Train Boldly. Create Freely. Be Transformed.

Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive 2026 is more than just a training program—it’s a launchpad for bold dancers who are ready to grow artistically, technically, and personally. Located just outside Chicago, our nationally recognized program draws serious ballet students ages 10–22 from across the country for five weeks of immersive training, mentorship, and performance.

Our renowned faculty features current and former dancers from the Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Ballet West, American Ballet Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, New York City Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Houston Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham Company, Ballet 5:8 and more. You’ll receive direct mentorship from artists who’ve danced on the world’s greatest stages—and who are passionate about investing in the next generation.

Located just outside Chicago, Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive is designed for serious ballet students ages 10–22 who want to grow in strength, artistry, and purpose. This is where technical excellence meets bold storytelling, and where dancers are formed—not just trained.

Whether you’re dreaming of a professional career or simply want to push your artistry to the next level, this is where big dreams take root.

Why Audition for Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive?

  • Professional Company Environment
    Train alongside our Ballet 5:8 artists and faculty in a dynamic, detailed, expressive atmosphere that challenges and uplifts.

  • Daily Ballet, Pointe, and Repertoire
    Develop clean, powerful technique with a focus on musicality, strength, and nuance.

  • Innovative Contemporary & Modern Classes
    Expand your movement vocabulary and discover new tools for artistic expression. Rotating styles each week can include modern, jazz, contemporary, african dance, street dance, flamenco, improvisation, acting and musical theatr.

  • Exclusive New Choreography
    Work with guest choreographers and originate roles in brand-new works created just for our intensive students.

  • Performance Opportunities
    Share your growth in studio showcases and fully staged end-of-session performances.

  • Specialty Intesnives: Pas de Deux, Adult Intensive, and Teacher Training
    Deepen your experience with specialized intensives for partnering, passionate adults of all levels, or educators looking to train in the 5:8 Method.

  • Wellness & Community: Learn how to care for your body, mind, and spirit with expert-led seminars in mental health, sports psychology, and nutrition—plus exclusive Q&As with Ballet 5:8 company artists on joy, resilience, and building a sustainable career.

  • June 28th - July 31st
    5-Week Summer Intensive Program
    Two, three or five week session options geared for early career professional and pre-professional dancers ages 11-24. By Audition Only.

    Five Week Program | June 29th - July 31st

    Three Week Program | June 29th - July 17th

    Two Week Program #1 | June 29th - July 10th

    Two Week Program #2 | July 20th - July 31th

  • June 29th - July 10th
    One or two week options geared for young dancers ages 8-12. No audition needed. More Information.

  • July 13th - July 17th
    Choreography Intensive | Highly competitive program for four early career choreographers who create work on the Summer Intensive students. More Information.

  • July 23rd - 26th
    For adults who love to dance and want to hone their craft. Ballet, repertoire, cross training, pas de deux, wellness and community. More Information.

  • July 23rd - 26th
    For teachers who want to take classes and also participate in workshops about best practices in ballet training with Julianna Rubio Slager and guest faculty. Teachers will receive feedback and certification for this course. More information.

  • August 3rd - 7th

    Be a part of a small group of elite dancers looking to hone their pas de deux abilities. Classical and contemporary partnering are explored in this immersive week. More information.

2025 Summer Intensive Guest Faculty - 2026 Coming Soon!

  • A young woman with curly dark hair and a warm smile, wearing a beige spaghetti strap top against a dark background.

    Rachel Hutsell

    New York City Ballet

  • Close-up portrait of a young Asian man with short black hair wearing a white shirt, smiling softly, with a blurred neutral background.

    Kuu Sakuragi

    Soloist with Pacific Northwest Ballet

  • A woman with short blonde hair, blue eyes, wearing a black top, colorful earrings, a delicate necklace, and light makeup, smiling at the camera against a gray background.

    Catherine Batcheller

    San Francisco Ballet, the Stuttgart Ballet and the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Current faculty at Ballet West.

  • A young woman with dark hair styled in a high bun, wearing gold hoop earrings and a white top, smiling softly at the camera.

    Malena Ani

    Pacific Northwest Ballet

  • A young woman with dark hair styled in a side-swept ponytail, brown eyes, and wearing pearl earrings, looking at the camera with a slight smile against a dark background.

    Yinet Fernández

    Dance Theatre of Harlem

  • Professional woman smiling, wearing a black blazer, blue top, and diamond jewelry, with dark background.

    Glorielle Niedfeldt

    Muntu Dance Theatre, Milwaukee Ballet School

  • A professional headshot of a man with short dark hair, wearing a dark blue button-up shirt, standing against a plain gray background.

