Summer Dance Intensives

Summer dance intensives are a wonderful training opportunity for aspiring dancers. Students are provided an opportunity to grow and learn under the tutelage of expert faculty in the art form. While dance intensives are held all over the United States (and the world for that matter), Bozeman’s Montana Ballet Company (MBC) is home to three: Dancing Under the Big Sky, Mini-Dancing Under the Big Sky and, new this year, the Inaugural Adult Intensive. Over the years MBC has welcomed dancers who travel from across the country to further their training at the MBC.

Dancing Under the Big Sky

MBC’s Annual Dancing Under the Big Sky (DUBS) two-week summer dance intensive is an enriching educational program featuring exceptional guest teachers and a holistic curriculum. MBC is delighted to welcome Lesley Rausch, Samantha Shelton and Rebecca Berke for the 2023 intensive.

Ms. Rausch is currently a principal dancer at the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Ms. Shelton is a classical ballet faculty member with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) and has taught at ABT Summer Intensives for the past 20 years. Ms. Berke is an expert instructor of character dance and teaches master classes, dance history and mindfulness for dancers.

• DUBS 2023 will be held Monday, July 24 through Saturday, August 5. Classes will run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with short breaks and a lunch hour each day.

Offerings may include ballet technique, pointe and pre-pointe, variations, contemporary and character dance, Pilates, physical therapy and nutrition. This well-rounded curriculum exemplifies MBC’s belief in nurturing the “whole dancer,” mind, body and spirit.

DUBS will conclude with a performance at the 46th Annual Sweet Pea Festival on Saturday, August 5.

New ~ Mini-DUBS Standalone Program

This updated program is a mini version of MBC’s DUBS and designed specifically for dancers ages 7 to 10 who are ready to commit to a dance intensive. The new stand-alone schedule will offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in classes and perform in a final in-studio showing. In addition, interested dancers are offered the opportunity to perform again at the Sweet Pea Festival.

• Mini DUBS will take place June 1223, 2023, 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 have classes in modern, character, mime, injury prevention, nutrition and body conditioning.

MBC’s own faculty including Academy Director Melissa Bowman, teachers Richard Bowman, Karen Smith and others will serve as primary instructors.

MBC’s Inaugural Adult Intensive

This new program is designed for the adult dancer who wishes to immerse themselves in the art and discipline of dance. Each day is specifically designed to help optimize training and take technique to the next level.

Similar to MBC’s other intensives, classes may include ballet technique, contemporary, body conditioning, Pilates, yoga and repertoire. Interested dancers participating in the full week program will have a performance opportunity at the conclusion of the intensive.

The Adult Intensive offers two attendance options:

• June 26 through July 1, Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 1.

• June 29 through July 1, Thursday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 1.

For more information on MBC’s Intensives, please email mbowman@montanaballet.org or call 406-582-8702. To register visit www.montanaballet.org/academy/summerprograms.