Summer Course

July 10–August 11, 2023

Summer Course students and Company dancers share our state-of-the-art facility, The Phelps Center, located in the heart of downtown Seattle by the historic Space Needle. In our spacious, light-filled studios students experience the ultimate setting for professional summer intensive training while enjoying the benefits of PNB’s outstanding faculty, rigorous curriculum, and safe, secure environment.

We have prioritized efforts to advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and access at PNB School, creating policy and programs that ensure every PNB student and family feels a sense of belonging, acceptance, and support. Our school honors students’ preferred pronouns, provides gender neutral restrooms, offers the option of flesh-colored tights and shoes in all levels, and allows all students regardless of gender to train on pointe.

We are looking forward to welcoming students into the studio for in-person instruction for Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s 2023 Summer Course.

Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s Summer Course is a five-week summer intensive for intermediate and advanced students, 12 to 18 years old who are at a stage of technical advancement proportionate to their age and who have the physical qualifications suited to the demands of classical dance. Twelve year old’s must already be training on pointe by the time of their summer intensive audition.

Summer Intensive Auditions

Auditions for Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s 2023 Summer Course in Seattle have concluded. Check back in the fall for 2024 Audition Tour information.

Classes

Our Summer Course curriculum offers serious ballet students the highest caliber of intensive classical training, augmented by a rich diversity of dance forms necessary to meet the eclectic demands of dance companies today. PNB School’s Summer Course also offers students seminars by PNB consultants and dance specialists on a wide variety of topics relevant to the young dancer including injury prevention, mental health, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and pointe shoe care.

Weekly Schedule

Technique, Pointe, Variations, Pas de Deux, Modern, Hip Hop, Jazz, Character, Strength Training, Conditioning, and Seminars

Students attend classes Monday–Saturday. Class size is limited and all ballet classes are accompanied by professional pianists.

COVID-19 Protocols and Procedures

We understand your questions and concerns regarding the health and safety of your student while attending a summer intensive. Guidelines outlining PNB’s COVID-19 procedures for Summer Course will be sent to registered students in the spring.

No vaccination is required at this time to attend the 2023 Summer Course.

Housing

Housing will be provided on the beautiful campus of Seattle Pacific University for a limited number of students.

Housing Information

Housing is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, as demand exceeds capacity. The residence fee includes daily transportation to and from the PNB studios and three full meals per day.

2023 Residence Cost: $4,130

PNBS provides safe, supervised housing for Summer Course students ages 12–18 in Levels IV through VIII. The Residence is a secure building located on the picturesque campus of Seattle Pacific University in a quiet residential neighborhood approximately 1.5 miles from PNBS. We are the only group occupying the Residence. Cable TV and wireless internet access are provided. Other features include a comfortable main lounge with grand piano, a theater-style TV lounge with big-screen TV, separate lounges and kitchenettes with refrigerators on each floor, a large, well-equipped laundry room, and an ice machine. Daily transportation to and from the Residence and PNB studios is provided. Nutritious meals are served in SPU’s Gwinn Commons cafeteria, with daily vegetarian options, and vegan options available upon request.

The Residence is staffed by experienced adult counselors who live on-site during the entire 5 weeks to ensure a safe, congenial atmosphere and individual attention given to all residents.

The Residence’s location in a thriving, world-class city is a tremendous asset for Summer Course students. Seattle is surrounded by water and mountains, providing daily photo opportunities with seagulls, bridges, ferryboats, and snow-capped peaks. Public transportation continues to be available in the city, and students will be able to explore the city (masked at all times) via walking and/or Metro Transit (bus). Just up the hill from campus is a village-like avenue with coffee-shop and eateries. Other neighborhood attractions within walking distance of the Summer Residence include the Lake Washington Ship Canal, and the Fremont neighborhood, featuring public art and local boutiques.

Tuition

Level IV & V: $2,468

Level VI, VII, VIII, & Advanced C: $2,640

FAQ’s

Can I audition by video?
We prefer students attend one of our scheduled auditions (in person). Video auditions are accepted only in extreme circumstances from students who cannot attend a scheduled audition. Video submissions will be reviewed after all Summer Course Auditions conclude, and only if space is available in the program at that time. Scholarships are not awarded to those students accepted via video. For more information, please contact the school at pnbschool@pnb.org.

When will I find out the results of the audition?
Audition results will be e-mailed within 2-3 weeks of the audition date. Any student who does not hear back within two weeks should email pnbschool@pnb.org after checking any spam folders. No critique of the audition will be given.