    Kevin Jenkins

    Award Winning Choreographer and Artistic Director of Ballet Counterpointe

  • A woman with long brown hair, smiling, wearing a light pink jacket and black pants, sitting by a window with white panels.

    Dr. Carrie Skony

    Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician and Dance Medicine Specialist

A ballerina in a white tutu performing a dance pose against a black background.

“Ballet 5:8 provides students with such strong faith-based and classically-based training to sustain young artists and elite athletes physically, mentally, and spiritually. The atmosphere encourages healthy, disciplined dancers and creative humans. I love that lunches are catered providing fresh, balanced meals! The high standard of ballet training along with the attention to individuality is rare. I would recommend this summer program to any student.”

- Sarah Lane, Former Principal with American Ballet Theatre

Program Overview

  • A ballet dancer in a navy leotard performing an arabesque against a split background of teal and brown with the text 'BALLET 5:8 Professional Intensive 2025' at the top.

    Designed to provide individual coaching for early-career dancers. Ballet 5:8's Trainees and Second Company attend this program, and it is where many of our professional dancers began their careers.

    Audition
  • A ballet dancer in a black leotard and white tutu performing a pose on tiptoe against a split pink and blue background with text promoting a summer ballet intensive program.

    Designed for serious dancers who are seeking elite pre-professional training. Beginning this year all students must audition in order to attend the program.

    Audition
  • A male ballet dancer lifts a female ballet dancer in a pose, with the female dancer extending her leg and arm outward. The background features a split design with a tan and pink color scheme. Text on the image advertises a ballet event called 'Pas de Deux Intensive' from July 27th to August 1st, based on Ballet 5:8.

    Exclusive training in Pas de Deux for a hand-selected group of students. Dancers will learn classical and contemporary partnering, and the ratio of women to men is limited to keep the learning atmosphere productive.

    Audition
  • A ballet dancer in a black leotard and ballet shoes performing a jump, with a split background of blue and tan, advertising a ballet choreography intensive from July 6th to July 11th.

    Following a rigorous application process, four emerging choreographers will be selected to be personally mentored by Julianna Rubio Slager and world renowned guest faculty. Apply today! This program fills quickly.

    Apply
  • Flyer for a teacher intensive event held from July 17th to 20th, featuring a photo of young ballet dancers and a teacher assisting one of them, with an emphasis on ballet and dance training.

    NEW! Teachers around the U.S. have asked to be mentored and inspired by the School of Ballet 5:8 syllabus. Receive training in our signature style, based in Vaganova and School of American Ballet techniques.

    Learn More
  • Adult Intensive

    After an incredible inagural year, Ballet 5:8 is expanding it's Adult Ballet Intensive. Suitable for beginning through advanced level adults 18+. Classes in ballet, pointe, pre-pointe, pas de deux, cross training, repertoire and wellness offered. Adult dancers should pursue their passion, and we're here for it!

    Learn More
  • Promotional graphic with a ballet dancer in pointe shoes, against a split teal and pink background, text reading 'BALLET 5:8 Fast Track Intensive 2025'.

    Enroll your young dancer in Ballet 5:8’s Fast Track program! Designed for ages 8-11, this program builds strength, confidence, and artistry with expert-led, age-appropriate training. Perfect for aspiring dancers ready for focused instruction and rapid progress in ballet.

    Learn More

"While in the Summer Intensive program, I felt that I was given so many opportunities to grow as a dancer and in my faith. The space you have created at Ballet 5:8 is truly a uniquely beautiful environment that I felt blessed to be a part of. There have been very few spaces that I have danced in where I didn’t feel that my body was the determinative factor for how I was viewed and treated, but while at Ballet 5:8 I never felt that my size played a role in how I was treated. Overall, it was just such a transformative experience for me in many ways, and I just wanted to express my gratitude for being able to participate in the program."

— Summer Intensive Student, 2023

Summer Intensive FAQ – Ballet 5:8

Where is Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive held?

All classes take place at Ballet 5:8’s studios:
11545 183rd Place, Suite 101
Orland Park, IL 60467
Approximately 35 minutes from downtown Chicago by Metra in the south suburbs.

Is housing available?
Yes. Supervised housing is available for students ages 12+ during all intensive weeks. Housing includes dorm-style accommodations, daily transportation to and from the studio, and a full meal plan. 2025 housing was at Trinity Christian College.

Are meals included?
Yes. Housing students receive three meals per day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals are nutritionally balanced, and dietary restrictions are accommodated when noted in advance.

Is transportation provided?
Yes. Transportation is included for housing students. This includes daily shuttles between the studio and housing, as well as airport pickup and drop-off on designated arrival and departure dates (Midway and O’Hare airports only).

