PHILOSOPHY:

Ajkun Ballet Theatre believes early exposure to life in a professional company to be key in a successful career choice. Dance education begins, and continues throughout one's life, by shaping the highest standards of aesthetic principles that only professional performances can offer to their audiences. Those who are interested in the pursuit of a professional dance career should become familiar with all production, performance and lifestyle aspects of this industry before entertaining the idea of becoming employed in the performing arts. Talent and creativity play important roles, however, professionally oriented individuals are to master the science behind the indispensable tools for this career. The art of academic teaching is a science based on discoveries of the empirical knowledge that guides our practice of ballet. Daily classes secure the ability to perform steps at their highest clarity, focus on musicality, flexibility, balance, speed and coordination as we marvel at how the body's complex systems interact in this process.  During rehearsals we take such practice to pragmatic criteria, based on hypothesis-driven research on dancer's bodies. The process employs dogmas of traditional repertory, where efforts are made to match standards set by history, and furthers into the future by newly created movements in contemporary ballet and contemporary dance choreographies. Extensive periods of time spent on theater stages fully provide hands-on practice. We recommend Dance Students, as young as 14 years of age, experience daily company operations in a professional, yet nurturing, summer study environment while continuing education in their home communities. Pre-Professionals and Professional Dancers as young as 16 years of age, should invest in preparing themselves to the highest artistic standard to take repertory, pas de deux, pointe and modern dance skills to a performing level and to learn how to create awareness for the opportunity of their services. Participants of our Programs are given the opportunity to explore many roles of AjkunBT's trademark repertory, are inspired and mentored by our Company professionals, as a symbol of the trust and unique relationship that our artists enjoy with the youngest. Each Dancer selected to participate in our programs is predicted to have a special spark that we hope will lead them to become one of the best world-class dancers of tomorrow, whether in The United States or in any other Country of the World. To Facilitate this process, Ajkun Ballet Theatre partners with over 100 Dance Companies worldwide to open the avenues of employment opportunities to the youngest dancers.

INVESTING IN EDUCATION:
There is no question that an outstanding education is the predictive indicator of future success in society, and that the value of such education is immeasurable. However, it is our belief that the cost of education shall not be a hurdle for gifted dancers, regardless of their financial status. Our Educational Programs are funded by public and private contributions to significantly reduce each program's actual cost. The ratio of applicants to our programs guarantees your investment to be on a rising Star. Visit the Dancer's Ring to contribute, learn about the success of our Alumni who went on to take prominent positions in the professional world, and are currently employed in Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South Americas, and read what audience members, remarkable dancers, dance teachers and directors and prominent artists from five continents say about us on our Testimonials page.

THE PARTICIPANT BODY:
Participants of our programs represent a distillation of the hopes and aspirations of a substantial number of Dancers and Dance Teachers. Over 2,000 candidates participate in our auditions every year, resulting in about 30 Dancers being accepted into the Company's Trainee and Summer Programs. A maximum of 10 Dancers and 2 Dance Teachers are accepted to our Full-Time Trainee Program and, on average, 20 Dancers and 2 Dance Teachers are accepted to our Summer Program. Dance Teachers and Student Teachers, please visit our Dance Teachers page. Dance Students and Graduates please visit our Ajkun Ballet School Page. Our Trainees come from a variety of institutions throughout the United States and from many foreign countries. The opportunity to become familiar with the Ajkun Methodology and the AjkunBT Repertory is also offered to Dance Students, Performers and Dance Ensembles during our January  New York Winter Festival, and abroad, in July, at the Dance in Italy Festival. Additional workshops are offered throughout Australia in September, South America in November, Asia in January, and the United States and Europe in February-March, mostly in combination with the Company's touring engagements.
Details about ongoing Workshops and Master Classes are periodically announced on facebook.

QUALIFICATIONS:
To qualify for admission, applicants must demonstrate strong enthusiasm and ability for the vigorous pursuit of technical knowledge and physical skills in the field. Admittance is granted by audition, on a first-come, first-serve basis, to exhaustion of the limited places available. Due to the high volume of requests, applications are accepted up to three years in advance; early registration is strongly recommended. To preserve our extraordinary standard, the number of positions may be distinguished by country. Minimum requirements: 18 years old (Dance Teachers and Student Teachers) 16 years old (Full-Time Program), 14 years old (Summer Program), 11 years old (New York Winter Festival and Dance in Italy Workshops). All candidates must have mastered a strong base in ballet technique and have the physical prerequisite to sustain an intense daily training.  International Applicants are fully assisted to apply for an H-3 visa; this visa program is designed for foreign dancers who come to train in the United States with a qualifying dance institution. 

Visit our Auditionpage for detailed information. Download the Audition Form.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROGRAM:
If you are unsure which program is best for you, please be aware that we welcome correspondence with applicants who would like assistance in determining the most appropriate program for their interests.
You may contact us by emailing artisticstaff@ajkunbt.org or meet with our Artistic Staff at our Open Auditions and Workshops.

Trainee Program:

Dancers, ages 16 years and above, who are interested in being trained in the Ajkun Ballet Theatre's exclusive trademark repertory, in the Ajkun Methodology, and in experiencing the New York City Performing Arts Scene, may audition to join our Fulltime Trainee Program. Trainees may be invited to join the Company for its New York Season, to follow The Company in one of its International Tours, or both. To apply for this position, dancers must be extremely advanced in ballet and pointe technique, interested in contemporary movement, and physically fit for the world's finest professional companies. Read More...

Ajkun Ballet School:

Dancers, ages 12-19 years old, who are preparing for a professional career with Ajkun Ballet Theatre and beyond. Students attend daily classes in Classical Technique, learn the classical repertoire, work with choreographers on new creations, are offered elective classes for their wellbeing and are mentored in career and marketing skills for a successful career. Read More...

Performing in New York - Summer Program

WE WELCOME ALL INQUIRIES:
Email requests to ajkun@aol.com to ensure a timely and effective answer.
Postal correspondence should be addressed to:  AjkunBT - Dancers Programs, 193 Cross Street, New York, NY 10464-1225 USA
Dancer Programs Telephone: 646-368-9800

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Due to the very limited number of positions available, early application is strongly advised. Applications are accepted as early as THREE YEARS in advance.

PROGRAM INFORMATION:

Select one of the following links to access specific program information:

PERFORMING IN NEW YORK               TRAINEE          AJKUN BALLET SCHOOL  

NEW YORK WINTER FESTIVAL        DANCE IN ITALY FESTIVAL       DANCE TEACHERS

Take a look inside the most prestigious and vibrant dance studios of  New York City, where the Ajkun Ballet Theatre holds its daily classes and rehearsals; and the theaters that host our Performance Season.

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Education for Dancers