SLB invites students to audition for the Professional Training Program. The program is intended to help post graduate 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 and conferences on such topics as nutrition, personal safety, and life skills.
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.\\
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Company Performances: Professional Training Program students perform in “The Nutcracker”, additional full-length ballets, and at least one new works program or repertoire program.
Tuition for Professional Division 23-24:
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$350/month (9 months of the year)
Tuition rates subject to change pending submission year
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.
Gen Horiuchi
Executive and Artistic Director
Louise Nadeau
Ballet Instructor
Former Principal of Pacific Northwest Ballet
Ellen Costanza
Ballet Instructor
Former Principal of Cleveland Ballet
CiCi Houston Sudholt
Ballet InstructorRehearsal Director for SLB
Lisa Wolfsberger
Ballet Instructor
A founding Company Member of Saint Louis Ballet
Christine Settembrino
Ballet InstructorAssistant Rehearsal Director for SLB
Christine Knoblauch O'Neal
Ballet Instructor
Former dancer with American Ballet Theater and Dance Professor at Washington Univ.
Michael Burke
Contemporay and Partnering InstructorSLB Company Member
Donna Patzius
Ballet Instructor
Former Principal Member of Ballet Met
Program Sample Schedule and Dates 2023-2024:
September 5, 2023 through May 24, 2024
Class Schedule
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Mon-Fr - 12:00 - 1:30: Ballet, 1:45 - 2:30 or 2:45: Pointe, Variations, Contemporary, Pilates, Partnering, or Rehearsal*
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Saturday: 11:15 - 12:45 - Ballet, 1:00 - 1:45 - Pointe or Variations
*Rehearsal may go later, as designated in PTP Information Package
CALENDAR OF DATES:
2023
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August 14th – School classes begins
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September 4th – Labor Day, no classes
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September TBA – Company begins
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September 5th – Professional Training Program classes begin
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*October 6-8th – "Giselle" performances at the Touhill – *may or may not include PTP's
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Oct 16th -23rd – SLB Fall Break for School and Company
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November – Thanksgiving weekend – School closed Nov 22nd -25th , "Nutcracker" rehearsals at the
Touhill through the 22nd , performances Nov. 25-26th -
*Fall/Winter TBA – Possible tour
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December – "Nutcracke"r resumes at the Touhill, performances 15th -2rd
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December/January - Winter Break: December 24-January 3rd
2024
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January 4th - Classes resume – SLBS classes resumes
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January 8th – Company and PTP Resumes
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January 15th – Martin Luther King Jr. Day – no SLBS classe
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February 16-18th – “LoveX3” at Kirkwood Performing Arts Center
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March 25th -30th - Spring Break
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April 26-28th – "Sleeping Beauty" at the Touhill
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*Spring TBA – SLB Gala. Last year it included PTP volunteers.
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*Spring TBA – Possible tour
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May TBA – SLB performs new works at the Grandel, featuring PTP’s
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May 24th – Last day of PTP classes
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May 25-27th – Memorial Day weekend, no school classes
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June 8th – SLBS recital
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June 13th – Last day of SLBS classes
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.
Pilates & Strength Training
SLB senior company members offer the Pilates method to develop core strength and stability, promote long, lean muscles, and increase flexibility.
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.)
Recent alumni from the Professional Training Program and SLB School have gone on to the following companies and colleges:
Huntsville Ballet, Kansas City Ballet Trainee, Saint Louis Ballet, Ballet Chicago, 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, Avant Chamber Ballet, Lexington Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Graduate Program, Ballet Des Moines
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, approvec Saint Louis Ballet School Level 8 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 = $95 per month
2 days of attendance per week = $176.75
3 days of attendance per week = $248
4 days of attendance per week = $305
5 days of attendance per week = $343
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.
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