What are the dates and tuition rates?
The following rates reflect Summer 2025 tuition and housing fees. Updated pricing for Summer 2026 will be posted in November 2025.

Program Tuition (2025 rates):

  • Five-Week Program: $2,100

  • Three-Week Program: $1,500

  • Two-Week Program: $1,050

  • Fast Track (1 week): $375

  • Choreography Intensive: $750

  • Pas de Deux Intensive: $750

Housing Package (2025 rates):

  • Five-Week Program: $2,600

  • Three-Week Program: $2,000

  • Two-Week Program: $1,500

  • Choreography or Pas de Deux Intensive: $800

Tuition Deposit: $500 (required at registration)
Housing Deposit: $200 (for housing students only)

All fees are due by March 31. Payment plans are available through our registration portal.

Are there refunds or pro-rated tuition?
Registration fees and deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Tuition is non-refundable except in the case of a documented injury with a doctor’s note, in which case a credit may be issued for the following summer. No pro-rated tuition is available for missed days or partial weeks.

Dress Code

Female Dancer Attire: Solid black leotard, footed tights (in light pink or matching skin tone), high bun, and solid pink or skin-tone ballet shoes for daily technique classes.

Pointe shoes: Bring plenty of pointe shoes (if applicable), toe tape, and any other desired foot care items - dancers are en pointe between 2-6 hours a day depending on level placement.

Additional Attire: Black or white wrap ballet skirt for pointe classes and performances. Colored leotards are allowed on specified days.

Male Dancer Attire: White shirt or leotard, black footed tights, and black ballet shoes for technique classes.

Additional Footwear: Please bring nude, white and black colored flat shoes to wear for showcases and performances.

How are students placed in levels?
All dancers must audition to be admitted to the program except for the Adult Intensive and the Fast Track Intensive. Dancers are placed on the first day of their program based on a placement class. Placement is determined by strength, technique, flexibility, attentiveness and retention—not age or previous level placements.

Will my student perform?
Yes, we believe performing is a huge part of your dance education! Students enrolled in 2-week, 3-week, 5-week, and choreography intensives will perform in a Summer Showcase at the end of their program. There are multiple performances for 5-week students to encourage artistry and performance abilities.

Is Ballet 5:8 a faith-based program?
Yes. Ballet 5:8 is an organization founded on faith-based values. However, all students are welcome and participation in faith-based activities is not required. These activities happen outside of normal intensive hours and are student-led.

What happens if my student is sick or injured?
Mild illness may be handled through observation. Contagious illness including fever etc. requires staying home or in housing under supervision. All injuries must be reported with a Ballet 5:8 Injury Form and require a PT assessment. PT team will determine any necessary class modifications and may recommend additional medical care.

Can parents watch classes or attend performances?
Classroom observation is not offered, but classes will be shown on monitors in the lobby. All performances are open to families, and tickets will be sold online in advance.

Why Spend the Summer at Ballet 5:8?

 

What People Are Saying

“I received good personal attention and corrections from all the teachers and was encouraged by all the faculty. I learned that ballet looks different on everyone and how to find your personal artistry and lines for yourself. I’ve always seen dance as a copy/paste kind of thing and had never considered the fact that I dance slightly differently than the people around me. I think that was my biggest takeaway this summer.”

— Summer Intensive Student, 2023

She stayed for three weeks and hasn’t stopped talking about returning next year for the full five weeks! Now that she has been there, I have no hesitation about sending her for a longer stay. I am completely confident that she will be well cared for, safe, and that she will grow in ways that help her meet her goals for dance.

— Amanda Lewallen, Summer Intensive Parent, 2024

“My daughter has grown exponentially. She is loved, trained and encouraged to be the best she can be, by instructors that truly believe in her and that genuinely “see” her as the dancer she knows herself to be.”

— Summer Intensive Parent, 2022

“It's been an absolute treat, honor, and delight to be here and work with these beautiful humans and dancers…in awe of the work happening here... it's truly beautiful to witness and support!”

— Madison Morris, Nutritionist and Former Houston Ballet Dancer

Looking for a job this summer but also want to keep dancing? Join us as a Resident Assistant!

Applications are rolling based on availability.

If you are 18 years or older you are invited to apply to be a Resident Assistant for Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive housing! Applicants can opt to fully participate in Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive or take a class load that suits their summer goals.

Benefits Include:
Free room and board
100% of tuition covered for Summer Intensive
$350 weekly stipend
Amazing opportunities to mentor the next generation of artists

Gain work experience and leadership skills

Email info@ballet58.org to learn more and apply.