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Summer Intensive 2025
Program Information
Summer Intensive Camp with Lucia Erickson
July 7–18, 2025
Ages 9 and up
Held at Minnesota Ballet School, Eden Prairie, MN
We are proud to welcome Lucia Erickson, Soloist with Philadelphia Ballet, as the featured guest artist for our July Summer Intensive. With her distinguished career performing principal roles in both classical and Balanchine repertoire, Lucia brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and professionalism to our students. Known for her musicality, clarity of technique, and refined artistry, she offers dancers an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the art form through world-class instruction.
This two-week program provides focused, high-level training in Vaganova-based classical ballet technique alongside enrichment classes designed to strengthen versatility, performance quality, and technical mastery.
Program Structure:
Morning Session | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
• Classical Ballet Technique
• Pointe / Pre-Pointe
• Repertoire & Variations
Students will study and perform solo and ensemble variations from celebrated works such as Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and Le Corsaire under the guidance of Lucia Erickson and MBS faculty.
Afternoon Session | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
• Contemporary
• Aerial Ballet
• Stretching and Strength
Who Should Attend:
This intensive is designed for intermediate to advanced students ages 9 and up who are serious about their ballet education. Dancers will receive personalized attention and be encouraged to grow both technically and artistically.
Faculty:
- Lucia Erickson, Soloist, Philadelphia Ballet
- Additional international guest teachers
- Core faculty from Minnesota Ballet School
This is a unique opportunity to train with one of today’s most accomplished American ballet dancers in a program that values technical precision, musicality, and expressive performance.
Enrollment is limited to maintain a high standard of individual coaching.
The program culminates with a showing in the Minnesota Ballet School studio on Friday, June 27 and July 18.
Summer Intensive – Drop-In Option
Half-Day Program | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Daily and Weekly Enrollment Available
Minnesota Ballet Theatre & School is pleased to offer a flexible Drop-In Summer Intensive Program designed for dedicated students who may be unable to commit to the full intensive schedule. This half-day program provides focused training in Ballet, Pointe, and Repertoire, offering dancers the opportunity to maintain and enhance their technique throughout the summer.
Whether attending for a single day or a full week, students will benefit from high-quality instruction in a professional and supportive environment. This program is ideal for those looking to refine their skills, stay performance-ready, or experience our training approach before enrolling in the full intensive.
Advance registration is required. Space is limited.
This program is available to MBS graduates and students age 13+ who have been training in ballet consistently without extended gaps.
Summer Intensive Guest Instructors for 2025
Lucia Erickson(Soloist, Philadelphia Ballet)
Lucia Erickson, a Soloist with Philadelphia Ballet, is celebrated for her expressive artistry, refined technique, and commanding stage presence. Originally from Minnetonka, Minnesota, she began her ballet training at the age of three at the Academy of Russian Ballet (now Minnesota Ballet Theatre & School) in Eden Prairie, under the direction of Svetlana Bak-Gavrilova and Kirill Bak-Stepanoff.
Her dedication and talent led her to attend prestigious summer intensives at Minnesota Dance Theater, Marat Daukayev School of Ballet, The Rock School, the School of Philadelphia Ballet, and the School of American Ballet. At 16, she relocated to Philadelphia to train full-time at the School of Philadelphia Ballet.
Lucia joined Philadelphia Ballet II for the 2018–2019 season, quickly rising through the ranks. She was promoted to the Corps de Ballet in 2019, to Demi Soloist in 2020, and eventually to Soloist. Her repertoire includes standout roles in Don Quixote (Cupid, Flower Girl), George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® (Dew Drop, Lead Marzipan), La Bayadère (Shades Pas de Trois), and Divertimento No. 15 (Soloist), as well as contemporary works such as Juliano Nunes’ Connection and Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room.
Outside of ballet, Lucia is pursuing academic studies at the Community College of Philadelphia and studying Italian. She continues to inspire audiences with her dynamic performances and deep commitment to the art of ballet.
Veronika Part (Former Mariinsky and American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer, Esteemed Judge for California Dance Classic and YAGP, Master Teacher, global guest instructor.)
Veronika Part, born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1978, is a celebrated ballet dancer with a career spanning decades. Her journey in the arts commenced with gymnastics before she transitioned to ballet at the renowned Vaganova Ballet Academy in 1988. Graduating in 1996, she swiftly rose to prominence, joining the prestigious Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet and achieving the rank of soloist in 1998.
During her tenure with the Kirov Ballet, Part showcased her exceptional talent across a diverse repertoire, embodying iconic roles such as Nikiya in "La Bayadère," the Queen of the Dryads in "Don Quixote," and Odette-Odile in "Swan Lake." She also displayed her versatility through performances in works by acclaimed choreographers George Balanchine and John Neumeier, earning accolades such as the prestigious BALTIKA Prize in 1999.
