Video by Ezra Hurwitz.
Video by Ezra Hurwitz.
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The American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School is a pre-professional ballet training program for students, ages 12-18. Under the direction of Artistic Director Stella Abrera, 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.
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 is $7550 for students in Upper 1; $9050 for students in Upper 2; and $9950 for students in Upper 3. Scholarships are awarded based exclusively on merit and are extremely competitive. There is no financial aid available.
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.
Monday 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Tuesday 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Wednesday 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Thursday 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Friday 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Saturday 12:15 pm - 5:30 pm
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.
Monday 2:30 pm - 6:45 pm
Tuesday 2:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Wednesday 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Thursday 2:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Friday 2:15 pm - 6:30 pm
Saturday 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
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.
Monday 10:45 am - 4:15 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am - 4:15 pm
Thursday 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Friday 11:00 am - 4:15 pm
Saturday 2:15 pm - 4:15 pm
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.
Acceptance to the Pre-Professional Division of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School is by audition only. Dancers ages 11-18 may audition for the 2023-2024 school year by attending the Pre-Professional Division Open Audition or by submitting a video audition.
Dancers who auditioned for the ABT JKO School Pre-Professional Division during ABT’s 2023 Summer Intensive National Audition Tour (in one of the eligible cities below), will receive results via email by mid-March.
New York, NY (January 7), Boca Raton, FL (January 14), Washington, DC – Silver Spring (January 16), Orlando, FL (January 16), San Diego, CA (January 21), Costa Mesa, CA (January 22), San Francisco, CA (February 4)
The ABT JKO School Pre-Professional Division will be holding one in-person open audition for the 2023-2024 school year on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at ABT’s Studios located at 890 Broadway, New York, NY. Pre-registration is required.
The Pre-Professional Division audition is open to dancers of all genders who have achieved an advanced level of ballet training. Applicants for the Pre-Professional Division must turn 12 by September 1, 2023 and be no older than 18 on April 1, 2023.
1:30PM-3:30PM ET – Ages 11-14
3:30PM-5:30PM ET – Ages 15-18
Auditioning dancers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (including single booster if eligible). A person is considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) or 2 weeks after receipt of the single dose Janssen Vaccine. Booster eligibility is based on CDC guidance. Students requiring an exemption should plan to audition via video audition.
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Step One: Register for the ABT Portal
Step Two: Register for an Audition
Step Three: Additional Steps once registered
For any issues with your registration, please contact Portal@abt.org.
Please keep in mind the following for the day of the audition:
Students are to abide by the following dress code for their audition:
You may submit a video audition for consideration for the Pre-Professional Division for the 2023-2024 school year. The portal to submit a video audition will be open until April 7, 2023. Please find video submission information below.
The Pre-Professional Division audition is open to dancers of all genders who have achieved an advanced level of ballet training. Applicants for the Pre-Professional Division must turn 12 by September 1, 2023 and be no older than 18 on April 1, 2023.
Step One: Register for the ABT Portal
Step Two: Register for an Audition
For any issues with your registration, please contact Portal@abt.org.
VIDEO SUBMISSION PORTALOct
24
Tuesday
The Fall Gala will feature a one-time-only program of beloved classic and contemporary pas de deux performed by ABT Principal Dancers. The evening will also showcase talented young dancers from the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and ABT Studio Company.
Led by Artistic Director Stella Abrera, 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.
Susan Jaffe, ABT Artistic Director
Stella Abrera, Artistic Director, ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
Photo: Fabrizio Ferri.
Artistic Director, American Ballet Theatre
Photo: Sophie Elgort, courtesy Lafayette 148.
Artistic Director, ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
Photo: Chris Hardy.
Principal Teacher, ABT JKO School Pre-Professional Division
Photo: Michael Cairns.
Principal Teacher, ABT JKO School Pre-Professional Division
Photo: Hanna Bass.
ABT National Training Curriculum Artistic Associate
Photo: Hanna Bass.
ABT National Training Curriculum Artistic Associate
Each class at the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School is accompanied by one of our accomplished musicians.
Michael Cherry, Stephanie Chun, John Epperson, Misha Golubitsky, Shimako Horii, Sofiya Leavsie, Dmitry Polischuk, Tim Prepscius, Victor See Yuen, Mihoko Suzuki, Laura Tishchenko, Mira Tsidulko
Alumni of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School currently account for 35% 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.
If you require further assistance or have any questions regarding the Pre-Professional Division of the ABT JKO School, please contact us.
Contact UsExplore frequently asked questions for the ABT JKO School’s Pre-professional Division.
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