NYC Ballet Summer Intensive FAQ (2025)

Classes are offered Monday - Friday. Dancers can register for one to seven weeks. Students who register to participate in the performance on Friday July 18, 2025 must attend the last three weeks (June 30 - July 18) of the intensive.

JBS will hold regularly scheduled classes on July 4th for this intensive.

Will there be a program orientation?

There will be a virtual orientation for students and parents as well as an in person orientation on the first day of classes.

Virtual Orientation	Wednesday, May 28 at 7:00 pm EST ZOOM Link ZOOM ID: 841 9201 7177 ZOOM Password: NYCBALLET	Only for students attending between June 2 to June 27. Parents are welcome to attend.
Program Orientation (14 and older)	Monday, June 2 at 9:00 am At the studio	Only for students starting on Monday June 2. No parents.
Program Orientation (13 and younger)	Monday, June 2 at 9:30 am At the studio	Only for students starting on Monday June 2. No parents.
Program Orientation (14 and older)	Monday, June 9 at 9:00 am At the studio	Only for students starting on Monday June 9. No parents.
Program Orientation (13 and younger)	Monday, June 9 at 9:30 am At the studio	Only for students starting on Monday June 9. No parents.
Program Orientation (14 and older)	Monday, June 16 at 9:00 am At the studio	Only for students starting on Monday June 16. No parents.
Program Orientation (13 and younger)	Monday, June 16 at 9:30 am At the studio	Only for students starting on Monday June 16. No parents.
Program Orientation (14 and older)	Monday, June 23 at 9:00 am At the studio	Only for students starting on Monday June 23. No parents.
Program Orientation (13 and younger)	Monday, June 23 at 9:30 am At the studio	Only for students starting on Monday June 23. No parents.
Virtual Orientation	Wednesday, June 25th at 7:00 pm EST ZOOM Link ZOOM ID: 849 6589 3479 ZOOM Password: NYCBALLET	Only for students attending between June 30 - July 18. Parents are welcome to attend.
Program Orientation (14 and older)	Monday, June 30 at 9:00 am At the studio	Only for students starting on Monday June 30. No parents.
Program Orientation (13 and younger)	Monday, June 30 at 9:30 am At the studio	Only for students starting on Monday June 30. No parents.
Program Orientation (14 and older)	Monday, July 07 at 9:00 am At the studio	Only for students starting on Monday July 7. No parents.
Program Orientation (13 and younger)	Monday, July 07 at 9:30 am At the studio	Only for students starting on Monday July 7. No parents.
Program Orientation (14 and older)	Monday, July 14 at 9:00 am At the studio	Only for students starting on Monday July 14. No parents.
Program Orientation (13 and younger)	Monday, July 14 at 9:30 am At the studio	Only for students starting on Monday July 14. No parents.

When will I receive my group assignment and schedule?

Schedules and group assignments will be posted on the website and emailed no later than Monday May 26, 2025.

Students who register to participate in the performance on Friday July 18, 2025 must attend the last three weeks (June 30 - July 18) of the intensive.

Is there a dress code and packing list for classes?

Joffrey Ballet School is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all students. Gender nonconforming students, students with religious and cultural considerations and any student needing additional support is welcome to contact us to discuss the dress code. Please contact our Customer Support department with any dress code questions and/or concerns.

Dress Code for dancers ages 8 - 14

Ballet:

Option 1: Black leotard (no halters), short wrap around or pull on ballet skirt, skin tone or light pink convertible tights, and skin tone or pink ballet slippers. Skin tone or pink pointe shoes, if applicable. Ballet skirts can only be worn for pre-pointe, pointe, and variations class. Dancers must secure their hair in a bun with a hair net. (Female Identifying)
Option 2: Black tights, black or white t-shirt, black or white socks, and matching black or white ballet shoes. Flesh or black dance belt. Dancers with hair longer than their collar should secure their hair in a ponytail. (Male Identifying)

Other classes:

Option 1: Black dance shorts or pants with a black fitted shirt, black character skirt (knee or calf length), black hard soled 1.5-2” heel Character shoes, hand fan, Jazz shoes. Dancers must secure their hair in a bun with a hair net. (Female Identifying)
Option 2: Black dance shorts or pants with a fitted shirt, hard soled Character shoes, and jazz shoes. Dancers with hair longer than their collar should secure their hair in a ponytail. (Male Identifying)

Performance (performance track students only):

