MNCDA 2nd Annual Summer Intensive – June 22–26, 2026

The Minnesota Classical Dance Academy (MNCDA) is committed to providing accessible, inclusive, and high-quality ballet education for dancers across ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. The 2nd Annual MNCDA Summer Intensive, taking place June 22–June 26, 2026, is designed to foster technical growth, artistic development, and community connection through structured classical ballet training in a supportive and respectful environment.

The 2026 Summer Intensive will offer age-appropriate and developmentally informed classes for the following groups: ages 3–5, ages 6–10, ages 11–13, ages 14–18, and adults ages 18 and up. To ensure appropriate pacing and individualized learning, two levels will be offered for the 11–13, 14–18, and 18+ age groups, consisting of Beginning and Intermediate/Advanced tracks.

Class lengths are structured to meet the physical and cognitive needs of each age group. Dancers ages 3–5 will participate in 45-minute classes, dancers ages 6–10 will attend 1 hour and 15 minute classes, and all other age groups will receive 1 hour and 45 minute classes per session. This structure allows for focused technique work while supporting stamina, attention, and safe movement practices.

In alignment with MNCDA’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, the intensive will include an additional daily class option specifically for female-only dancers. This class is intended to support students who, for religious, cultural, or personal reasons, may require gender-separated instruction. This offering is designed to provide a respectful, affirming space without restricting access to any existing classes; all standard intensive classes remain open to all dancers of all genders or identities.

The final day of the intensive, Friday - June 26th, will be dedicated to group rehearsals and performance preparation. On this day, regular technique classes will be suspended in favor of a warm-up class followed by a full dress rehearsal, allowing dancers to synthesize the week’s training, practice professionalism, and experience collaborative performance processes.

Performance Galas

The June 2026 MNCDA 2nd Annual Summer Intensive will conclude with two performance galas designed to provide dancers with meaningful stage experience in an age- and level-appropriate setting. These galas offer students the opportunity to apply the technical and artistic skills developed throughout the week in a professional performance environment.

A 5:00 PM performance gala will feature all beginning-level dancers, including youth and adult participants enrolled in beginning-level classes. This gala is structured to support newer dancers by offering a supportive, accessible performance experience that emphasizes confidence, musicality, and ensemble work.

A 7:30 PM performance gala will feature intermediate and advanced dancers from the youth and adult divisions. This performance will highlight more complex choreography and technical material developed during the intensive, allowing experienced dancers to demonstrate artistry, collaboration, and performance readiness.

Both galas are intended to celebrate the dancers’ progress, foster community engagement, and reinforce MNCDA’s commitment to thoughtful pedagogy and inclusive performance opportunities.

The 2026 MNCDA Summer Intensive is funded by the Sands Fellowship through the University of Minnesota, supporting MNCDA’s mission to expand equitable access to classical dance education and to explore inclusive pedagogical models within studio-based training environments. This funding allows the intensive to prioritize community engagement, thoughtful curriculum design, and inclusive programming that reflects the diverse needs of today’s dancers.

Through this intensive, MNCDA aims to cultivate disciplined technique, artistic confidence, and a strong sense of belonging—ensuring that every dancer, regardless of age, experience, or background, has the opportunity to grow within a welcoming classical ballet environment.

Tentative Daily Schedule

(Monday–Thursday: Technique & Curriculum Classes)

Ages 3–5
9:00 – 9:45 AM
• Creative Movement & Introductory Ballet (45 minutes)

Ages 6–10
10:00 – 11:15 AM
• Beginning Ballet Technique (1 hour 15 minutes)

Ages 11–13
11:30 AM – 1:15 PM (1 hour 45 minutes total)
• 1 hour 10 minutes of Ballet Technique
• 5-minute break
• 30 minutes of Contemporary and/or Choreography Rehearsal
(Beginning or Intermediate/Advanced level)

Lunch / Break
1:15 – 2:00 PM

Ages 14–18
2:00 – 3:45 PM (1 hour 45 minutes total)
• 1 hour 10 minutes of Ballet Technique
• 5-minute break
• 30 minutes of Contemporary and/or Choreography Rehearsal
(Beginning or Intermediate/Advanced level)

Adult (18+)
4:00 – 5:45 PM (1 hour 45 minutes total)
• 1 hour 10 minutes of Ballet Technique
• 5-minute break
• 30 minutes of Contemporary and/or Choreography Rehearsal
(Beginning or Intermediate/Advanced level)

Female-Only Class Option
6:00 – 7:00 PM (or as scheduled)
• Female-only ballet class designed for dancers who require gender-separated instruction for personal, cultural, or religious reasons.
(This class is offered in addition to, not in place of, standard intensive classes.)

Friday Schedule – Group Rehearsals & Dress Rehearsal

All Age Groups
• Warm-Up Class (time staggered by age group)
• Group Rehearsals
• Full Dress Rehearsal

Summer Intensive Registration

Please fill out a new registration form for each dancer you wish to register.