PNB School Announces New Partnership with MoBBallet!

Pacific Northwest Ballet School is partnering with Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet (MoBBallet) to offer an exciting opportunity for Summer Course students! PNB School Summer Course students are invited to participate in MoBBallet’s Symposium on the Hill Ballet Intensive (August 2 – 8) during the last week of PNB School’s Summer Course (July 6 – August 7). Now, students don’t have to choose between PNB School’s Summer Course and the MoBBallet Symposium on the Hill. Rather, they can participate in both! Students will benefit from the unique offerings of the two prestigious programs while receiving complementary, tailored support throughout the entirety of their summer experience.

MoBBallet Symposium on the Hill

Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet, founded by Theresa Ruth Howard, is a renowned organization promoting the contributions of Black dancers in ballet internationally. Their Symposium on the Hill Intensive is a one-week summer dance program that combines one-on-one mentorship with dance education to empower the next generation of dancers. The daily schedule consists of morning technique classes, variations, choreography, seminars on topics such as Black dance history, nightly dance film screenings, and more. Housing and classes take place on Walnut Hill School for the Art’s state-of-the-art campus in Natick, Massachusetts.

The Symposium on the Hill’s unique mentorship program sets it apart. Advanced students are assigned their own mentor based on their personal goals, and their mentor observes them in class and offers personalized feedback and support. The mentorship program offers not only an invaluable dance training experience, but also a network of Black dance professionals providing support, community, and expertise.

A Natural Partnership

Pacific Northwest Ballet has been a partner with MoBBallet since 2015. Both organizations value diversity in ballet and holistic, student-centered dance education. Our shared student-centered approach led to this next step. Using students’ self-evaluation and goals, MoBBallet mentors and PNB Faculty will partner to support students participating in both programs to ensure a cohesive training experience.

Next Steps

Interested? PNB School Summer Course students will need to apply to the MoBBallet Symposium, which includes a self-evaluation and reflection integral to being matched with a mentor. After being accepted to both programs, students can contact PNB School to have fees waived for week five of Summer Course.

FAQs:

Do I need to apply to both programs? 
Yes, you must apply to both programs and be accepted to both.

If I am participating in both programs, do I still need to pay for the last week of PNB’s Summer Course? 
No! If participating in both programs, students’ fees for the last week of both Summer Course classes and housing will be waived.

Where is MoBBallet’s Symposium on the Hill? 
Symposium on the Hill is located at Walnut Hill School of the Arts campus in Natick, Massachusetts. Room and board are available on campus through the intensive.

Can I apply to MoBBallet’s Symposium on the Hill if I am a year-round student at PNB School?
Yes! Dance students age 12 and up are encouraged to apply to the Symposium.

Can I apply to MoBBallet’s Symposium on the Hill if I am a student attending PNB School’s Summer Day Program at the Francia Russell Center?
Yes! Dancers ages 12 and up are encouraged to apply for the Symposium. After being accepted to both programs, students can contact PNB School to have fees waived for week five of PNB School’s Summer Day Program.