2008 Summer Intensive Program
June 16 - July 25, 2008

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Audition process

What should I bring to the audition?
We ask that you bring two photos: 1.) a headshot and 2.) a full body photograph of you in leotard and tights in arabesque (any photo size).  There is also a $25 audition fee, cash only.

When will I receive the results of my audition?
Audition results will be emailed out no later than two weeks after each audition.  Please do not call Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy as results will be conveyed by email only.

What if I am an international student unable to attend a scheduled audition?
Foreign students and U.S. students granted special permission by the Academy Office are welcome to submit a DVD/Video audition.  Please download a DVD/Video audition form and submit it with your audition materials.  The deadline for all DVD/Video auditions is February 1, 2008. 

*Disclaimer: Although we welcome early video entries, they will not be reviewed until after the deadline on February 1, 2008.

about the summer program

What makes Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy's Summer Intensive Program different from other summer programs?
Our summer program offers six full weeks of intensive classes, whereas some programs offer only two or three week sessions.  Our extensive program offers dancers the opportunity to make advances in technique.  Our dancers see a difference in their body and in the way they dance.  Also, while some programs only offer enough time to gain a small idea of what their year-round program is like, our summer intensive gives students a real feel for Houston living and what life is like with the Houston Ballet family.

What type of curriculum does Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy offer?
Students will have classes 6 days a week 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.  Houston Ballet also has a pilates program, which offeres both private and group pilates sessions.

What are the costs and payment details for the program?
Tuition for the 2008 Summer Intensive Program is $1,750 for students in Levels 5-8.  Tuition for Levels 5-8 include a ticket to Houston Ballet's performance of La Sylphide/ A Doll's House on Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 2:00pm.

Pre-paid lunches from a local deli are available to all students and are delivered to the Academy Monday-Friday for an additional cost.  Students may also purchase lunches on their own from one of the many grocery stores or restaurants located within walking distance from the Academy.  Other weekend activities are available at an additional cost.

Please note that all tuition and housing fees must be paid prior to June 1, 2008.

Payment Plan:
(includes both Tuition and St. Thomas Dorm Fees)

Payment #1: $1,100
Due upon Registration

Payment #2: $1,050
Due April 1, 2008

Payment #3: $1,050
Due May 1, 2008

Payment #4: $1,050
Due June 1, 2008

The artistic staff of Houston Ballet awards a limited number of scholarships for the summer program.  Financial aid is available for students in need.  Students may apply for aid by requesting a financial aid application from the Academy Office by March 3, 2008.

Where will I live?
Students attending our program have several housing options.

St. Thomas Chaperoned Domitory
Out of town students ages 12-18 have the option of residing in a chaperoned dormitory at the University of St. Thomas, Guinan Hall.  With high-tech security, courtyards, high-speed internet access, cable television in each room, and a cafeteria, the University of St. Thomas is an ideal dormitory for Houston Ballet's summer students.  There is a team of well-trained chaperones to provide 24-hour supervision and transportation to and from the Academy.
The housing fee is $2,500 and includes two meals (breakfast and dinner) daily in the St. Thomas cafeteria, and swimming pool privileges.  Housing fess must be paid in full prior to move-in date.

For an additional fee, we can provide transporatation to and from the airport during check-in and check-out dates ($30 round trip, $20 one-way; price includes a t-shirt delivered prior to arrival in order to identify the student in the airport).

For more information on the campus and its resources, please visit www.stthom.edu

Non-chaperoned Living
There are many apartments within walking distance to Houston Ballet.  The Academy provides assistance to students looking for an apartment and/or roommate(s).  Houston Ballet is centrally located.  A grocery store, pharmacies, banks, delis, banks, shopping, etc. are all within a five minute walking distance.  Many students use bicycles for transportation.  The Wortham Theater, Houston Ballet's performance house, is a ten minute car ride to the downtown area from most apartment locations.  Average rent ranges from US $600.00 a month for shared living to US $800.00 single living.

Home Stay
Students have the option of living with a home-stay family.  Meals and transportation to the ballet are provided by the home-stay family.  Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy can assist students with inquiries.  Home Stay costs approximately $800 per month.  Please visit www.homestayhouston.com for more information.

