BALLET INSTITUTE
Full-Time Pre-Professional Classical Ballet Training for Ages 12–20
The Ballet Institute is The International City School of Ballet’s selective, full-time year-round pre-professional training program for serious dancers pursuing advanced classical training and professional careers in ballet. Students train Monday through Friday in an individualized environment designed to develop strong classical technique, pointe work, artistry, musicality, repertoire, versatility, and the technical maturity required for trainee, second-company, collegiate, and professional opportunities.
Open to technically ready dancers ages 12–20, this full-time, year-round program is held Monday through Friday with a class ratio of 1:12. Dancers receive approximately 22+ hours per week of training.
In addition to classes, students participate in several opportunities to develop versatility and range, including learning classical and contemporary choreography, masterclasses, and workshops throughout the year. ICSB students have also participated successfully in the world's largest ballet competitions, including the Youth America Grand Prix, World Ballet Competition, ADC-IBC, Prix de Lausanne, and the USA International Ballet Competition.
Age Requirement
Female & male students age 12 to 20
Curriculum
Classical Ballet Technique
Pointe Technique
Classical Variations
Classical Repertoire
Contemporary Training & Repertoire
Pas de Deux / Partnering, as appropriate to level
Strength & Conditioning
Ballet Examinations
Masterclasses & Workshops
Performance Preparation
Audition & Professional Preparation
School Calendar
The Ballet Institute operates on a three-semester basis beginning August and concluding in July:
Semester I: August - December
Semester II: January - April
Semester III*: May - July
*Semester III comprises ICSB’s summer intensive programs, a program requirement for all year-round BI students open to non-ICSB students.
Individualized Training for Professional Development
ICSB’s curriculum is grounded in the traditions and principles of classical ballet while recognizing that effective professional training must respond to the individual dancer. Faculty emphasize placement, alignment, coordination, épaulement, musicality, articulation of the feet, classical line, dynamic use of the upper body, and an understanding of how technique functions rather than relying on correction through imitation alone.
At ICSB, individualized training is not an alternative to rigorous professional preparation. It is the means through which that preparation is delivered. Faculty work closely with each dancer to identify technical weaknesses, refine alignment and coordination, develop classical line and artistry, strengthen pointe work, and build the specific qualities necessary for continued advancement. Rather than moving every dancer through an identical pathway, training decisions are based on the dancer’s technical development, physical needs, artistic strengths, and long-term goals.
The Ballet Institute is designed to prepare dancers for the transition from pre-professional training into trainee programs, second companies, professional companies, conservatories, and collegiate dance programs. Training includes technical refinement, classical repertoire, pointe work, performance preparation, audition coaching, and individualized development required for advancement beyond the student level.
PROFESSIONAL & EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES
ICSB-trained dancers have advanced to professional ballet companies, trainee and second-company programs, leading conservatories, colleges, and universities in the United States and internationally. These outcomes reflect the Ballet Institute’s long-term focus on technical development, artistry, audition preparation, and professional readiness.
PROFESSIONAL DANCE COMPANIES
ICSB-trained dancers have advanced to professional, trainee, and second-company opportunities with organizations including The Royal Ballet (United Kingdom), American Ballet Theatre (United States), New York City Ballet (United States), Dutch National Ballet (Netherlands), Royal Danish Ballet (Denmark), Zurich Ballet (Switzerland), Norwegian National Ballet (Norway), Houston Ballet (United States), Stuttgart Ballet (Germany), Alberta Ballet (Canada), Ballet West (United States), Cincinnati Ballet (United States), Ballet Austin (United States), Sarasota Ballet (United States), Béjart Ballet Lausanne (Switzerland), Richmond Ballet (United States), Milwaukee Ballet (United States), Lexington Ballet (United States), The Georgia Ballet (United States), and Ballet San Antonio (United States).
COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES & CONSERVATORIES
ICSB alumni have continued their education at leading academic and performing arts institutions including Stanford University, Princeton University, Columbia University, New York University, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, UCLA, Barnard College, Georgia Institute of Technology, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, the Ailey/Fordham BFA in Dance, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Fordham University, Butler University, Pace University, Florida State University, University of Georgia, Brandeis University, University of South Carolina, Savannah College of Art and Design, AMDA College of the Performing Arts, and Mercer University School of Medicine.