How do I apply for the year round program?
Please visit our audition page to learn more about applying for the year round program.

Are there scholarships and/or financial aid available?
Pacific Northwest Ballet School determines 98% of its awards at the time of the Summer Course audition. Awards are given for part or full tuition only. Financial aid applications are available for those accepted and in need of assistance. Students must register first to hold a spot in the Summer Course before applying for Financial Aid; once registered, PNB School staff will email the application to the student.

Faculty

The distinguished faculty of PNBS is dedicated to providing the highest caliber of ballet training to our students. PNBS’s diverse and talented faculty includes current and former dancers from Pacific Northwest Ballet, New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and National Ballet of Canada, among many others.

FJ & Catherine Abaya
Marisa Albee
Lucie Baker
Peter Boal
Kirsten Cooper
Nancy Crowley
Rachel Foster
Doug Fullington
Ikolo Griffin
Mark Haim
Dana Hanson
Eric Hipolito Jr
Jaret Hughes
Petur Iliev
Carrie Imler
Kaylie Johnson
Jonathan Porretta
Hallie Keel
Kaori Nakamura
Abbie Siegel
Josh Spell
Eva Stone
Marjorie Thompson
Jennifer Turner
Alexander Ung
Le Yin

Summer Course Residence Staff

David Jensen (he/him) is Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s Summer Residence Director. This will be his 29th year with the PNB Summer Course. Dave grew up in Olympia, Washington, and earned his B.A. in English and Master in Teaching from the University of Washington. He has been a public school teacher for 23 years; he taught high school for ten years before moving to his current position as an English language arts teacher at Tillicum Middle School in Bellevue, Washington, in 2010. He has been a member of the Summer Residence staff since 1995 and has also served PNB School in the roles of Registrar and Eastside Administrative Assistant. In addition, Dave is one of our Summer Residence bus drivers and holds a commercial driver’s license with all required endorsements.

Patrick Cho (he/him) serves as PNB School’s Assistant Residence Director and is returning for his 18th summer at PNB. He was raised in Federal Way, Washington, after his parents emigrated from Myanmar. Patrick earned his B.A. in Developmental Psychology from Duke University and his M.A. in Teaching from the University of Washington. After taking a year off to travel domestically and abroad, he will be returning to the classroom to teach elementary school in the Tacoma public school district. 

Nicole Brown (she/her) received formal training at Ballet Royale Minnesota under Denise and Rick Vogt. She has danced in various professional companies in the Twin Cities, including St. Paul Ballet, Ballet CoLaboratory, Hatch Dance and Honeyworks. While maintaining her career as a dancer Nicole has also enjoyed teaching and choreographing for local studios in Minnesota. She is currently wrapping up her first season with Ballet Fantastique in Eugene, Oregon and looks forward to her first summer as a PNB Residence Counselor!  

Katie Connell (she/her) began her dance training in her hometown of Dayton, Ohio with the Dayton Ballet School, where she was able to dance alongside Dayton Ballet’s professional company. She attended various summer intensives such as Louisville Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet, CPYB, Orlando Ballet School, and Ballet Tucson. She has also had the opportunity to serve as a resident assistant at both CPYB and Orlando Ballet School’s summer programs. She graduated from the University of South Carolina’s dance program in 2022 and is currently an apprentice dancer with the Central Illinois Ballet. She is looking forward to joining the Residence team at PNB this year! 

Rebecca Cornett (she/her) grew up in Coral Springs, Florida. She started her ballet training with Magda Auñón at Ft. Lauderdale Ballet Classique and Miguel Campanería at the Hartt School in Hartford, Connecticut before accepting the opportunity to train at Boston Ballet School and at Pacific Northwest Ballet as a Professional Division student. She is currently a dancer with the St. Louis Ballet and has completed nine seasons with the company and three years as a teacher and coach at St. Louis Ballet School. In St. Louis, she has had the opportunity to perform the title roles in Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, Alice in Wonderland, and Cinderella as well as other principal roles and ballets. She is looking forward to coming back to Seattle for her second summer as a Residence Counselor.  

Ezra Dickinson (he/him) is an accomplished artist and dancer originally from Washington state. This will be his 16th year working as a PNB Summer Residence Counselor. Ezra trained at Pacific Northwest Ballet for twelve years on a full scholarship, and Cornish College of the Arts, where he earned his B.F.A. in Dance with an emphasis in choreography. Beyond his work in the arts, Ezra is deeply committed to social justice and community engagement. Currently, Ezra is working on “Stories From The Streets,” an interactive walking tour set in Seattle. This GPS-guided tour features interviews with the houseless, augmented reality, sound, performance, and installations. Funding for this new work is being provided by 4Culture. Ezra has created original works in choreography, film, sculpture, activism, murals, paintings, and movement installations that are on display around the world. For more information, visit ezradickinson.com. 

