Summer Intensive 2024

American Midwest Ballet
SUMMER INTENSIVE
June 10-28, 2024

If you have any questions, please email us at summerintensive@amballet.org

Welcome to the American Midwest Ballet Summer Intensive! Three intensive weeks of ballet, pointe, variations, jazz, modern, contemporary, and repertory are in store for dancers ages 11-25 in this challenging and rewarding program, held at the beautiful Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa – part of the vibrant Omaha metro area.

Also returning this year: the Junior Intensive, a one-week program for dancers ages 10-13!

Summer Intensive participants will immerse themselves in dance six days per week. They will be guided by a faculty consisting of stellar guest instructors and company artists of American Midwest Ballet. On the final day, full program Summer Intensive and Junior Intensive students will showcase what they’ve learned in a performance in the Hoff Center’s fully-equipped theater.

Online Auditions Open Now

Admission to the Summer Intensive is via a simple online audition. Visit this page to submit your online audition materials.

Our in-person audition period has closed.


Guest Faculty

Stephanie Martinez

Founder and artistic director, PARA.MAR Dance Theatre of Chicago. More…

Chloé-Grant Abel

Senior Ensemble Manager, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble.

Kristopher Estes-Brown

Choreographer, composer, director, and educator. More…


About the Intensive

Classes will be in AMB’s state-of-the-art studios at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center in Council Bluffs.
Dancers showcase what they’ve learned in a final-day performance.

Essential Info

  • Location: Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, Council Bluffs, Iowa (Omaha metro)
  • Performance opportunity: Final-day performance in the Hoff Center theater for full program Summer Intensive and Junior Intensive students

AMB Summer Intensive

  • Dates: June 10-28
  • Ages: 11-25
  • Classes: Ballet, pointe, variations, jazz, modern, contemporary, and repertory
  • Boarding option available for ages 13 and up
  • Enrollment options: Students may select the full three-week program, or the first week only.

AMB Junior Intensive

  • Dates: June 24-28
  • Ages: 10-13
  • Classes: Ballet, beginning/pre-pointe, variations, jazz, modern, contemporary, and repertory
Summer Intensive program director Kelanie Murphy and assistant director Nora Carr are among the American Midwest Ballet company artists who will teach at the Summer Intensive.

About the Hoff Center

First opened to the public in February 2020, the Hoff Family Arts & Culture is a hub for creative activity that includes education offerings, classrooms, artist studios, galleries, culinary arts and teaching kitchens, and a state-of-the-art 280-seat theater. Combining a fully-renovated 1894 building with a newly-constructed wing housing the theater and the studios of American Midwest Ballet, the 95,000-square-foot facility is one of the largest architectural projects of its kind in the country. The Hoff Center is the home of Pottawattamie Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (the nonprofit that manages the facility), American Midwest Ballet, Chanticleer Community Theater, Kanesville Symphony Orchestra, and Kitchen Council, a startup incubator for food entrepreneurs.

Take a virtual tour of the Hoff Center with AMB professional dancer Katerina Schweitzer

Boarding Option

boarding option is available for students age 13 and up. They will live in student housing on the Creighton University campus. Adult resident advisors, including AMB professional dancers, will supervise the boarding students, transport them to and from the Hoff Center for classes, and accompany them on weekend outings and activities.

An example of Creighton University student housing

Costs and Dates

PROGRAM OPTIONSBOARDING*DAY
3 Week Summer Intensive
tuition + boarding
1 Week Summer Intensive
tuition + boarding
3 Week Summer Intensive
tuition only
1 Week Summer Intensive
tuition only
1 Week Junior Intensive
tuition only
Ages
by June 1, 2024
13-2513-2511-2511-2510-13
DatesJune 9-28June 9-15June 10-28June 10-15June 24-28
Cost$4,800$1,800$1,800$650$650
Registration & Payment DeadlinesMay 1, 2024June 1, 2024
A $100 deposit (non-refundable) will be charged to your payment method at time of registration. After registration, you may make payments on your account at any time. Any remaining balance will be charged to your payment method on the due date.
*Proof of vaccination is required for all boarding students. Boarding students must check in and out of the residence hall on the dates indicated. No early check-in or late check-out is allowed.
Tuition Discount