Option 1: Skin tone and black camisole leotards, new skin tone or light pink convertible tights, black footless tights, clean skin tone or pink ballet and pointe shoes, black jazz shoes, hair gel, hair spray, bobby and hair pins, hair nets. Other clothing items for the performance to be announced in June. (Female Identifying)
Option 2: Black tights, black athletic slacks, black or white t-shirt, black or white socks, and matching black or white ballet shoes, and black jazz shoes. Flesh or black dance belt. Other clothing items for the performance to be announced in June. (Male Identifying)

Dress Code for dancers ages 14 - 25

Ballet:

Option 1: Black leotard, skin tone or light pink tights (under the leotard and covering legs and feet completely), skin tone or pink ballet slippers and pointe shoes. Warm up clothes must be removed before class starts. Dancers must secure their hair in a bun with a hair net. On Fridays, dancers may wear a colored leotard of their choosing. (Female Identifying)
Option 2: Black tights, black or white t-shirt with black or white socks, and black or white ballet shoes. Flesh or black dance belt. Dancers with hair longer than their collar should secure their hair in a ponytail. On Fridays, dancers may wear a colored t-shirt of their choosing. (Male Identifying)

Pointe/Variations: skirts may be worn.
Other classes:

Option 1: Dance shorts or pants with a fitted T-shirt with either socks, or jazz slip on shoes.
Option 2: Dance shorts or pants, and fitted shirt with either ballet slippers, socks, or, jazz slip on shoes.

Performance (performance track students only):

Option 1: Skin tone and black camisole leotards, new light pink or skin tone tights, clean skin toned ballet and pointe shoes, hair gel, hair spray, bobby and hair pins, hair nets. (Female Identifying)
Option 2: Black tights, black or white t-shirt with black or white socks, and black or white ballet shoes. Flesh or black dance belt. (Male Identifying)

Requirements for all dancers:

A water bottle.
Beach towel or optional yoga mat.
No jewelry of any kind may be worn in class.

Will there be a performance?

The Joffrey Ballet School invites all families and guests to join us in celebrating the hard work and dedication of our students as they showcase their growth in a culminating theater performance.

Friday July 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM and 7:00 PM

Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space

2537 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

More information about the performance and tickets will be announced closer to the intensive.

Students participating in the performance must attend the final three weeks of the intensive (June 30 – July 18, 2025).

Where are the studios located?

There are three studio locations for our NYC Ballet intensive classes:

Joffrey Ballet School - Manhattan 434 Ave of the Americas, New York, NY 10011
Joffrey Ballet School - Long Island City 47-10 Austell Place, Long Island City, NY 11101
Pearl Studios 500 8th Ave, New York, NY 10018

Studio assignments are not finalized until just prior to the intensive start date. We are unable to take requests for specific studio assignments.

There is one theater for our NYC Ballet intensive performance:

Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space 2537 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

HOUSING STUDENTS

Dancers staying in Joffrey housing have access to staff to guide them to/from classes each day from our housing locations.
Housing students participating in the final performance will be chaperoned by staff to and from the theater during the last week of the intensive, to attend dress and tech rehearsals as well as the performances.
Students will travel using the subway/public transportation.

COMMUTER STUDENTS:

Commuter students are unfortunately not able to join the chaperoned groups to/and from the dorms.
Students participating in the final performance will have to attend dress and tech rehearsals as well as the performances at the theater during the day and evenings throughout the final week.
Commuter students are welcome to join chaperoned trips from the studios to the theater during the final week.

MTA MAP

If a dancer is assigned to Joffrey Ballet School - Manhattan, you will need access to the A, C, or E (Blue) B, D, F, or M (Orange) subway lines. Nearest stop: West 4 Street/Washington Square station.
If a dancer is assigned to Joffrey Ballet School - Long Island City, you will need access to the 7 (Purple) Express subway line. Nearest stop: Hunter’s Point Avenue station.
If a dancer is assigned to Pearl Studios, you will need access to the A, C, or E (Blue) subway lines. Nearest stop: 34 St/Penn Station.

What does a daily schedule look like?

Start Time: 9:00 am - 9:45 am

Ending Time: 4:15 pm - 5:30 pm

Classes are held Monday - Friday only.

Schedules for our intensives are made available on Monday May 26, 2025. Schedules are posted on the Joffrey website. Schedules can be viewed online, and will also be posted on the Band group. JBS will hold regularly scheduled classes on July 4th for all intensives occurring at that time.

Are guardians allowed to watch class?

No parents, guardians or visitors are allowed to be in the building during intensive hours. Dancers 13 & under must be picked up from the 3rd Floor lobby at JBS and 3rd Floor lobby at Pearl. Dancers 13 & under will not be dismissed unless an adult is present.

