Spring Gala 2026, May 9

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MBS Summer Intensive 2026

 Summer Intensive – professional ballet training in Eden Prairie with Vaganova Academy graduates.

Program Information

Experience the Minnesota Ballet School Summer Intensive Program, offering extensive training in Russian classical ballet technique (Vaganova syllabus) and skill development. Our Intensive Camp places a strong emphasis on ballet technique while incorporating supplementary classes in character, pointe, variations, modern, men’s, partnering, and aerial ballet. Program will feature world-renowned guest teachers alongside our exceptional MBS faculty throughout the intensive.


2-Week Summer Intensive Camps 

Open for male and female students ages 9+  

Camp 1: June 15– June 26, 2026  |  Camp 2: July 6-17, 2026

9am-1pm 

Ballet technique, Pointe technique & Repertoire. Dancers will learn variations from classical ballets such as “Sleeping Beauty” “Giselle”, “Corsair” and many more. 

2pm-4pm  Students will be continuing classes such as Contemporary and Aerial Ballet, Character dance and Partnering.

Partnering classes will be available depending on the number of male attendees.


WORLD-RENOWNED FACULTY


The program culminates with a showing in the Minnesota Ballet School studio on Friday, June 26 and July 17.


The Final Summer Intensive Placement Audition will take place on May 17, offering dancers ages 9+ the last in-person opportunity to be considered for Summer Intensive 2026. Placement is based on level and availability.

Register for Intensive

Summer Intensive Video Audition

If you are unable to attend the in-person audition, we encourage you to submit a video audition. While we highly recommend attending in person to experience our program firsthand, we are happy to review video submissions for those who cannot join us on that date. Please carefully follow the guidelines below to ensure your submission is complete.

SUBMIT VIDEO AUDITION FORM

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.

SUBMIT VIDEO AUDITION APPLICATION

Example of ballet exercises for Video Audition

1. At the barre. 

a. Pliés –Tendu, Dégagé 

b. Fondu, Développé (front, side, back) 

c. Grand Battements

2. In the center. 

a. Adagio combination 

b. Pirouettes (en dehors, en dedans) 

c. Two combinations using assemblé, jeté, sissonne

3. Diagonal across the floor

a. Grand jeté

4. For girls for advances level (en pointe)

a. Echappé combination with passé 

b. Pirouette combination 

c. Fouettés (16 if possible) 

d. Piqué turns

5. For Boys 

a. Entrechat Six (16 bars) 

b. Single or double tour en l’air 

c. Grand pirouettes à la seconde (for advanced boys) 

d. Jump combination with échappés, assemblés and jetés and sissonnes (with beats, if possible)Variation is NOT required.

Video Audition Registration

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).

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at minnesotaballetschool@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Pre-registration is required. The fee for online pre-registration is $45 for a 1.5-hour session (ages 9-18).


For prospective students with birthdays before the start of the summer intensives, they should attend the audition class corresponding to their age as of the audition date. If the student has already celebrated their birthday, they would audition for the age group they will belong to once the summer program begins.


For in-person auditions, non-MBS students are required to provide one informal headshot. The photo should have a clear background, and for female participants, hair should be styled in a classic ballet manner. Additionally, a photograph demonstrating the first arabesque on pointe or demi-pointe in the center is also necessary.


Group 1: age 9-12 (one year ballet experience required) 

Group 2: age 13+ (two years pointe experience required)


Dancers have the option to participate in an in-person audition or submit a video audition, both providing equal consideration for the 2026 Summer Intensives.


Upon receiving your Audition Registration or Video Audition, MBS will send you an automatic confirmation email.


The audition will consist of a ballet class, beginning with barre exercises and progressing to center work. The last thirty minutes will be dedicated to men's jumps and pointe work. Please be aware that Young Dancer auditions will not include pointe work. Registration will open half an hour before the audition begins.


Certainly. All participants, regardless of gender, are expected to adhere to the dress code during the audition.

  • Female Participants:
    • Wear a solid-color leotard.
    • Put on full-length tights in pink or a color closest to natural skin tone.
    • Bring ballet slippers and, if applicable, pointe shoes for the last twenty minutes of class.


  • Male Participants:
    • Wear white T-shirts.
    • Opt for black full-length tights.
    • Wear ballet slippers.

Please ensure your attire aligns with the specified guidelines for a smooth audition experience.


Dancers will be assessed on classical ballet proficiency, emphasizing adagio, jumps, turns, and pointe work for females. Evaluation includes technical precision, retention of combinations, stamina, musicality, work ethic, attitude, and growth potential.


You can submit a video audition following the guidelines and sample combinations available on our website. Submissions are open until June 1, 2026, based on program availability.


Audition results will be emailed to the primary email address provided within 3-5 business days after the audition date. If you do not receive your results within two weeks, please contact us at minnesotaballetschool@gmail.com.


Results for video auditions will be sent via email within 3-5 business days after the submission date. If you do not receive your results within two weeks, please contact the Summer Intensive staff at minnesotaballetschool@gmail.com.


You can make tuition payments according to the schedule outlined on the Audition Information page of the MBS website. Secure online tuition payments are accepted using major credit cards through the online portal.  Details regarding payment procedures will be emailed to accepted students. Save $250 with promo code SUMMER250 at checkout.
(This promotion cannot be combined with the 50% tuition discount for boys.)

Boys automatically receive a 50% tuition discount, which cannot be combined with the Early Bird offer.


The daily schedule for the MBS Summer Intensive is outlined below:

  • Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday
  • First Day: Placement class to determine student levels
  • Daily Classes (9:00 am-1:00 pm):
    • Ballet technique
    • Pointe
    • Variation
  • Lunch Time (1:00 pm-2:00 pm)
  • Afternoon Classes (2:00 pm-4:00 pm):
    • Aerial Ballet
    • Contemporary
    • Character dance
    • Partnering


In order to receive the full benefit of the intensive summer training, everyone must attend the program in its entirety. 


The number of pointe shoes required for the Summer Intensive varies based on the strength of the dancer's feet, the brand of the shoe, and the prevailing humidity. As dancers will be on pointe every day, it is advisable for each dancer to bring approximately one pair of shoes per two weeks. To enhance the longevity of pointe shoes, dancers are encouraged to take proper care and use hardeners when necessary.


Our program is set to deliver a unique blend of expertise with world-renowned guest teachers joining our exceptional MBS faculty throughout the intensive. Classes will be led by the dedicated MBS Summer Intensive faculty, alongside our esteemed MBS Artistic Staff, and the expertise of Misha Tchoupakov—YAGP Finals Rehearsal Director, Judge, Master Teacher, and global guest instructor. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and artistry to enrich the learning experience for all participants.


Need More Info?

CONTACT US DIRECTLY FOR MORE INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS.

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Minnesota Ballet School

14675 Martin Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344, United States

612.501.9208

Copyright © 2025 Minnesota Ballet School. All Rights Reserved.

Spring Gala 2026

The Best of Classics

Celebrate 25 Years of Minnesota Ballet Theatre & School with an unforgettable evening of classical ballet, original choreography, and performances by our students of all levels. Join us as we honor tradition, artistry, and the next generation of dancers.

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