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, Resume Writing and 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 2019-2020 academic year is $6,750 for students in Upper 1, and $8,250 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: $6750
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 and Pilates.
2019-2020 Class Schedules
Monday 4:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Tuesday 4:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Wednesday 4:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Thursday 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Friday 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Saturday 12:30 pm - 3:15 pm
Uniform
There is a strict dress code for each level of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. Dress code details will be provided upon acceptance and enrollment.
Upper 2
Tuition: $8250
Ages: 15 - 18
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 and Music.
2019-2020 Class Schedules
Monday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Tuesday 1:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Wednesday 1:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Thursday 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Friday 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Saturday 3:15 pm - 4:45 pm
Uniform
There is a strict dress code for each level of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. Dress code details will be provided upon acceptance and enrollment.
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
Students may audition for the ABT JKO School Pre-Professional Division for the 2020-2021 school year at select cities on the ABT Summer Intensive National Audition Tour. Interested students may audition with their age group in the following cities:
- New York – January 5, 2020
- Washington, D.C. – January 20, 2020
- Atlanta – January 26, 2020
- Chicago – February 16, 2020
Click here for more information about the ABT Summer Intensive National Audition Tour.
The ABT JKO School Pre-Professional Division will also hold one other separate open audition in New York City in Spring 2020, date TBD.
Video Audition
We are no longer accepting video audition submissions for the 2019-2020 school year. Video audition guidelines for the 2020-2021 school year will be posted here this winter 2020.
Summer Intensives
Students may audition for the ABT JKO School Pre-Professional Division for the 2020-2021 School Year at select cities on the ABT Summer Intensive National Audition Tour. Interested students may audition with their age group in Atlanta (January 26, 2020); Chicago (February 16, 2020); New York (January 5, 2020 only); Washington, DC (January 20, 2020).
Alternately, students who have enrolled and are attending a 2020 ABT Summer Intensive can be evaluated for admission to the ABT JKO School during the course of the program. Specific audition information will vary by site and will be included in each corresponding student handbook. Those students auditioning at an ABT Summer Intensive site will be notified of audition results following the completion of their respective program.
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 ProfileFaculty
Accompanists
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, Sofiya Leavsie, Dmitry Polischuk, Tim Prepscius, Victor See Yuen, 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.
ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School students wear Capezio leotards.
American Ballet Theatre – Bringing Dance to America and American Dance to the World
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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