Auditions & Introduction to Ballet

Ballet Tech Across New York (BTANY)

Ballet Tech Foundation provides free dance enrichment classes to public elementary schools with its Ballet Tech Across New York (BTANY) program.

In BTANY, Ballet Tech sends a teaching artist team to partnering schools for 1-2 days. The program is tailored to 2nd or 3rd grade students. Each class runs a full period of 40-50 minutes, but can vary depending on the school’s individual bell schedule. The BTANY classes are intended for students of all abilities.

Students who demonstrate a strong aptitude and enthusiasm for dance in the BTANY classes are invited to participate in Ballet Tech’s Introduction to Ballet Program. Please scroll down for further information regarding the Introduction to Ballet Program.

Schools have two BTANY course offerings that they can choose from:

Dance for EveryBODY
The “Dance for EveryBODY” classes introduce students to the dance techniques that are taught at Ballet Tech – ballet, modern dance, or jazz dance – and how these techniques relate to one another and to contemporary dance trends.

BT Ballet Basics
The “BT Ballet Basics” classes introduce students to the basic tenets of ballet technique and how they relate to storytelling. These classes are designed for schools that have a pre-existing dance program or for a school that is looking for something more ballet-centric to offer their students.

Public Elementary School Principals and Administrators:
Are you interested in having your school participate in BTANY? It’s easy to sign up! Call 212-777-7710, ext. 304 or send an email to info@ballettech.org.

Parents/Guardians:
Your child’s elementary school’s participation in BTANY is at the discretion of your principal – so please speak with them if you would like your school to participate. If your elementary school does not participate, then your child can audition directly for Ballet Tech at one of our Open Auditions.

Introduction to Ballet Program

Students who demonstrate a strong aptitude and enthusiasm for dance in Ballet Tech’s BTANY classes are invited to participate in the Introduction to Ballet Program, a 6-week ongoing field trip. The Introduction to Ballet Program has been running for over 4 decades!

As part of this field trip, elementary schools escort their selected students to Ballet Tech one morning each week to study ballet at our studios at 890 Broadway, the Lawrence A. Wien Center for Dance and Theater, a well-known facility in the NYC performing arts community. Classes will be held in our state-of-the-art ballet studios equipped with marley floors, ballet barres, floor to ceiling mirrors, and pianos which provide live accompaniment.

During this mini “intensive,” students further their exploration and study of ballet. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of ballet, including basic steps, ballet vocabulary, class structure, discipline, and appropriate dance attire (which Ballet Tech provides). Students who continue to demonstrate a strong aptitude and enthusiasm for dance throughout this program may be considered as candidates for Ballet Tech’s full-time school.

Participating schools: the Introduction to Ballet Program is a field trip. Your school must follow all NYC field trip protocols in order to participate.

Open Auditions 2023-24

Ballet Tech holds open auditions throughout the school year. If your child’s elementary school does not participate in BTANY, but you would like your child to audition for Ballet Tech’s 4th grade, you may register your child for one of the open auditions listed below. Please note, your child must be currently enrolled in the 3rd grade to register.

If you are interested in auditioning for Ballet Tech’s middle school, please scroll down for further information.

Previous dance experience is not required for students who are applying to Ballet Tech’s Elementary School. Students must be residents of New York City in order to attend Ballet Tech.

Please review the audition dates below:

Thursday, January 11, 2024 @ 4:30pm
For students currently enrolled in 3rd grade.
Click HERE to register for the JANUARY audition.

Saturday, March 16, 2024 @ 12:00pm
For students currently enrolled in 3rd grade.
Click HERE to register for the MARCH audition.

Audition Location
Ballet Tech
890 Broadway, 8th Floor
New York, NY

Time
We recommend that you arrive 15-30 minutes prior to the start of your audition. Please be on time — latecomers will not be admitted. Each audition lasts approximately 45 – 60 minutes.

Attire
If your child has dancewear (leotard, tights, and ballet slippers) they should wear it to the audition. Otherwise, please have your child wear form-fitting clothing (tank tops, leggings, shorts etc). Hair should be secured up and away from the face.

The Audition
The audition will be in the form of a beginner ballet class. Students do not need to prepare anything for the audition.

HOW TO REGISTER
Please click on the link accompanying the audition dates listed above. We are requiring that each child be accompanied by only ONE ADULT.

If you have any questions please email us at info@ballettech.org.

I honestly feel that I owe everything I am and everything I have to Ballet Tech. This program gives children an opportunity to study classical ballet and possibly make a career out of it, which I did.

Jacquelyn Scafidi Allsopp

Teacher, Dancer, Choreographer

Ballet Tech was a new beginning for me, a stepping stone to my dance career. It molded me into the dancer I am today. BT taught me discipline, responsibility, leadership, and influenced my character at a very young age.

Nickemil Concepcion

Dancer, Cedar Lake Dance Company

Ballet Tech offered me an extremely rare opportunity that others only dream about. The foundation of my young brain was strengthened and grew immensely in a way that conventional learning would never allow.

Peter Cirolia

Design and Marketing Degree, Katherine Gibbs School; Kinesiology Degree, International Sports Sciences Association; Teacher, Personal Trainer, Former Dancer

Ballet Tech taught me discipline, hard work and how to move my body through space with intent. I still rely on those lessons learned in my work every day as an architect, although instead of moving through space with intent, I create it.

Jesse Walton

B.Arch, Rhode Island School of Design, 2001; Project Architect, Mahlum Architects

I don’t believe there are any words to describe how much Ballet Tech means to me. It was there where I began my dance career. My Ballet Tech teachers gave me the intangible gifts of love, support, ballet technique, and artistry, which I continue to cherish to this day.

Raven Barkley

SUNY Purchase, BFA in Dance; Professional Dancer, Charlotte Ballet

Ballet Tech was a place of discovery and growth. I was introduced to the importance of professionalism at a young age, and I learned a great deal of what it meant to be a dancer in daily ballet classes and rehearsals.

Lucy Postell

Dancer, Martha Graham Dance Company

Auditioning for Middle School

Ballet Tech has an audition-based application process that is open to all New York City residents.

Please keep in mind that there is limited seat availability for new students at the 6th grade level. Ballet Tech has students enrolled in grades 4 – 8; priority for the 6th grade is given to continuing Ballet Tech students, then to new applicants.

BALLET TECH MIDDLE SCHOOL AUDITIONS, 2024-25

All applicants to Ballet Tech must complete and submit an audition video.

Applicants must learn and perform a pre-recorded series of dance steps. The video will be used to assess the following criteria: physicality, coordination, creative expression, and familiarity with ballet technique. The video then needs to be uploaded into the applicant’s MySchools account.

Click here to view the pre-recorded instructional video and the recording instructions.

Call Backs
Ballet Tech may ask applicants to come in for an in-person call-back audition.