Steps on Broadway, NYC’s legendary professional dance center committed to training and maintaining the integrity of the art form, increases its global reach with a first-time national and international audition tour. Led by newly-appointed Student Programs Audition Director Davis Robertson and under the direction of Professional Training Programs Director Mindy Upin Jackson and The School at Steps Director Kate Thomas, a 12-city tour will be underway through early spring. It offers the dedicated dancer various opportunities for study during the summer months and beyond.
Through intensive training, performance and evaluations, these intimate curriculum-based programs—Summer Study NYC: A Contemporary Intensive, Steps Conservatory, and the International Independent Study Program—create polished, versatile dancers brimming with the confidence and enthusiasm to enter the highly competitive world of concert and commercial dance. The audition tour will also be recruiting students for The School at Steps’ Senior Summer Intensive, for aspiring professional dancers ages 15-18.
Elena Kunikova’s ballet class at Steps. Photo by Sofia Negron.
“While we are a home for local dancers to maintain their training, our carefully curated programs utilize the expansive network we have built at Steps, and open our doors to dancers from all over the world throughout the year,” explains Co-Artistic Director Diane Grumet. “These summer programs give dancers an important next step in their training—broadening their home studio or university training with leading choreographers and artists in the dance capital of the world that is New York City.”
Summer Study NYC: A Contemporary Intensive (ages 18 and older) is specifically designed for the dancer preparing for a professional career. This program offers intermediate and advanced dancers one or two 4-week sessions with classes taught by world-renowned contemporary masters as well as by Steps’ illustrious faculty. This intensive is designed to strengthen technique and artistry and provide an introduction to NYC’s professional dance community. Students take 17 classes per week, including technique, Steps with Contemporary Masters, Creative Tools, and Performance Skills. They build relationships with at least nine artistic directors and contemporary choreographers each session. Students from past summers have been hired by companies like Heidi Latsky Dance and Janis Brenner & Dancers, and have freelanced with Francesca Harper. Upon fulfilling program requirements, students receive a Certificate of Completion at their final performance.
The Steps Conservatory (ages 17-24) is a two-year, curriculum-based intensive program specifically designed to strengthen technique and artistry, thus preparing the dancer for a career in either the concert or commercial dance world. Dancers in the Conservatory take 15-18 weekly classes from Steps’ daily schedule as well as private Performance Enrichment workshops, such as vocal training, health and wellness, repertory, composition, dance history, career development, and much more. Over the two years, students build a professional network, thereby positioning themselves for future employment. The program provides an introduction to NYC’s professional dance community, not only through study but also through multiple performance opportunities throughout the four semesters. Upon fulfilling program requirements, students receive a Certificate of Completion.
Donna McKechnie teaching American Dance Machine21 repertory classes at Steps. Photo by Jacob Hiss.
The International Independent Study Program (ages 18-35) is designed so that each participant has the flexibility to create their own class schedule and experience New York City’s dance community in motion. This M-1 visa program is designed for dancers and dance educators at the intermediate to professional level, who want to explore the diversity of techniques and styles Steps has to offer. To date, the program has hosted dancers from Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina, United Kingdom, Spain, Morocco, Hungary, Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Ukraine, Israel, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, India, South Africa, Japan, and Taiwan. Students may join the program for three, six or 12 months.
The School at Steps’ Summer Intensives offer a rigorous multidisciplinary curriculum for the aspiring professional dancer. A minimum of four to five years of significant ballet training is required. Students are placed by audition in either the Junior (ages 9-12) or Senior Intensive (ages 12-18) based on age and ability, each with their own set of core classes and minimum class requirements. Daily classes in ballet and pointe are supplemented with pas de deux, variations, contemporary partnering, repertory, coaching, theater dance, jazz, hip-hop, and Horton-based modern. Each session culminates in a studio performance.
AUDITION SCHEDULE AND INFORMATION:
MEXICO: Escuela Cubana de Ballet de Veracruz, March 13
CHINA: The Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts, March 18
NEW YORK: Steps on Broadway, March 18 and May 13
NEW YORK: The School at Steps, February 25, March 4, March 18, April 8 and May 6
BOSTON: Boston Conservatory at Berklee, April 2
CHICAGO: Lou Conte Dance Studios/Hubbard Street Dance Center, April 22
JACKSONVILLE, FL: Florida Ballet, April 22
FLORIDA: Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, April 23
Dancers in Australia and Italy have already had the chance to audition. For the full audition tour and information, visit www.stepsnyc.com.
Watch a highlight reel of a Steps’ class led by Al Blackstone:
Next, enjoy this look at Svetlana’s experience at Steps Conservatory:
Lastly, here’s a glimpse of the Verdon Fosse Legacy Project at Steps:
Photo (top): Performance Skills Class, as part of Summer Study NYC: A Contemporary Intensive. Photo by Eduardo Patino NYC.
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