Dancers on stage in red costumes

Victoria Bastian Photography • @vbastianphotography

Performances

In addition to daily ballet technique classes and performance rehearsal, students will receive training in many other dance disciplines including pointe, variation, character, musical theatre, contemporary, pas de deux, Pilates and more. Classes are taught by a distinguished and diverse roster of world-renowned faculty and guest faculty currently performing with national companies. Students spend a significant portion of their day rehearsing repertoire ballets that are often new works created on them by resident choreographers. Each summer former NYCB prima ballerina and 2014 Kennedy Center Award Honoree Patricia McBride who serves as Chautauqua School of Dance’s Principal repetiteur stages a work by world renowned choreographer George Balanchine, providing insight to the ballet’s history and technique from the perspective of someone who worked closely with him for many years. Former Paris Opera Ballet and NYCB Principal dancer Jean Pierre Bonnefoux, who now serves as the

Chautauqua School of Dance’s Principal Resident Coach, will lead small groups in coaching sessions which allow dancers to focus on areas to improve and excel. With guidance from faculty, dancers in the Pre-Professional division have the opportunity to create new works on their fellow dancers and collaborate with students from the Music School during the annual Choreographic Workshop. Wellness Classes will be offered with our Physical Therapist and Carla Körbes, guest faculty. On-site physical therapy is available for each student weekly at no additional cost.

Assisting students on their chosen career path is another important aspect of the program. Chautauqua Dance invites Artistic Directors of major national ballet companies to visit the program throughout the summer. The directors will view our students in class and rehearsal, host Q&A panels, and meet with dancers about future career opportunities.

Several student performances are presented to the Chautauqua community throughout the summer, including an Amphitheater evening with the Music School Festival Orchestra, two Sunday Galas, and in-studio showings. Many Pre-Professional division students have additional performance opportunities with visiting ballet companies. All Amphitheater performances are costumed by a fully staffed costume shop located in the Carnahan-Jackson Studio complex. Often costumes are designed and created specifically for the students when premiering new choreography.

Chautauqua School of Dance boasts an impressive list of alumni who can be seen on stage in major national and international companies. Curated by Sasha Janes, the annual All-Star Ballet Gala serves as a celebration of the exceptional talent consistently produced by the school. Previous galas have included artists from top-tier national and international companies such as NYCB, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, English National Ballet and more join forces for an exciting evening of contemporary and classical dance. In addition to the performance, alumni host discussion panels and serve as School of Dance guest faculty, graciously sharing their knowledge with the next generation of All-Stars.

The Chautauqua Dance platform presents a rotating roster of diverse professional dance companies in the Amphitheater during the nine-week summer season, giving students exposure to a wide range of artistic styles both on stage and in the studio in Master Classes with artists from the visiting companies. Companies in residence have included: Stars of American Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Nashville Ballet, Pilobolus, The Washington Ballet, Houston Ballet, and more. Students are required to attend every dance performance as part of the curriculum. Chautauqua Institution provides an amazing location for aspiring dancers to learn and grow in a supportive, arts-centric community. Students are encouraged to attend performances across disciplines and access to all Amphitheater events is included in the program cost. When not honing their craft in studio or on stage, students can spend their free time biking around the grounds, swimming in the lake, eating ice cream with friends on Bestor Plaza, and enjoying the many summer resort activities Chautauqua has to offer.

Performances

  • Workshop Studio Performance: Saturday, June 28, 2025 
  • Student Gala I: Sunday, July 13, 2025 
  • Student Gala II: Sunday, August 10, 2025
  • Chautauqua Pre-Professional Dancers with the Music School Festival Orchestra: Monday, July 21, 2025 
  • Pre-Professional Choreographic Workshop: TBA

The School of Dance provides students from across the nation the opportunity of studying with world-renowned teachers. The most advanced students receive the experience of performing with live orchestras in the 4,400-seat Amphitheater.