OBT School Summer Programs
Oregon Ballet Theatre School, 720 S Bancroft Street, Portland, OR 97239
About
OBT School Summer Programs include a wide range of dance and training activities such as ballet technique, men’s technique, pointe, pre-pointe, pirouette classes, variations, repertory, ballet repertory, character, modern/contemporary, contemporary dance, jazz, flamenco, hip hop, Irish step, improvisation, conditioning, Pilates, yoga, strength training, and stage acting. Younger-level offerings include Pre-Ballet, Creative Movement, and Primary Ballet, and advanced work includes pas de deux, partnering, batterie, NIQUE, and Nutcracker preparation, along with makeup, health, mental strength and nutrition, and dance history seminars.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer Junior Intensive full-day program 9:00 AM–4:00 PM with weekly options; Summer Senior Intensive offered in 6-week, 4-week, and 2-week sessions
• Price: 2026 Summer Senior Intensive tuition ranges from $1,226.66–$3,530.00 depending on session length; housing ranges from $1,380.00–$4,080.00; Summer Junior Intensive is $626 per week
The Summer Senior Intensive is a full-day program for students ages 12 and older by audition only, and the Junior Intensive is for dancers ages 8 to 15. Students ages 12 and older who require housing in Portland are housed in fully chaperoned dormitories, with room and board that includes twin beds with linens and towels, breakfast and dinner daily, a TriMet transportation pass, weekend excursions, and experienced OBT School Resident Assistants on duty at all times. Room and board also include triple security with key access for building entry, elevator, and room, uniformed 24-hour campus security, and common areas cleaned by custodial staff, while students bring personal supplies and can purchase light snacks on site. Housing is separate from Summer Intensive registration and is reserved on a first-come basis.
The 2026 Summer Senior Intensive runs June 22–July 31 for the 6-week session, June 22–July 18 for the 4-week session, and July 20–July 31 for the 2-week session. The Summer Junior Intensive offers three full-day weeks: June 15–20 (no classes June 19), August 3–7, and August 10–14. Dancers who aspire to join OBT2 must attend at least the first 4 weeks of the 2026 Summer Intensive, and admission to OBT2 is by invitation from the Artistic Director and School Director.
OBT School’s curriculum incorporates classical ballet traditions with evidence-based modern training practices and was created to produce coachable, healthy, well-rounded dancers. Pre-Ballet and Creative Movement classes introduce basic ballet vocabulary and class etiquette, Level 3 students begin pointe work, Levels 4 and 5 Professional & Demi include pas de deux, variations, and advanced contemporary work, and Level 6 Professional & Demi includes partnering, variations, NIQUE, and improvisation. OBT School makes annual need-based financial aid available via a TADS online application, and a limited number of financial and merit scholarships are available for the 2026 Senior Summer Intensive.
The Summer Senior Intensive faculty includes OBT School’s year-round professional faculty, members of Oregon Ballet Theatre’s artistic staff, dancers from Oregon Ballet Theatre, and various guest teachers. Guest faculty include Sofiane Sylve, current Artist-in-Residence with National Ballet of Canada and former principal dancer with Dutch National Ballet, New York City Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet, and Harper Watters, principal dancer with Houston Ballet; nutrition seminars are led by Registered Dietitian Lucy Wild, MS, LDN. The leadership team includes OBT Artistic Director Dani Rowe and School Director Katarina Svetlova, whose training includes study with Haydee Gutierrez in Miami, the John Cranko School in Stuttgart, and the Princess Grace Academy in Monte Carlo, and whose professional career includes serving as a principal dancer with OBT from 1995 to 2002 and with Deutsche Oper Am Rhein Ballett from 2002 to 2007. Additional leadership and faculty roles are held by School Director and principal faculty members, rehearsal directors, company dancers, wellness coach Lauren Reins, and instructors in composition, improvisation, modern, Limón, hip hop, and flamenco, along with OBT company members and distinguished guests.