Who will be teaching my classes?
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
Dawn Scannell, Ballet Mistress
Priscilla Nathan-Murphy, Lower School Principal
Cheryne Busch, Principal Instructor
Barbara Bears, Principal Dancer
Phillip Broomhead, Instructor
Sabrina Lenzi, Instructor
Sally Rojas-Herrera, Instructor
Jim Payne, Instructor
Bridget Payne, Instructor

For full bios on these and other Houston Ballet staff, please visit Inside Houston Ballet.

What if I am accepted and I am a "split level"?
Split level simply means the instructors have not made a final decision as to which level you are assigned.  The first level listed is your dominant level.  This means you should plan your uniform and schedule around your dominant level unless the instructors notify you otherwise at the end of the first week.

Do we get a chance to perform?
At the conclusion of the program all students in levels 5-8 participate in two public performances.  Students in Levels 5-6 will have the opportunity to perform for the public in Studio A at Houston Ballet on Thursday, July 24 and/or Friday, July 25, 2008 at 1:00pm.  The performance is free to the public.

Students in levels 7-8 will be performing at the Proscenium Theatre at San Jacinto Community College-South on Thursday, July 24 and/or Friday, July 25, 2008 at 8:00pm.  Parents are invited to attend all performances.  Tickets are purchased at the door.

about the year-round program

What if I am interested in Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy's year-round program?
The summer program is an excellent opportunity to sample what it is like to live in Houston and attend classes at Houston Ballet all year long.  Students will live in Houston for six full weeks and attend field trips to see Houston beyond the ballet.  They are also given the chance to become acclimated to our buliding, staff, and our close working relationship with Houston Ballet Company.  Should a student decide to audition for the year-round program, they will be given an audition in July.  Students should begin to consider whether or not they plan to audition now, prior to the summer, and consider housing, education, and transportation costs.

Where will I live during the year-round program?
Housing options for the year-round program are the same as the summer program housing options, except the University of St. Thomas dorms are not available.  A limited number of spaces are available upon invitation at our local Dunlavy Dorms.

How much will my tuition cost?
Level 8 tuition is $3,244.  HBII scholarships are awarded on merit.

Is financial aid available?
Artistic staff of Houston Ballet award a limited number of merit-based scholarships per year.  Students may apply for financial aid by requesting a financial aid application from the Academy Office.  For first consideration, financial aid applications should be turned in before March 3, 2008.

What expenses should I budget for?
Some of the most common items that our students spend money on include:
-Housing
-Food
-Tuition
-Transportation
-Dancewear
-Incidents and/or medical supplies

What does Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy do about education?
All students are required to earn a high school diploma.  Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy has an Education Coordinator on staff to assist students with a student's completion of high school through the many online and correspondence programs available.

Foreign students may take English as a second language class online or by correspondence, or at colleges in the area.  Houston Community College www.hccs.edu, Rice University www.esl.rice.edu, and Bilingual Education Institute www.aetas.com, are schools offering classes.

Will I have the opportunity to perform?
Students in levels 1 through HBII will participate in a Spring Concert each year.  In addition, levels 8 and HBII have several performance opportunities throughout the year, including Houston Ballet's Nutcracker, community outreach performances, an annual performance at the Jewish Community Center's annual dance month, University of Houston's Moore's School of Music, and Miller Outdoor Theater.  Upper level students are also given various opportunities to understudy members of the company in Houston Ballet productions.  Please refer to the Houston Ballet's season schedule for a more detailed performance schedule.

Does Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy offer Career Planning?
Houston Ballet offers career planning assistance to HBII and level 8 students.  Dancers are provided with up-to-date information on company hires, assistance in making audition appointments, help with resumes/vitae preparation, and professional head and body photo guidance.  Workshops are held yearly for those needing assistance.  Advice and guidance on alternative dance career planning and college programs is available as needed.

If I have any other questions about the 2008 Summer Intensive or the year-round program, who should I contact?
Due to the volume of calls received in regards to the summer and year-round programs, please send your questions via e-mail to the Academy at hbacademy@houstonballet.org.