Do I need a physical to attend a summer intensive?

A completed physical or physician’s note from within the last 12 months is required and should be completed before a dancer begins their selected intensive. If you have a completed physical examination for your dancer from within the last calendar year, you can substitute it in place of the Doctor’s note. The letter must state that the dancer is healthy and physically able to participate in the summer program. This form will be submitted at the student’s program orientation. A complete physical is not necessary. Sample Doctor’s Note

Are students allowed to leave the studio in between classes?

Students 13 and younger are not allowed to leave a Joffrey Ballet School building without a staff member.
Students 14 and older are allowed to leave the building during lunch breaks, but must travel with other students who are also 14 and older.
Students 13 and younger will not be allowed to leave the building with students 14 and older.
Parents are welcome to drop off meals for their students at the studio.
There will be no chaperoned trips during lunch breaks to/from the studios. Students are encouraged to pack a lunch and snacks if they are not on the meal plan or lunch plan.
Microwaves are available at JBS Manhattan, LIC, and Pearl Studios. A refrigerator is only available at LIC. A cooler bag is suggested for any perishable items.
Due to severe food allergies, dancers are not permitted to bring any nut products to the studios

NYC STUDIO LUNCH PLAN (Lunch only)

Joffrey Ballet School offers an optional studio lunch plan for housing and commuter students. We are very excited to announce Butter Beans Kitchen as the new vendor for the optional lunch plan in New York City. Lunch will be delivered to the studios Monday - Friday. Please note that housing students who signed up for the housing meal plan at the dorm will only receive breakfast and dinner. Students must sign up for the studio lunch plan at least 2 weeks before their arrival.

Due to severe food allergies, dancers are not permitted to pack anything with nuts in their lunch.

The sample menu below displays examples of food items that you can expect to be served for the studio lunch plan. Students are able to note dietary restrictions when registering for the summer and meals will be adjusted accordingly. We do not recommend the studio lunch plan for students who have severe dietary restrictions or very specific food preferences. If the vendor is not able to accommodate a specific request in advance of you joining the program, Joffrey will let you know and you will have the option to cancel your studio lunch plan and receive a refund. This does not include students who update their preferences after they have arrived. Students will not be able to cancel the studio lunch plan after they have arrived and started the program.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SAMPLE MENU

Does Joffrey offer housing and a housing meal plan for this intensive?

CLICK HERE for the housing FAQ which includes the location of the dorms, the meal plan, check-in times, roommate policies, advice on what to bring, and much more.

Joffrey Ballet School offers housing and an optional meal plan for all NYC intensives. Please note that housing students who signed up for the housing meal plan at the dorm will only receive brunch and dinner. If students would like to request lunch, they need to sign up for the studio lunch plan as well.

Where can I find lodging recommendations?

If you are looking for alternate lodging, we recommend searching for hotels in the Midtown area in Manhattan, extending from 34th Street to 59th Street and from 3rd Avenue to 8th Avenue. Additionally we recommend finding housing close to a subway station, especially the B, D, F, or M (Orange) subway lines. The Midtown area is a great location to have easy access to all three studio locations, the theater, and NYC activities.

Midtown Manhattan is home to iconic attractions like Times Square, Broadway, and the Museum of Modern Art, and architectural landmarks including the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal, the Flatiron Building, and the Empire State Building.

Due to the competitive nature of hotels in NYC, Joffrey is not able to recommend specific hotels. Students and parents are welcome to reach out to Customer Support to confirm if a hotel is in the Midtown area and close to a subway station.

Does Joffrey offer extra activities in NYC?

Joffrey offers three types of activities during the summer intensives in New York City:

Ticketed Extra Activities for students and guests
Free Dorm Extra Activities for students staying at the residence halls
Musical Theater Intensive Activities for students attending the Musical Theater Intensive

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS AND TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT NYC ACTIVITIES

Who will be supervising my dancer at the studio?

The Administrative team consists of Summer Coordinators, Managers, and a group of Administrative Assistants who work with the Director of Operations and Artistic Directors at the studios. The team facilitates daily operations and handles crises or emergencies should they arise.

All of our summer interns take part in a robust selection process that includes a formal application, one-on-one interviews, group evaluations, and background checks. Most of our interns are currently attending university or have graduated. All candidates must have a dance background or share an appreciation for performing arts.

Please note that Joffrey Ballet School policies, protocol and procedures are subject to change.