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BRIDGING THE GAP
from student to professional

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SLB invites students to audition for the Professional Training Program.  This is the top tier training offered by the SLB School and it is intended to help students transition from student to professional dancer. The Professional Training Program is a program for ages 18-22 that concentrates on strengthening technique and developing artistry through a full-day, 35-week, comprehensive program. The Professional Training Program includes technique, pointe, variations, adagio, contemporary, and seminars on such topics as nutrition, personal safety, and life skills.

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Performing Experience

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  • Company Rehearsals: Professional Training Program students may be called to SLB Company rehearsals. If called, students are expected to attend all scheduled rehearsals, whether or not they are cast to perform. The School office must be notified if rehearsals conflict with School classes. Professional Training Program dress code is required in rehearsals.\\

  • Company Performances: Professional Training Program students perform in “The Nutcracker”. Additional opportunities may include other SLB productions and a PTP Workshop performance


Tuition for Professional Division 23-24:

  • $350/month (9 months of the year)
    Tuition rates subject to change pending submission year

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Age Requirements: 18–22


Scholarships & Financial Aid

A limited number of partial scholarships are available and are awarded on the basis of financial need, class performance and potential for a professional career. Scholarships are granted for no longer than one academic year.
To apply click here.

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Professional Training Division Instructors
Instructors change daily/weekly; guest instructors also teach when made available.
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  • Mark David Bloodgood (ballet, pas de deux, pilates)

    • Current company dancer with Saint Louis Ballet ​

  • Michael Burke (ballet, pas de deux, contemporary)

    • Current company dancer with Saint Louis Ballet

  • Ellen Costanza (ballet, pointe)

    • Formerly trained at American Ballet Theater, former principal dancer with Cleveland San Jose Ballet, former rehearsal director of Saint Louis Ballet

  • CiCi Houston (ballet, pointe)

    • Serves as Saint Louis Ballet Rehearsal Director 

  • Donna Patzius (ballet, pointe)

    • Serves as SLB company class instructor and former principal dancer with Ballet Met​

  • Christine Settembrino (ballet, pointe, contemporary)

    • ​Serves as current Assistant Rehearsal Director of SLB

  • Lori Wilson (ballet, pointe)

    • Current company dancer with Saint Louis Ballet

  • Lisa Wolfsberger (ballet, pointe)

    • Founding SLB principal company member, company class instructor 

       

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Program Sample Schedule and Dates 2022-2023:

September 6, 2022 through May 26, 2023

 

Sample Class Schedule

  • Mondays: 12:30-2:00 Class; 2:15-3:00 Pas de Deux

  • Tuesdays: 12:30-2:00 Class; 2:15-3:00 Pointe / Men’s Technique

  • Wednesdays: 12:30-2:00 Class; 2:15-3:00 Contemporary or Pilatets or rehearsals with company

  • Thursdays: 12:30-2:00 Class; 2:15-3:00 Pointe / Men’s Technique or rehearsals with company

  • Fridays: 12:30-2:00 Class; 2:15-3:00 Variation or rehearsals with company

  • Saturdays: **12:45-2:15 TEMPORARILY DUE TO STUDIO CONSTRUCTION; After construction completed class will be 11:00-12:30 Class; Plus Rehearsals with company when applicable Saturday

 

CALENDAR OF DATES:

2022

  • Aug 15th–Company begins

  • Aug 18th–School classes begins

  • Sept 5th–Labor Day, no classes on Monday only

  • Sept 6th– Professional Training Program classes begin

  • *Oct 1st-2nd– “Of Note” performances at the Touhill

  • Oct 22nd–SLB tours to Rolla (no PT’s on this tour)

  • Oct 25th-31st–Fall Break, No Classes *** Newly Added****

  • Nov 23rd-27th–Thanksgiving weekend

    • School closed 23rd-27th

    • Nutcracker rehearsals at the Touhill through the 23rd

    • Nutcracker Opening weekend performances 26th-27th

  • December–Nutcracker resumes at the Touhill, performances 16th- 23rd.

