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, Intermediate, and Advanced tracks.
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 (All Levels)
9:00 – 9:45 AM
• Creative Movement & Introductory Ballet
Ages 6–10
Beginning / Intermediate Levels
9:00 – 10: 15 AM (1 hour 15 minutes total)
• Ballet Technique
• Short break
• Contemporary and/or Choreography Rehearsal
Advanced Level
9:45 – 11:15 AM (1 hour 30 minutes total)
• Full Ballet Technique including complete barre and center work
• Break
• Contemporary and/or Choreography Rehearsal
Ages 11–13
Beginning / Intermediate Levels
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (1 hour 30 minutes total)
• Ballet Technique
• Short break
• Contemporary and/or Choreography Rehearsal
Advanced Level
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM (2 hours total)
• Full Ballet Technique including complete barre and center work
• Break
• Contemporary and/or Choreography Rehearsal
Ages 14–18
Beginning / Intermediate Levels
1:30 – 3:00 PM (1 hour 30 minutes total)
• Ballet Technique
• Short break
• Contemporary and/or Choreography Rehearsal
Advanced Level
2:00 – 4:00 PM (2 hours total)
• Full Ballet Technique including complete barre and center work
• Break
• Contemporary and/or Choreography Rehearsal
Adult (18+)
Beginning / Intermediate Levels
4:00 – 5:30 PM (1 hour 30 minutes total)
• Ballet Technique
• Short break
• Contemporary and/or Choreography Rehearsal
Advanced Level
5:00 – 6:30 (1 hour 30 minutes total)
• Full Ballet Technique including complete barre and center work
• Break
• Contemporary and/or Choreography Rehearsal
Additional Evening Class
Female-Only Ballet Class (18+)
6:30 – 8:00 PM (1 hour 30 minutes)
This class is designed to welcome students who, for religious reasons or personal comfort, prefer a women-only dance environment. Our goal is to provide a respectful, supportive space where dancers can fully engage in ballet training.
All other MNCDA classes remain open to all students. This additional offering does not restrict access to existing classes and is simply intended to expand access and inclusion.
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.