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MBS Summer Intensive 2026
Program Information
Elevate Your Training This Summer
Join Minnesota Ballet School's Summer Intensive, an immersive program designed to help dancers strengthen their technique, artistry, and performance skills in a focused and inspiring environment.
Rooted in the Russian Vaganova Method, our program provides comprehensive classical ballet training complemented by a variety of supplemental disciplines. Dancers will study with distinguished guest faculty and Minnesota Ballet School instructors while receiving individualized attention and expert guidance.
Video auditions are still being accepted, and daily drop-in enrollment is available.
Program Dates
Camp 1
June 15–26, 2026
Camp 2
July 6–17, 2026
Open to male and female dancers ages 9 and older.
Featured Guest Faculty
Camp 1 – Week 1
Matilda Bak
Camp 1 – Week 2
Lucia Erickson
Camp 2
Oleg Dedogryuk
Faculty biographies are available below.
Daily Schedule
Morning Program
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Ballet Technique
- Pointe Technique
- Classical Repertoire & Variations
Students will study excerpts and variations from beloved classical ballets including Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Le Corsaire, and more.
Afternoon Program
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Additional classes may include:
- Contemporary Dance
- Character Dance
- Aerial Ballet
Flexible Enrollment
Unable to attend the full intensive?
Dancers may register for individual days and participate in the program on a flexible schedule. Our drop-in option allows students to experience high-quality training while accommodating summer travel and other commitments.
Advance registration is required.
Final Studio Showing
Each session concludes with an informal studio showing for family and friends, allowing dancers to share what they have learned throughout the intensive.
Camp 1 Showing: Friday, June 26, 2026
Camp 2 Showing: Friday, July 17, 2026
Auditions & Registration
Video auditions are still being accepted.
Space is limited. Register early to reserve your place in Minnesota Ballet School's Summer Intensive 2026.
Summer Intensive Drop-In Program
Minnesota Ballet School is pleased to offer a flexible Drop-In Option for dancers who would like to participate in our Summer Intensive without committing to the full session.
Dancers may enroll by the day and experience the complete Summer Intensive curriculum while maintaining a schedule that works for their summer plans.
Program Hours:
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Daily Schedule Includes:
• Ballet Technique
• Pointe Technique
• Classical Repertoire & Variations
• Contemporary Dance/Aerial Ballet/Conditioning and Stretching
Students will study excerpts and variations from renowned classical ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Le Corsaire, and additional repertoire selected by faculty.
Session Dates:
Camp 1
June 15–26, 2026
Camp 2
July 6–17, 2026
Who Should Attend?
The Drop-In Program is ideal for dancers who:
• Want to maintain and improve their technique throughout the summer
• Need a flexible training schedule
• Wish to supplement other summer activities with high-quality ballet training
• Would like to experience Minnesota Ballet School's Summer Intensive program
Eligibility:
• Ages 12 and older
• Minimum of two years of ballet training
Registration:
Advance registration is required. Space is limited and enrollment is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
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, 2026, 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 2026
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.
Matilda Bak (Emerging Professional Ballet Artist)
Matilda Bak is a professional ballet artist and graduate of Minnesota Ballet School & Theatre. She is currently a trainee with Richmond Ballet under Artistic Director Ma Cong, following a season with New Orleans Ballet Theatre. Through these experiences, she continues to develop her career performing in a wide range of classical and contemporary productions.
Her professional training includes work with Richmond Ballet, New Orleans Ballet Theatre, and Minnesota Ballet Theatre & School, where she studied extensively under Kirill Bak-Stepanoff, Svetlana Bak-Gavrilova, and internationally recognized guest faculty.
Matilda is a Youth America Grand Prix finalist, receiving Top 12 placement in Classical and Contemporary categories, as well as Top 5 in Small Ensembles and an invitation to the YAGP Finals.
Her performance repertoire includes leading and corps de ballet roles in Giselle, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Napoli, Serenade, Concerto Barocco, Dracula, and numerous classical ballets such as La Bayadère, Paquita, Raymonda, and Esmeralda.
As an emerging artist, Matilda brings a strong stage presence, musicality, and a deep understanding of the transition from student to professional dancer. She is passionate about inspiring young dancers through real-world company experience and disciplined classical training.
Oleg Dedogryuk (Artistic Director & Ballet Master)
Oleg is originally from Russia and brings more than 25 years of professional ballet experience to his students and dancers. He is the Artistic Director of The Annual Nutcracker of Parker, Rehearsal Director of Ballet Ariel, and a teacher at Denver Academy of Ballet.
After graduating from the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, Oleg performed as a Principal Dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet Grigorovich Company, Leningrad Modern Ballet Theater (Eifman Ballet), Moscow Renaissance Ballet, The National Opera and Ballet Theater in Novi Sad (Yugoslavia), City Ballet of San Diego, and as a Soloist with Colorado Ballet.
Throughout his career, he has performed a wide range of classical and contemporary roles and has choreographed and staged numerous full-length ballets. His productions include The Nutcracker of Parker (annual production), Aladdin (2018), La Fille Mal Gardée (2017), Swan Lake (2016), Alice in Wonderland (2014, 2021), Don Quixote (2012), Sleeping Beauty (2010, 2020), and The Snow Queen (2008).