Each year PNB School selects upper level students to participate in established exchanges at two elite ballet schools: Canada’s National Ballet School and Royal Danish Ballet School.

Students chosen for the National Ballet School in Toronto, Ontario participate in the school’s four-week summer program. Established in 1959, NBS is one of the world’s foremost training institutions providing dance training, academic instruction, and residential care on one campus. The summer exchange program was started in 1998 by Francia Russell and NBS artistic director Mavis Staines

Students chosen for the Flemming Halby Dance Student Exchange program between PNB School and the Royal Danish Ballet School, will travel to Copenhagen for the Royal Danish Ballet School’s two-week program. The exchange, made possible by Support from Scan|design Foundation by Inger and Jens Bruun and the Northwest Danish Association, was initiated in 2007 to honor Flemming Halby, longtime PNBS faculty member and former Royal Danish Ballet dancer.

“I had an incredible experience. I went into the program hoping to grow as a dancer while also immersing myself in a new environment and learning about the culture and that is exactly what I got out of this exchange. It was such an honor to be able to represent PNB while in Denmark and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to learn and study there.”
-Zoe Derauf, 2019 Exchange student

In addition to these reciprocal exchanges, PNB School also hosts two students from Bulgaria each summer, to participate in PNB’s annual Summer Course. Bulgarian students are chosen through the Iliev Dance Art Foundation, directed by PNB Summer Course guest faculty member, Petur Iliev.

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National Ballet School
Students chosen for the National Ballet School in Toronto, Ontario participate in the school’s four-week summer program. Established in 1959, NBS is one of the world’s foremost training institutions providing dance training, academic instruction, and residential care on one campus. The summer exchange program was established by Francia Russell and NBS artistic director Mavis Staines in 1999.

2026 NBS Program Dates
June 30 – July 24 (4 weeks)

Expenses Covered by Exchange
Full Tuition Scholarship

Student is Responsible for
Housing
Meals
Airfare
Incidental Expenses

Housing Information
Dormitory housing may be available for Summer 2026 exchange students. More information to come from NBS.

Age Requirements
15-18 at the time of Summer program
Applications for NBS are due to PNB School by December 1, 2025.

The Royal Danish Ballet Summer School

Students chosen for the Royal Danish Ballet School in Copenhagen, Denmark participate in the school’s two-week Apprentice Program. Students participate in 2-3 daily classes Monday-Friday, including a daily class and possibly repertoire with the apprentices of The Royal Danish Ballet School. Students will also take company class on Saturdays with The Royal Danish Ballet, and have the option to observe apprentice rehearsals.

2026 RDB Apprentice Program Dates
August 17-29 (travel dates are August 16 and 30)

Expenses Covered by Exchange
Full Tuition Scholarship
Airfare

Student is Responsible for
Housing
Meals
Incidental Expenses

Applications for RDB are due December 1, 2025.