  • Dec 22nd–Winter Break begins: No Classes
     

2023

  • Jan 5th–Classes resume

  • Jan16th–Martin Luther King Jr. Day – no SLBS classes

  • *Feb 10th-12th–“Do It For Love” at Kirkwood Performing Arts Center

  • Mar 19th- 25th–Spring Break, No Classes

  • April 9th–Easter Sunday, no classes

  • April 22nd–Possible weekend tour to perform in Springfield, MO

  • April 28-30th– Swan Lake at the Touhill

  • Spring, TBA–SLB Gala

  • May 20th– SLB performs new works at the Grandel, featuring PT’s

  • May 26th–Last day of PD classes

  • May 27-29th– Memorial Day weekend, no school classes

  • June 8th-10th–SLBS Recital weekend

  • June 13th– Last day of SLBS classes

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More than just classes and performances


Student Conferences

Conferences with Artistic Director and Rehearsal Directors are held in the winter to discuss student progress, options for summer programs, the following school year, and audition tour plans.

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Pilates & Strength Training

SLB senior company members offer the Pilates method to develop core strength and stability, promote long, lean muscles, and increase flexibility.

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Career Planning

SLB is committed to providing as many career planning resources and job placement opportunities as possible to Professional Division students. A resume workshop/audition seminar is held in early December to help students begin the process of writing a resume and searching for a job in the dance field. Photographer contacts for audition portfolios are available to students, as well as an annual directory which provides extensive information on approximately 40 ballet companies in the United States, a useful resource in planning auditions. Individual counseling and advice on careers in dance and/or college dance programs are also provided.

(Offsite company auditions: Absences for company auditions outside of SLB must receive prior approval from the Artistic office before any travel arrangements are made.)

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2022-2023 Professional Training Program

Recent alumni from the Professional Training Program and SLB School have gone on to the following companies and colleges:

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Kansas City Ballet Trainee, Saint Louis Ballet, Charlotte Ballet 2, Milwaukee Ballet Trainee, Minnesota Ballet Apprenticeship, Montgomery Ballet, Ballet Frontier, UMKC, Webster University, Ballet Met 2, Indiana University, Oklahoma University, University of Utah, Texas Christian University

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Housing

Professional Training Program students are responsible for making their own housing arrangements during the school year, as SLB School does not have year-round housing available. Students often choose to live with a roommate; most roommate situations are established before the end of the summer. Many students have recommended searching online at Zillow.com to find prospective apartments in the vicinity of Saint Louis Ballet School.

Interested but unable to take Professional Training Program Classes Daily?

 

Approved students aged 16–22, Saint Louis Ballet School Level 8 students, and approved SLBS Level 7 students, have an option to register part-time for the daytime classes offered by the Professional Training Program.  Students participating in this way would not be considered a student of the Professional Training Program, but would have the option to supplement their regular dance schedule and education.

 

Students participating in this way would pay the following tuition rates monthly:

 

Non SLBS Student Rate for Daytime Classes:

1 day of attendance per week = $92 per month

2 days of attendance per week = $170.20 per month

3 days of attendance per week = $239.20 per month

 

SLBS Student Rate: SLBS students registered already into the evening program would receive a discount of 50% off these PD daytime daily rates.

For Students ACCEPTED into the Professional Training Division program for Fall 2023-2024:

Click "Register" below to complete your official registration into the program

All registrations will be reviewed before deposits are charged.
If you have not received an acceptance from SLB into the Professional Training Program, please do not use this registration.

 

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Professional Training Student Resources:

Download the below PDF which includes dress code information, program calendar, local neighborhood information, local college and university information, and local health care facilities. All very helpful information especially to those relocating to St. Louis for this program.

Questions?

If you have further questions please contact CiCi Houston at cicihouston@stlouisballet.org

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