A 10% tuition discount ($180 off the full program, $65 off single-week programs) is available to current American Midwest Ballet School students and past Summer Intensive attendees. Discount does not apply to deposits or boarding charges. May not be combined with any other offer. No cash value. Expires June 1, 2024.

Payment Deadlines
  • All students: A $100 deposit (non-refundable) will be charged to your payment method when you register. After registration, you may make payments on your account at any time. Any remaining balance will be charged on the due date listed below.
  • Boarding students: Registration deadline and payment in full due by May 1. Payments are non-refundable after May 1.
  • Day students: Registration deadline and payment in full due by June 1. Payments are non-refundable after June 1.

How to Apply

The application process has two steps: audition and enrollment. You should complete the audition step first. The audition help us determine if dancers are ready, in terms of training and technique, to take full advantage of an intensive three-week program. After audition, dancers accepted to the program will receive a link to complete their enrollment online. During enrollment, you’ll fill out the enrollment agreement, pay your deposit, and provide important contact information.

In-Person Audition

Our in-person audition period has now closed.

Online Audition

If an in-person audition doesn’t fit your schedule, we offer an online option. You can audition online by completing a simple form. You’ll be asked to supply some basic information about your dance background, and to upload the following items:

  • A brief letter of recommendation from your dance teacher including years of training; number and style of dance classes you take per week; and your classroom work ethic and demeanor.
  • A photo in first arabesque
  • A photo in tendu a la seconde

Frequently Asked Questions

How many classes will students take each day?

Students will take classes Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:30pm. They will then have a rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm in preparation for the final day performance. Saturday classes will run from 9:30-12:45. Here is one example of what a typical day would look like:

  • 9:30-11:00 Ballet Class
  • 11-12:15 Variations Class
  • 12:15-1:00 Lunch
  • 1:00-2:15 Jazz
  • 2:15-3:30 Conditioning
  • 3:30-4:45 Rehearsal
What is the student boarding like?

Boarding students for the AMB Summer Intensive will stay in student housing on the campus of Creighton University in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. Each suite includes 4 bedrooms, a furnished living room, a full kitchen (dishwasher, stove, refrigerator), and two full baths. Each student will have their own bedroom that includes a twin bed, desk, chair, and dresser. The building is fully air conditioned and has free wi-fi.

What will boarding students eat?

Students will typically have breakfast in their suite, utilizing the full kitchen and the provided grocery items. Dinner will take place at the Dining Hall on the Creighton campus, a full-service cafeteria. On dance days, lunch will be provided at the Hoff Center (where the dance studios are located.) On off days, meals may take place at the Dining Hall or at off-campus excursions.

Will students be supervised at all times?

Boarding students will have 24/7 supervision by a Resident Advisor (RA) through AMB. The RAs will be staying with the students at the housing facility. RAs will also accompany students on excursions and trips. While at the dance studios, students will be under the care of the AMB faculty, staff and RAs.

What will boarding students do while not dancing?

During the Summer Intensive program, students may also have the opportunity to experience a taste of the Omaha Metro area through excursions to local sites or events. Past excursions have included trips to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Fun-Plex, and local performances. These activities will be supervised by the RAs and include transportation (when applicable). Activities may also take place at the housing facility. These activities will be supervised by the RA staff and include things such as: crafts, movies, ice cream parties, and games.

Hope to See You Soon!

We look forward to seeing you at the 2024 Summer Intensive! If you have questions, please email us at summerintensive@amballet.org.

All program information is subject to change.

Photos from the 2023 Summer Intensive

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