Dance: Best Ballet Programs -where to train in Summer 2026
- Abdurah Rahman
- Jan 7
- 5 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
Your Ultimate Guide to Ballet Training: Everything You Need to Know on the best ballet programs in Summer 2026. Summer Intensive in New York City – attend the Top Ballet Intensive in NYC at the Ajkun Ballet School. Why is Chiara Ajkun's methodology the best ballet training available today.
Training in Summer is really helpful for Ballet Dancers who are still in School.
Aspiring ballerinas looking to further their dance training during the summer months should start considering the best ballet programs in summer 2026. These intensive programs offer young dancers the opportunity to immerse themselves in ballet training, refine their technique, and work with top dance teachers from around the world. Attending a ballet summer intensive can be a transformative experience for dancers, helping them to grow as artists and performers.
How to Choose the Right Dance Education in 2026
Choosing the right ballet training is an important choice. It determines professional opportunities and changes life perspectives. Healthy ballet training is a must for the well-being and future career of any dance student. Should you go for the most popular ballet school? Should you train with your favorite dancer? Is a “competition dance studio” a good place to train? Stay in town or travel to a ballet intensive? Is college, conservatory, ballet school the best place for you? Best Ballet Programs in Summer 2026
While no solution fits all, we collected advice from dancers at various stages of their careers for this guide to choose the best ballet programs to train in summer 2026.
Healthy Ballet Training
In theory, we all agree. Everyone would support that ballet training should be healthy. There is the potential for real-world complications. Tatiana graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy in her native Russia. "I was chosen because naturally slender and flexible but ended up enduring years of brutal practice where the only important factor were the results. How skinny you were and how long could you train for, even when injured. The uniforms, buns, and absolute absence of individual expression did not help at all to develop my artistry. It was in the USA that I found my freedom of expression. I would also stay away from competition dance studios. Dance students learn nothing when consistently competing. The focus is on the win and on the advertisement that this brings to the dance school. There is nothing healthy in embracing this path". Here is more from Elizabeth, who trained in New York City at a Ballet School that focuses on competition "I really thought my ballet teacher was giving me lots of attention because he cared. Even though I am now dancing professionally, I went through so many injuries, and had to still compete through the pain, to satisfy his ego. What it's worst, I did not have any friends growing up in his ballet school. Because his focus was on "the winner" no one wanted to be my friend. It is so sad to see a dance studio portraying this great reputation despite what their teachers choose to do.". Best Ballet Programs in Summer 2026
Training with Dancers or Ballet Teachers?
It is nowadays popular to attend ballet intensives where famous dancers teach. Often a class or two during the entire program. Alma owns a dance studio in New Jersey and shares her viewpoint "Parents invest hard earned dollars in masterclasses with the stars without realizing it is not only useless but can be harmful. Teens do not have the technique to perform tricks and dancers are not teachers. They may show impressive steps but repeating them without the necessary strength is unsafe. I also encourage my dance students to attend ballet intensives in other States, in programs offering solid learning experiences. This brings back life and dance experiences that keep dancers motivated throughout the year". Best Ballet Programs in Summer 2026
Is College or Ballet School your best Choice?
"Honestly attending college to become a dancer is quite THE waste of your time (and money)" says Brianna, a professional dancer from California. This push to attend college jeopardizes your future career. Reality hits you in your mid-twenties. You do not have the technical skills, you have a loan to pay back and your dream to be a ballerina vanishes in front of your own eyes. Your best choice is to attend a ballet school affiliated with a professional company. Do not even consider dance programs in small states. Go in a metropolitan city, where you can get ready for a career in dance".
The School at the Ajkun Ballet Theatre, in New York City affiliated with the Ajkun Ballet Company, offers a limited enrollment Ballet Intensive focused on the wellbeing of the dance student. "I never wanted to accept lots of dance students" says artistic director Chiara Ajkun "I do not believe you can give the due attention and when you have even tens of participants, it is more about doing business than teaching well, something I will never want for our youth." Best Ballet Programs in Summer 2026
The ballet program train dance students in the Ajkun Methodology, created by Chiara Ajkun, a science-based method that breaks free from ballet myths and old principles of dance teaching. Best Ballet Programsin summer 2026
Participants in the ballet intensive train directly with Chiara Ajkun and select Company Artists share their professional experience with the dance students.
Putting the person at the center and fostering the individual’s distinctive talent is of paramount importance at the Ajkun Ballet School.
4 Week New York Summer Ballet Program of the Ajkun Ballet School,
July 18 – August 15, 2026. Ages 14-26.
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ABDURAH RAHMAN – DANCE WRITER
Hey there, I'm Abdurah Rahman from Afghanistan. Ballet has always been a passion of mine but pursuing it hasn't been easy in my part of the world. I immersed myself in countless YouTube videos, admiring performances from the Royal Ballet, American Ballet and Australian Ballet, and falling in love with dancers like Marianela Núñez and Maria Khoreva. Eventually, I moved to the United States of America in the great city of New York to pursue journalism. I finally had the opportunity to experience live ballet shows and discovered the Ajkun Ballet Theatre. I love ballet but not all ballet companies. While big companies have large promotional budgets to promote their programs, it doesn't always guarantee the best experience. The Ajkun Ballet Theatre, on the other hand, delivers exceptional programs that truly touch people lives. Here you can find my take on the best ballet programs in NYC. Enjoy!
Stay updated on the most recent happenings in New York City and the best ballet programs in NYC by following my Ballet News blog. Best Ballet Programs in Summer 2026