For young dancers imagining a life on stage, the path often begins in the studio: at the barre, in rehearsal and in the disciplined pursuit of artistry. This winter, School of Nashville Ballet will invite aspiring professionals to take that next step with a Nashville-based audition for its 2026 Summer Intensive sessions, including the Company Immersion Intensive. The Summer Intensive Audition Tour concludes in Nashville on January 31, 2026, from 3:30–6 p.m.

The audition offers more than a summer of training. Dancers who participate in the Summer Intensive sessions will be automatically considered for Nashville Ballet’s Second Company (NB2) and select year-round training programs. Auditions are open to dancers ages 12 and up, with registration closing the Wednesday before each audition or when capacity is reached.

Inside the Summer Intensive

At the center of the summer offerings is the Company Immersion Intensive, a selective five-week program recommended for dancers ages 17–22 with pre-professional or professional experience. Designed for dancers approaching the threshold of a career, the program emphasizes advanced technical training, expanded repertoire and performance opportunities that mirror the rhythm of company life.

Led by Nick Mullikin, Artistic Director and CEO of Nashville Ballet, the intensive evolves in its final two weeks into a company-style experience. Dancers take daily classes and rehearsals while working with guest choreographers and Nashville-based musicians, culminating in a live performance at The Martin Center at Nashville Ballet. The result is an immersive glimpse into the pace, pressure and creative demands of professional ballet.

“This is not a workshop, it’s professional-level training with real expectations,” said Dmitri Kulev, incoming Director of Nashville Ballet’s Second Company (NB2) and Head of Men’s Program. “We are preparing dancers for the demands of today’s ballet world. Our goal is for every student to leave stronger, more confident and clearer about their artistic path.”

Audition Details

Pre-registration: $45

Walk-ins: $50

Applicants must submit a resume, headshot and photo in first arabesque.

“We challenge dancers to grow while honoring what makes each artist unique,” said Jennifer Kulev, School of Nashville Director. “These intensives emphasize discipline, discovery and developing the confidence to step into the next phase of training.”

Alongside the audition-based Summer Intensive sessions, School of Nashville Ballet will also offer Junior and Adult Intensives, extending its training philosophy to dancers at different stages of life and experience. No audition is required for these programs.

Junior and Adult Intensives

Junior Intensive is designed for dancers ages 9–13 or those placed by technical level. School of Nashville Ballet students must have completed Academy Level 2 or received a special invitation; outside students must have at least two years of ballet training.

For young dancers, the Junior Intensive offers a concentrated studio experience with Nashville Ballet faculty, combining structure, inspiration and a full-day schedule intended to strengthen technique and deepen artistry.

Classes may include ballet, pre-pointe, repertory, jazz, character and specialized workshops, giving students a broad foundation for their next stage of dance training.

Students will participate in classes from approximately 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Monday–Friday, June 1–5 and June 8–12, for either one or two weeks. Time will be built into the daily schedule for lunch.

Adult Intensive is open to dancers ages 18 and up, with all levels of experience welcome. Designed for the Nashville community, the two-week program invites adult dancers into a lively mix of movement-based classes.

Participants will study classical ballet technique with Nashville Ballet professional company members and faculty while sampling a range of dance-based genres. The intensive offers space to build endurance, refine skill and reconnect with artistry in a warm, welcoming environment.

Adult Intensive classes will be held in the evenings, Monday–Friday, with a ballet technique class followed by a supplementary class. Participants may enroll for one week, both weeks or drop in as their schedule allows.

For Nashville audition details and program information, visit nashvilleballet.com/audition-tour or email intensive@nashvilleballet.com.