Video by Ezra Hurwitz.
Video by Ezra Hurwitz.
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Dancer Training
ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
Pre-Professional Division
Pre-Professional Division
The American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School is a pre-professional ballet training program for students, ages 12-17. Under the direction of Artistic Director Cynthia Harvey, students thrive in an elite atmosphere dedicated to the success of each student. Admission is by audition only.
The ABT JKO School follows a specific graded curriculum, divided by age, which is outlined in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum. Classes include Classical Ballet Technique, Pointe, Men’s and Women’s Variations, Pas de Deux, Character Dance, Modern, Pilates, Men’s Strength Training, Music and Dance History.
The ABT JKO School is also proud to participate in a full Wellness Program as part of our Healthy Dancer Curriculum. This initiative focuses on addressing both the physical and psychological needs of our ballet students through a series of professionally run workshops. Workshop topics include Nutrition, Women’s Health, Stress Management, Strength Training, and Resume Writing, Audition Preparation.
Video by Ezra Hurwitz.
Curriculum & Tuition
Curriculum:
At the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, our students are trained with ABT’s National Training Curriculum, which combines scientific principles with elements of classical French, Italian, and Russian schools of ballet. The goal of our Curriculum is to train students to use their bodies correctly by educating them on anatomy, kinetics, coordination, and alignment. Artistically, our Curriculum strives to provide for students both a rich knowledge of classical ballet technique and the ability to adapt to all styles of dance.
As each level follows our carefully planned Curriculum throughout the year, students are expected to attend all their assigned classes.
Tuition and Scholarships:
Tuition for the 2017-2018 academic year is $6,500 for students in Upper 1, and $8,000 for students in Upper 2. Scholarships are awarded based exclusively on merit and are extremely competitive. There is no financial aid available.
Levels & Schedules
Each level of the Pre-Professional Division is designed to accommodate both the developmental needs of the age group and the academic schedules of our students. Detailed information for each level is outlined below.
Upper 1
Tuition: $6500
Ages: 12 - 15
Upper 1 coursework will include: Ballet technique (both co-ed and separate men’s/women’s classes), Pointe, Men’s and Women’s Variations, Pas de Deux, Character Dance, Modern, Pilates and Dance History.
2017-2018 Class Schedules
Section 1:
Monday 4:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Tuesday 4:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Thursday 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Friday 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Saturday 11:45 am - 3:45 pm
Uniform
There is a strict dress code for each level of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. The uniform includes leotards from International Dance Supplies.
Uniforms are available for purchase at ABT, and specific uniform information will be provided upon acceptance to the program.
Upper 2
Tuition: $8000
Ages: 15 - 17
Upper 2 coursework will include: Ballet technique (both co-ed and separate men’s/women’s classes), Pointe, Men’s and Women’s Variations, Pas de Deux, Character Dance, Modern, Pilates, Men’s Strength Training, Music and Dance History.
2017-2018 Class Schedules
Section 1:
Monday 2:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Tuesday 2:00 pm - 6:15 pm
Wednesday 2:00 pm - 6:15 pm
Thursday 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Friday 2:00 pm - 6:45 pm
Uniform
There is a strict dress code for each level of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. The uniform includes leotards from International Dance Supplies.
Uniforms are available for purchase at ABT, and specific uniform information will be provided upon acceptance to the program.
Auditions & Admissions
Acceptance to the Pre-Professional Division of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School is by audition only. Prospective students may audition by attending an open audition, submitting a video audition, or by attending an ABT Summer Intensive.
Expand below for more information about the types of auditions.
Audition Methods
Open Audition
Prospective students for the ABT JKO School’s Pre-Professional Division may attend the open audition held in Spring 2018.
When: Saturday, March 17, 2018
| Age Group | Registration | Audition Class |
| Ages 12-14 | 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
| Ages 15-17 | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
Where: ABT Studios at 890 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 (located between 19th and 20th Streets)
Cost: $40.00 USD by cash, credit card, or check payable to American Ballet Theatre
Bring: a photograph in first arabesque and a head shot
Dress Code: Girls must wear black leotards, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, and pointe shoes. Boys must wear white t-shirts or leotards, black tights, and black shoes.
Open Audition RegistrationVideo Audition
Students who are unable to attend the open audition may apply for the ABT JKO School’s Pre-Professional Division by submitting a video application. Please read the instructions below carefully as submissions that do not meet the guidelines will be ineligible for consideration. Your video audition must include the following:
- Completed Video Application. The Video Application lists all required exercises.
- 10 to 15-minute video of class footage. Do not include variation or performance footage.
- One letter of recommendation from a current ballet instructor.
- A photo in first arabesque and a headshot.
- $45.00 USD audition fee by check or money order made payable to American Ballet Theatre, or by credit card via the Credit Card Authorization Form.
Submit your completed video application either by email to jkoschool@abt.org or by mail to:
American Ballet Theatre
Attn: ABT JKO School – Auditions
890 Broadway, 3rd Floor
New York, NY, 10003
Video auditions will be accepted beginning February 15, 2018. The deadline for video auditions is March 15, 2018. Results for video auditions will be emailed in mid-April.
Video Audition Application FormSummer Intensives
Students who attend an ABT Summer Intensive may audition for the Pre-Professional Division during their Summer Intensive. Students will be notified of audition results upon completion of their respective program. This process requires the submission of a parental consent form.
Please note that auditions for the ABT Summer Intensive – on the National Audition Tour or via Video Application – cannot be doubled as an audition for the ABT JKO School.
Learn MoreFaculty & Accompanists
Led by Artistic Director Cynthia Harvey, the faculty of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School includes members of ABT’s Artistic Staff, alumni, graduates of the ABT/NYU Master’s Program in Ballet Pedagogy, and other prominent teachers. Learn more about our faculty by clicking on the links below.
Kevin McKenzie, ABT Artistic Director
Cynthia Harvey, Artistic Director, ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
Photo: Ian Whalen
Cynthia Harvey
Artistic Director, ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
View Cynthia's ProfileAccompanists
Each class at the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School is accompanied by one of our accomplished musicians.
Michael Cherry, Principal ABT JKO School Pianist
Stephanie Chun, Michael Dolnikov, John Epperson, Misha Golubitsky, Marco Jimenez, James Kost, Sofiya Leavsie, Dmitry Polischuk, Tim Prepscius, Victor See Yuen, Lauren Shapiro, Mihoko Suzuki, Laura Tishchenko, Mira Tsidulko
Alumni
Alumni of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School currently account for 23% of the dancers in ABT’s Main Company, including:
ABT JKO School graduates have also gone on to dance with many renowned ballet companies both domestic and international, such as the ABT Studio Company, The Washington Ballet, Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, and others.
Contact Us
If you require further assistance or have any questions regarding the Pre-Professional Division of the ABT JKO School, please contact us.
Contact UsFAQs
Explore frequently asked questions for the ABT JKO School’s Pre-professional Division.
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