Summer Programming at Montana Ballet Co.

Open Ballet Classes

MBC’s open classes are a wonderful opportunity for students to continue their classical ballet training during summer. All classes are open to continuing Academy students and new students alike. Visit www.montanaballet.org for class descriptions, dates and times.

Cinderella Summer

Montana Ballet Company will present Cinderella on February 17 and 18, 2024 at the Willson Auditorium. And in a few months MBC will provide an enriching learning experience for young dancers: Cinderella Summer.

Children ages 4 to 8 will learn about the creation of this ballet classic and the various elements that come together to craft a full-length ballet production: music, choreography, sets and props, costumes, lighting and more. Cinderella Summer will be held Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. Three sessions will be offered: June 10-13 (ages 4 to 6 / ages 7 to 8 from 1-4 p.m.), June 17-20 (ages 4 to 6) and June 24-27 (ages 4 to 6). Each session offers a daily ballet class, dance-related arts and crafts, storytime, choreography, an in-studio performance and more. No ballet experience is necessary.

Get your child excited for this wonderful summer program by attending Cinderella this month. MBC’s production of Cinderella will enchant the entire family, with comical stepsisters, a magical fairy godmother, an opulent Grand Ball and a true love story. Audiences will revel in exceptional hand-crafted costumes, sets, lighting and theatrical elements.

To register for Cinderella Summer visit www.montanaballet.org, go to Academy and select the session you would like to attend. For Cinderella performance tickets visit www.montanaballet.org and click “purchase tickets.”

Shape-Up for Nutcracker

Prepare for auditions with this fun opportunity to learn MBC’s Nutcracker choreography. Held Monday through Thursday, August 19-22, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (for ages 12 to 18) and 1:30-4:30 p.m. (for ages 9 to 11).

Dancing Under the Big Sky

Montana Ballet Company’s Annual Dancing Under the Big Sky (DUBS) twoweek Summer Dance Intensive is an enriching educational program featuring exceptional guest teachers from across the country and a full curriculum. This year, MBC will welcome guests Lesley Rausch and Samantha Shelton.

DUBS 2024 will be held Monday, July 22 through Saturday, August 3, 2024. Classes will run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with short breaks and a lunch break each day.

The DUBS Intensive provides a full and thoughtful curriculum, exemplifying MBC’s belief in nurturing the “whole dancer,” mind, body and spirit.

Classes may include:

• Ballet Technique

• Pointe and Pre-Pointe

• Variations

• Artistry

• Pirouette and Allegro Classes

• Modern/Contemporary

• Repertory

• Pilates

• Physical Therapy

• Nutrition

• Musicality

• Stage Make-up

• Stretch and Strengthen

• Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Diaphragmatic Breathing

• Managing Performance Anxiety

• A Day in the Life of a Professional Dancer

*Non-MBC students must arrange for an in-person audition class at MBC, or send an audition video, prior to acceptance to the program. Please call 406-582-8702 or email info@montanaballet.org for more information.

Mini DUBS Program

This updated program is a “mini” version of MBC’s Dancing Under the Big Sky (DUBS) and designed specifically for dancers ages 7 to 11 who are ready to commit to an intensive. The new stand-alone schedule will offer students an opportunity to immerse themselves in classes and perform in a final in-studio showing. In addition, Mini DUBS offers dancers who are interested the opportunity to return and perform again in the Sweet Pea Festival held on August 3, 2024.

Mini DUBS will take place July 15-26, 2024, and run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This two-week intensive is a unique opportunity for dancers to explore a variety of dance forms focusing on technique, artistry, musicality, and expression. Along with ballet technique, dancers may study contemporary, character, mime, injury prevention, nutrition and body conditioning.

This program will be led by MBC Faculty and with DUBS guest teachers, Lesley Rausch and Samantha Shelton.