Professional Training Programs

If you are looking to launch right into a serious career as a professional dancer right after high school (or even during high school), then you may consider opting out of the college route and heading straight for a professional training program. Below, we have listed some of the top training programs in the country. Know that admission is not easily gained to these programs, and they are highly competitive.

 

Why attend a training program instead of college? Training programs get right to the heart of the matter – if you want to dance professionally and don’t have any interest in pursuing a degree, this lets you focus 100% of your energy on honing your technical dance abilities and performance quality. There is no college credit or degree awarded – but these programs are the most rigorous and high-quality dance training out there.

  • The Ailey School

Program: 3-Year Training

Location: New York City, New York

Website: http://www.theaileyschool.edu/ailey-school/professional-division/programs/certificate-program

  • Alonzo King LINES Ballet

Program: 2-Year Training

Location: San Francisco, California

Website: http://training.linesballet.org/about/

  • Boston Ballet

Program: 2-Year Training

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Website: http://www.bostonballet.org/school/professional/trainee.html

  • Broadway Dance Center

Program: 4-Month Training (one semester)

Location: New York City, New York

Website: https://broadwaydancecenter.com/training/pro_semester/index.shtml

  • Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet

Program: By the Month

Location: Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Website: http://www.cpyb.org/school/academic-program/pre-professional

  • Dance Theatre of Harlem

Program: 32-Week Training

Location: New York City, New York

Website: http://www.dancetheatreofharlem.org/school/professional-training

  • The José Limón Dance Foundation

Program: 9-Month Training

Location: New York City, New York

Website: https://limon.org/training/professional-studies-program/

  • Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance

Program: 2-Year Training

Location: New York City, New York

Website: http://marthagraham.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/PTP-Description-2012-with-fees.pdf

  • Peridance Capezio Center 

Program: 2-Year Training

Location: New York City, New York

Website: http://www.peridance.com/certificate-program.cfm

  • Point Park University

Program: By Semester

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Website: http://www.pointpark.edu/Academics/Schools/COPA/COPADeptsMajors/Dance/PreprofessionalDanceProgram

  • Richmond Ballet

Program: 1-Year Training

Location: Richmond, Virginia

Website: http://www.richmondballet.com/school/classes/trainees/

*Must attend summer program to be considered for this program*

  • Steps on Broadway

Program: 2-Year Training

Location: New York City, New York

Website: http://www.stepsnyc.com/professional-training-programs/