In August 2002, Part embarked on a new chapter, joining the American Ballet Theatre as a Soloist. Over the years, she ascended to the rank of Principal in May 2009, leaving an indelible mark with her captivating performances. Her repertoire with ABT spanned a wide range of roles, from classical to contemporary works, highlighting her artistry and versatility on stage.
Throughout her illustrious career, Part has graced stages worldwide, captivating audiences with her beauty and artistry.
In July 2017, she retired from the American Ballet Theatre, yet her passion for dance persists as she continues to perform, enchanting audiences with her timeless elegance and grace. Additionally, she serves as a judge for esteemed competitions such as the Youth America Grand Prix and California Dance Classic, contributing her expertise to nurture the next generation of ballet talent.
Arkadiy Orohovsky (Artistic Director, Choreographer Master Teacher)
A native of Ukraine, Arkadiy Orohovsky received his formal dance training at the Kiev State Choreographic Institute, followed by Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Arts from the Kiev State University of Culture. He began his professional career with the Ukrainian National Theatre of Opera and Ballet, performing principal and soloist roles on international tours throughout Europe, Japan, Mexico, and Canada.
In 1994, Mr. Orohovsky earned the Bronze Medal at the Serge Lifar International Ballet Competition in Kiev. He later danced as Principal Dancer with Ballet El Paso, and served as Artistic Director of Dance at Brigham Young University, where he staged original and classical ballets while continuing to perform as a guest artist.
Mr. Orohovsky also danced with Houston Ballet under Ben Stevenson, with leading roles including Romeo, Albrecht, Prince Ivan, and the Bronze Idol. He is a highly respected guest artist and master teacher, having taught and choreographed across the U.S., Europe, and Japan. He has led a summer intensive in Prague for four consecutive years and coached students to success at Youth America Grand Prix and the World Ballet Competition.
Currently, he is the Artistic Director of South Mississippi Ballet Theatre, a pre-professional company dedicated to training students for professional careers.
In 2018, he was honored to contribute to the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson.
Video Audition
Video Submission Guidelines
Exercises to Include:
- Barre Exercises: Plié, Battement Tendu, Adagio
- Center Exercises: Adagio, Pirouettes, Petit Allegro, Medium Allegro, Grand Allegro
- Special Elements: Tours en l'air (for men), Pointe Work (for women)
- Optional: Classical Ballet Variation on Pointe
Additional Features:
- Other links to performances of classical variations (optional)
- Photo in First Arabesque
- Headshot
Submission Deadline:
- Accepting submissions until June 1, 2024, subject to program availability.
Video Audition Details:
- Video Fee: $50
- Record a 5-10 minute video audition incorporating the suggested exercises.
- Upload your video to YouTube, Vimeo, etc.
- Provide the video link (URL) during the submission process.
Summer Intensive Guest Instructors for 2024
Misha Tchoupakov (YAGP Finals Rehearsal Director, Judge, Master Teacher, global guest instructor.)
Originally from Moscow, Russia, Misha Tchoupakov, with an extensive career spanning the Bolshoi Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, Los Angeles Classical Ballet, Vienna State Opera Ballet, and San Francisco Opera Ballet, holds an M.F.A. in Dance Pedagogy and Choreography from the Moscow State Institute of Choreography. His rich teaching experience includes prestigious institutions worldwide such as the Royal Ballet School, University of Utah Department of Ballet, and currently, the University of North Carolina School of Dance. As the Rehearsal Director for YAGP in New York, he continues to be an internationally sought-after guest teacher, sharing his expertise globally.
Jennifer L. Bennett (Master Teacher)
Jennifer L. Bennett graduated from Kirov Academy of Ballet, Washington D.C. where She studied under instruction Alla Sizova – Prima Assoluta Ballerina Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet. As apprentice Jennifer tour across of United State with Kirov Ballet National Nutcracker. After graduation She was soon promoted to Artistic Director Ballet Petite and Youth Performing Arts School, Bethesda, Maryland.
2008-2012 Jennifer become a Principle Dancer with Ballet Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota. Performance roles include Beethoven’s 9th symphony, Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Mozart’s 40th Symphony, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, La Bayadere and Don Quixote.
2011-15 Mrs. Bennett start teach in Classical Ballet Academy in St. Paul MN
2015- Present She is full time faculty member and sole ballet teacher for competitive lines at Studio 4 Dance, Burnsville, Minnesota
Summer Ballet Programs for All Ages!
Join us this summer for inspiring ballet classes for children, teens, and adults — from our youngest dancers in Pre-Ballet to advanced intensives and adult beginner classes. Stay active, build technique, and enjoy the art of dance all summer long!
Limited spots available — register today!