BALLET EXAMS
The International City School of Ballet prepares Ballet Institute students for annual examinations. Ballet Exams are valuable for serious ballet students because they promote the consistent development of technique, musicality, and quality of movement. During the exams, dancers perform a prepared class demonstrating their knowledge of concepts learned throughout the year. In past years, leaders in ballet education were invited as special guest adjudicators to give invaluable and independent feedback from their perspective of working in the professional world of classical ballet today.
Out-of-State & International Students
The Ballet Institute welcomes applications from serious dancers throughout the United States and internationally. Families considering relocation to the Atlanta area are encouraged to contact ICSB to discuss the admissions process, training schedule, and whether the program is an appropriate fit for the dancer.
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Admission to the Ballet Institute is by audition and based on demonstrated technical readiness for full-time training.
CLASSICAL VARIATIONS & REPERTOIRE
ICSB dancers develop classical variations and repertoire as part of their technical and artistic training. This work emphasizes classical line, musicality, épaulement, coordination, pointe technique, stylistic clarity, and the ability to communicate confidently onstage.
ICSB student Miharu Kikuchi, age 17, performs Aurora’s Act III Variation from The Sleeping Beauty at the 2025 Youth America Grand Prix Semi-Finals in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was awarded the Grand Prix Award in the Senior Division.
Coached by Georné Aucoin and ICSB Faculty.
ICSB Student Julie Ann Joyner, age 16, performs the Grand Pas Classique Variation during the Final Round of the 50th Anniversary Edition of the Prix de Lausanne, where she was awarded the Maurice Béjart Foundation Prize, the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation Best Young Talent Prize, and was named 4th Prizewinner.
Coached by Georné Aucoin and ICSB Faculty.
ICSB Alumna Remie Goins, age 13, performs her variation from Coppélia at the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix NYC Finals, where she was awarded the Bronze Medal in the Junior Division.
Coached by Georné Aucoin and ICSB Faculty.
ICSB Alumna Faith Bloomstran, age 16, performs her variation from Raymonda at the 2019 Youth America Grand Prix Atlanta Semi-Finals, where she was awarded 1st Place in the Senior Classical Division.
Coached by Georné Aucoin and ICSB Faculty.
CONTEMPORARY WORK
ICSB dancers develop contemporary repertoire as part of their technical and artistic training. This work emphasizes musical responsiveness, dynamic range, physical articulation, individuality, versatility, and the ability to communicate with clarity and presence onstage.
ICSB student Scarlett Schultes performs “Steampunk,” an original contemporary work choreographed by Musashi Alvarez, with original music composed by Alvarez, at the 2025 Youth America Grand Prix Atlanta Semi-Finals.
ICSB student Emma Donnenwerth performs “Free Will,” choreographed by Krista King-Doherty and coached by Musashi Alvarez, at the 2025 Youth America Grand Prix Atlanta Semi-Finals.
CORPS DE BALLET & ENSEMBLE WORK
ICSB dancers develop corps de ballet and ensemble repertoire as part of their technical and artistic training. This work emphasizes uniformity of line, musical precision, spatial awareness, synchronization, stylistic consistency, and the ability to move as part of a unified whole while maintaining individual technical clarity and classical quality.
ICSB students perform Kinetic, choreographed by Justin Allen, at the 2020 Youth America Grand Prix Atlanta Semi-Finals, where the work was awarded 1st Place in the Ensemble Category.
Academic Partnership
The International City School of Ballet recognizes that an exceptional academic education is an essential component of every student's long-term success. To support the unique demands of pre-professional ballet training, ICSB is proud to partner with Dwight Global Online School, the #1 Best Private Online High School in America, as ranked by Niche for 2026.
Founded in 1872, Dwight Global Online School is the cloud campus of The Dwight Schools, an internationally recognized network of independent schools. Designed specifically for high-achieving student-athletes and artists, Dwight Global offers a rigorous curriculum—including Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses—through live, teacher-led virtual classes and a flexible academic schedule that complements intensive professional training.
Through ICSB’s official partnership with Dwight Global Online School, eligible ICSB students may receive a 50% scholarship from Dwight Global toward Dwight Global tuition. This scholarship is provided by Dwight Global and is separate from ICSB tuition.
Families interested in combining exceptional academics with pre-professional ballet training are encouraged to contact us to learn more about this opportunity.