Student Life & Wellness

Meet the Wellness Team

• Kathryn Besong, ABT JKO School Physical Therapist
• Brittany Hillyer, Student Counselor
• Aubrey Lynch II, Dean of Students and Director of ABT Wellness and ABT RISE
• Clarice Marshall, Pilates Consultant and Instructor
• Lauren Wood, Student Life Coordinator

Injury Prevention

Physical therapy, Pilates, and body conditioning are all a part of the ABT JKO School Pre-Professional Division and ABT Studio Company curriculum. All Pre-Professional Division students and ABT Studio Company dancers receive a comprehensive introduction to injury prevention from our physical therapist. This includes an injury prevention workshop each semester as well as an intake session at the beginning of the school year. Our physical therapist works with Pilates and body conditioning instructors to provide the best care to prevent and recover from injury. Physical Therapy and Pilates appointments are offered onsite at the ABT JKO School for Pre-Professional Division Students and ABT Studio Company. ABT Studio Company dancers also have weekly individual Pilates appointments to focus on each dancer’s specific needs.

Nutrition

ABT JKO School Pre-Professional Division students and ABT Studio Company dancers have access to licensed nutritionists. The ABT JKO School provides two group informational workshops per level, per year. Students can sign up for one-on-one sessions as needed. Nutritionists offer tips for healthy eating and how best students can fuel their bodies. For additional nutrition resources, students and families can reach out to ABT JKO School Social Worker, Brittany Hillyer or Student Life Coordinator, Lauren Wood.

Mental Health

Each semester, the Dean and our counselors design therapeutic group workshops for all ABT JKO School Pre-Professional Division levels and ABT Studio Company. Each session includes tools to battle anxiety, depression, homesickness, etc. Pre-Professional Division Upper 2 and Upper 3 levels and ABT Studio Company dancers receive a one-on-one mindfulness intake session in the fall and a one-on-one follow-up spring session. These workshops and individual sessions highlight the relationship between mindfulness and a dancer’s ability to train and perform at the highest possible level.

Time Management

Time management is a workshop that emphasizes the responsibility a young dancer must have to maintain their schedule and commitments. The workshop focuses on giving dancers tools that include elements of organizing, planning, and scheduling.

Meet The Artist

The ABT JKO School Pre-Professional Division brings in ABT Principal Dancers, Soloists, and corps de ballet members to share their stories as Company members. ABT Company dancers also make appearances in Student Life’s Reflection Series.

Social Media

Being a visual art form, dance lends itself to social media. However, social media can have a serious impact on the mental health of young people. This workshop seeks to present the DOs and DON’Ts of social media and offers healthy reminders. It highlights how social media can be a powerful tool for self-promotion and how best to present oneself while also pointing out potential dangers.

Audition Support

ABT leadership, faculty, and staff assist with audition preparation including by reserving studio space when available, providing private coaching during the filming sessions, reviewing resumes, assisting with choosing photos and videos, and guiding students as necessary. Audition filming sessions are accompanied by the ABT JKO School Artistic Director or an ABT JKO School faculty member and letters of recommendation are available upon request.

Reflection Series

The Reflection Workshop Series covers the essential components of an emotionally intelligent artist and aims to equip dancers with tools to navigate challenges. The ABT JKO School Pre-Professional Division Reflection Workshop Series presents these lessons early in a student’s life in the context of ballet training.

Dormitories

The ABT JKO School partners with a residence hall located in Midtown Manhattan, just a fifteen-minute subway ride from the school. The residence offers fully furnished private and shared units with turnkey accommodations. Amenities include communal kitchens, 24-hour security, high-speed internet, on-site laundry, and other convenient services. Optional meal plans are available, with some featuring chefs dedicated specifically to ABT JKO School students. Please note that all meal plans are arranged and managed by the students’ families.

For more information, please contact Aubrey Lynch at alynch@abt.org or Lauren Wood at lwood@abt.org.