OBT School states its mission as sharing meaningful, high-quality dance experiences with students, families, and communities; inspiring children and adults to use their bodies in new and different ways through dance; and connecting with the community by removing physical and cultural barriers and providing greater access to dance. OBT2 marked its first official year in the 2016/17 season.
Last updated March 30, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer Junior Intensive full-day program 9:00 AM–4:00 PM with weekly options; Summer Senior Intensive offered in 6-week, 4-week, and 2-week sessions
• Price: 2026 Summer Senior Intensive tuition ranges from $1,226.66–$3,530.00 depending on session length; housing ranges from $1,380.00–$4,080.00; Summer Junior Intensive is $626 per week
The Summer Senior Intensive is a full-day program for students ages 12 and older by audition only, and the Junior Intensive is for dancers ages 8 to 15. Students ages 12 and older who require housing in Portland are housed in fully chaperoned dormitories, with room and board that includes twin beds with linens and towels, breakfast and dinner daily, a TriMet transportation pass, weekend excursions, and experienced OBT School Resident Assistants on duty at all times. Room and board also include triple security with key access for building entry, elevator, and room, uniformed 24-hour campus security, and common areas cleaned by custodial staff, while students bring personal supplies and can purchase light snacks on site. Housing is separate from Summer Intensive registration and is reserved on a first-come basis.
The 2026 Summer Senior Intensive runs June 22–July 31 for the 6-week session, June 22–July 18 for the 4-week session, and July 20–July 31 for the 2-week session. The Summer Junior Intensive offers three full-day weeks: June 15–20 (no classes June 19), August 3–7, and August 10–14. Dancers who aspire to join OBT2 must attend at least the first 4 weeks of the 2026 Summer Intensive, and admission to OBT2 is by invitation from the Artistic Director and School Director.
OBT School’s curriculum incorporates classical ballet traditions with evidence-based modern training practices and was created to produce coachable, healthy, well-rounded dancers. Pre-Ballet and Creative Movement classes introduce basic ballet vocabulary and class etiquette, Level 3 students begin pointe work, Levels 4 and 5 Professional & Demi include pas de deux, variations, and advanced contemporary work, and Level 6 Professional & Demi includes partnering, variations, NIQUE, and improvisation. OBT School makes annual need-based financial aid available via a TADS online application, and a limited number of financial and merit scholarships are available for the 2026 Senior Summer Intensive.
The Summer Senior Intensive faculty includes OBT School’s year-round professional faculty, members of Oregon Ballet Theatre’s artistic staff, dancers from Oregon Ballet Theatre, and various guest teachers. Guest faculty include Sofiane Sylve, current Artist-in-Residence with National Ballet of Canada and former principal dancer with Dutch National Ballet, New York City Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet, and Harper Watters, principal dancer with Houston Ballet; nutrition seminars are led by Registered Dietitian Lucy Wild, MS, LDN. The leadership team includes OBT Artistic Director Dani Rowe and School Director Katarina Svetlova, whose training includes study with Haydee Gutierrez in Miami, the John Cranko School in Stuttgart, and the Princess Grace Academy in Monte Carlo, and whose professional career includes serving as a principal dancer with OBT from 1995 to 2002 and with Deutsche Oper Am Rhein Ballett from 2002 to 2007. Additional leadership and faculty roles are held by School Director and principal faculty members, rehearsal directors, company dancers, wellness coach Lauren Reins, and instructors in composition, improvisation, modern, Limón, hip hop, and flamenco, along with OBT company members and distinguished guests.
OBT School states its mission as sharing meaningful, high-quality dance experiences with students, families, and communities; inspiring children and adults to use their bodies in new and different ways through dance; and connecting with the community by removing physical and cultural barriers and providing greater access to dance. OBT2 marked its first official year in the 2016/17 season.
Last updated March 30, 2026.
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