59pm MT on the Wednesday before the audition.
Day-of Registration
Registration fee increases to $40, cash or check only.
Day of audition all students will need to provide the following:
- Signed registration paperwork – please print out the waiver attached to your registration confirmation
- (1) 4”x6” photo in first arabesque (on pointe if applicable)
- (1) 4”x6” portrait – Photos do not need to be professional quality but must clearly portray student.
Audition Dress Code
Women: black leotard, pink tights, pointe shoes
Men: black tights, white t-shirt
All audition fees are non-refundable, regardless of circumstance. Audition results will be communicated within three (3) weeks and will only be sent to main contact email address as provided on registration form. If person auditioning is under the age of 18, email address must be that of a parent or legal guardian. Please ensure all paperwork is legible. Due to the number of auditions, we are unable to provide individual feedback.
If you are auditioning for Pre-Professional Division but also expressed interest in Summer Intensive, we will notify you of acceptance into Summer Intensive at the time we provide your Pre-Professional Division results. Those students who are applying for Pre-Professional Division are highly encouraged to attend Colorado Ballet Academy’s Summer Intensive.
Please select the appropriate registration under the audition dates section in order to pre-register.
Video Audition Information and Registration
Colorado Ballet Academy gives priority to those who audition in person. However, we do accept video auditions if circumstances prevent you from attending a live audition.
Details
- All students will need to complete online registration
- Video registration fee $45, credit card only.
- All audition fees are non-refundable, regardless of circumstances.
- Videos must be recorded and uploaded to a video sharing site such as YouTube.
- Video must be recorded between October 1, 2018 and July 26, 2019.
- All videos must be received by July 26, 2019. Applicants are encouraged to submit early.
- Videos will be reviewed upon receipt and results will be communicated within four (4) weeks. Due to the number of auditions, we are unable to provide individual feedback.
Video Details
The audition videos should be between 15-20 minutes in length and include the following:
Barre (one side only)
Center floor work
- adagio
- pirouette combination
- petit allegro
- grand allegro
Pointe work
- echappe
- releve in arabesque
- pirouettes en pointe
- diagonal turning combination
Gentlemen
- tour en l’aire
- petit allegro with batterie
- men’s grand allegro
- grand pirouettes
*Advanced gentlemen and ladies should include a variation from the classical repertoire
Audition Dress Code
Women: black leotard, pink tights, pointe shoes
Men: black tights, white t-shirt
Steps to submit video audition
1. Complete online registration.
2. Upon completion of registration, submit an email to
preprofessionaldivision@coloradoballet.org with the following:
- A link to audition video
- 4”x6” photo in first arabesque (on pointe if applicable)
- 4”x6” portrait photo – Photos do not need to be professional quality but must clearly portray student.
- Please indicate student name in the subject line of your email