JonMarie Rose Johnson (she/her) began her dance training at The Louisville Ballet School and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy. She studied under teachers including Robert Curran, Mikelle Bruzina, Uwe Kern, and Helen Daigle. She has attended summer intensives with Louisville Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Nashville Ballet. JonMarie is also a 2017 alumna of The Kentucky Center Governor’s School for the Arts and was a member of Regional Dance America Southeast for five years. In 2021 she had the opportunity to work for Brenau University as the Head RA for their annual Summer Dance Intensive. In 2018 she was accepted into The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and has graduated with her BFA in Dance Summa Cum Laude. She trained with Nashville Ballet in their Professional Training Division and has graduated from the Louisville Ballet Studio Company. JonMarie is thrilled to return to PNB as a second-year Residence Counselor!  

Tarique Logan (he/him) is a Richmond, VA native who started his ballet career at Richmond Ballet and graduated from Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology with a focus in dance. He has trained under Malcolm Burn, Igor Anotonov, Starrene Foster and many others in his time there. He has also had the opportunity to experience collegiate dance with Virginia Commonwealth University before being accepted in Louisville Ballet’s Studio Company. He has spent the past two seasons with Louisville Ballet in the Studio Company, where he has had the opportunity to work with Phillip Neal, Adam Hougland, Ching Ching Wong and Lavelle Smith. This will be his first summer as a Residence Counselor with PNB.  

Antonio Lopez (he/him) began his dance training in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He attended various summer intensives such as Joffrey NYC, Walnut Hill, CPYB and Alonzo King Lines Ballet. His formative, two-year training at CPYB led him to start his professional career in the Twin Cities of Minnesota while also teaching within and around the Twin Cities for three years. He currently looks forward to his fourth season as a company member with Eugene Ballet and is thrilled to experience his third year as a Residence Counselor with PNB this summer!   

Siobhan Nickell (she/her) began her training in a small recreational ballet school in her hometown of Dayton, Ohio. From there she transitioned through several schools including Dayton Ballet, The Washington School of Ballet, and finally to Cincinnati Ballet where she was a trainee under the direction of Sarah Hairston for the three seasons. After years of training in various trainee programs as well as attending many different summer intensives, including The Rock School for Dance Education, Washington Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet, she is very excited to be going into her second season with Eugene Ballet as well as joining PNB for her first summer as a Residence Counselor! 

Rebekah Pearson (she/her) grew up in Atlanta, GA, studying ballet, modern, and Irish dance. She earned a B.A. in Dance and in Religious Studies from the University of Alabama in 2022. Rebekah is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) at Pacific University in Oregon. In her time at the University of Alabama, Rebekah performed in numerous works of productions of Alabama Repertory Dance Theater, Dance Alabama!, Dance Collections, and Dance Alabama Film Festival, additionally presenting her own choreographic works in Dance Alabama! and Dance Alabama Film Festival. She has competed at the regional, national, and international levels in Irish dance, most notably winning, with her team, the World Title in 2016 as part of a 16-Hand Figure Choreography team. She continues to pursue opportunities in Ballet and Irish Dance extracurricularly. Rebekah is very excited to spend her summer serving as a first-year Residence Counselor with PNB. 

Gabrielle Savka (she/her) grew up in Mansfield, Ohio and began her dance training in Ashland, Ohio. She has attended summer intensives at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, BalletMet, and Louisville Ballet. In December 2022 she graduated from The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Summa Cum Laude with her BFA in Ballet. She is currently a member of Louisville Ballet’s Studio Company. This is her first summer on the PNB Residence staff.

Contact

For questions or more information about Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Summer Course, please contact:

Pacific Northwest Ballet School
301 Mercer Street
Seattle, WA 98109
206.441.2435
pnbschool@pnb.org

Pacific Northwest Ballet School admits students of any race, ethnicity, color, gender identity or presentation, sex, sexual orientation, religion, immigration status, and sensory or mental disability to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of the aforementioned in administration of its education policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, performance casting, or any other School administered programs.

Summer Course Audition Tour Sponsor:

Talented Students in the Arts Initiative, a collaboration of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the SURDNA Foundation