Photo: Erin Baiano

Photo: Erin Baiano

Photo: Erin Baiano

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
at American Ballet Theatre

Pre-Professional Division

 
“American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School strives to produce superb dancers who have no technical limitations and are sensitive to different qualities of movement necessary to correctly execute the classical, neoclassical and contemporary vocabularies of dance; dancers who are strong, supple and dance without affectation.”
-Franco De Vita, Principal

American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School is a pre-professional ballet training program for students, ages 9-18. Under the direction of Franco De Vita, Principal, students thrive in an elite atmosphere dedicated to the success of each student. Admission is by audition only.

Curriculum:
The curriculum of ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (JKO) School is the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum, which combines scientific principles with elements from the classic French, Italian, and Russian schools of training. Consistent with the stylistic requirements of ABT, the JKO School aims to provide dancers with a rich knowledge of classical technique and the ability to adapt to all styles and techniques of dance.

Classes include classical ballet technique, pointe, partnering, men’s class, character, modern technique, variations and Pilates. In addition, students participate in the JKO Wellness Lecture Series, designed to educate the JKO students on subjects facing aspiring professional dancers. Lecture topics include Nutrition, Women’s Health, Stress Management, Strength Training, and Resume Writing/ Career Preparation.

Faculty:
Led by Franco De Vita, Principal, the faculty of ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School includes members of ABT’s Artistic Staff, ABT alumni and other prominent teachers. Learn more about our faculty by clicking on the links below.

Accompanists:
Each class at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School is accompanied by one of our accomplished pianists:

Levels and Schedules:
The school follows a specific graded curriculum, divided by age, which is outlined in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum. Each level is designed to be sensitive to the developmental needs of the age group. Class size is very limited. The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School schedule is intended to accommodate the academic schedules of our students. The class schedules and levels are as follows:

Tuition and Scholarships:
Tuition for the 2009-2010 academic year is as follows: $3,000 for students in the Junior Associate Level and Level 5; $5,500 for students in Levels 6 and 7. Scholarships are awarded based on merit and need. There is an application process (including family financial information to determine eligibility) for those dancers who are accepted to the program.

Alumni:
Graduates of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre have gone on to dance with the following companies:

2008-2009 Alumni
Kathryn Boren – ABT II
Skylar Paley Brandt – ABT II
Brittany DeGrofft – ABT II
Austin Finley – BalletMet Columbus
Jennifer Florquin - Leipzig Ballet, Germany
Melisa Garat – Orlando Ballet II
Colby Parsons – ABT II
Alberto Rodriguez Velasquez – ABT II
Miki Wakuta – BalletMet Columbus
Michal Wozniak - Arizona Ballet

2007-2008 Alumni
April Giangeruso – ABT II
Jaime Hickey – Joffrey Ballet
Meaghan Hinkis – ABT II
Angela Kenny – Texas Ballet Theater
Jonnathan Ramirez – Houston Ballet
Calvin Royal III – ABT II

2006-2007 Alumni
Tom Bieszka – Ballet du Capitole de Toulouse, France
Dusty Button – Birmingham Royal Ballet, UK
Andrew Daly– Pennsylvania Ballet
Tyler Galster – Pennsylvania Ballet
Ty Gurfein – Morphoses/ The Wheeldon Company
Caitlin Kirschenbaum – Indiana University
Saige Miller – Sarasota Ballet
Mara Thompson de la Rosa – ABT II
Demian Vargas – Houston Ballet
Katherine Williams – American Ballet Theatre

2005-2006 Alumni
Alexandra Basmagy – Ballet de Espana
Kara Brosky – Richmond Ballet
Lara Clemens – LA Ballet
Sarah Hay – Pennsylvania Ballet
Davidson Jacanello – Alberta Ballet
Edward Persondek – Sarasota Ballet
Anthony Pina – Alberta Ballet
Devon Teuscher – American Ballet Theatre
Elizabeth Walker – LA Ballet
Faye Hideko Warren – ABT II

2004-2005 Alumni
Elizabeth Aymong – Alabama Ballet
Andrew Brader – LA Ballet
Katrina Dalton – BalletMet Columbus
Alexander Dutko – Miami City Ballet
Corey Landolt – Washington Ballet II
Adam Rogers – Kansas City Ballet
Michaeljon Slinger – The Juilliard School
Evan Teitelbaum – The Juilliard School

2004 Alumni
Nicole Graniero – American Ballet Theatre
Steven Melendez – Venumine Theater, Estonia
Eric Tamm – American Ballet Theatre

Ballet Studies
Choreography by Raymond Lukens
Performed by the Level 7 Class at the JKO School
Filmed and Edited by Eric Wolfram

Please double click above to watch the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
at American Ballet Theatre.
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The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre