Trainee Program
Our Trainee program is nationally recognized. We annually select students from our Summer Intensive audition tour as well as video auditions to participate in the Trainee Program.
Our Trainee program is nationally recognized. We annually select students from our Summer Intensive audition tour as well as video auditions to participate in the Trainee Program.
Trainees receive a full course of dance study, which includes ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, character dance, pas de deux, rep and variations. Trainees also take part in lectures about nutrition, anatomy, marketing and other aspects of ballet company administration.
There are 2 levels of trainees as well as a boys training program.
Our typical schedule is similar to below
Ballet Technique 1 hr 30 min-1 hr 45 min daily (Mon-Sat)
Male Ballet/Variations 1 hr daily (M-F)
Pointe/Variations/Rep 1 hr daily (M-F)
Pas de Deux 1 hr per week
Jazz 1 hr 30 min per week
Modern/Comp 4 hours per week
Pilates 1 hour per week
Misc other styles
Trainees typically train 6 days and approximately 30 hours a week.
All trainees have the opportunity to be observed for selection by BalletMet Artistic Staff to perform with the BalletMet professional company as well as the second company. Last year our trainees performed in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote and Cinderella.
Attendance at the Summer Intensive Program is recommended for students who are accepted into BalletMet Trainee Program. The BalletMet Trainee Program is tuition based. Merit scholarships are awarded to selected trainees and financial aid is available to those who qualify.
Trainees are selected through auditions.
Our auditions for the 20/21 trainee program will begin in January of 2020. Please check back in October for dates and locations.
How long is the Trainee Program? In 2019, the program begins 8/26/19. The Trainee program beings and ends with our Academy year. The final performance is the Spring Performance which is June 5 and June 6, 2020.
Does BalletMet assist with finding housing and roommates? We have some local apartment buildings that have housed trainees in the past. They are The View on Grant, The Seneca, The Abigail and The Normandy. These are all in walking distance to BalletMet. We can also recommend certain zip codes for those that have transportation.
We are happy to connect students if you’d like to try and find a roommate.
What is tuition? Tuition for the Trainee Program for 2019-20 is $7450.00 per student.
Are there scholarships? Yes, there are limited merit based scholarships that are awarded at the discretion of the Academy Director.
Is there financial aid? Yes, there is limited need based financial aid available.
Are there performance opportunities? Trainees perform in the performance ensemble shows, in Academy roles in The Nutcracker and in the Trainee Showcase and the Spring Performance. At the artistic staff’s discretion, trainees may be asked to perform in roles with The Company. In previous season trainees have performed in Giselle, The Nutcracker, Dorothy and the Prince of Oz, Cinderella, Serenade, and are expected to participate* in the 19/20 season of Twisted3, Alice, and The Nutcracker .
If you have any questions, please email Kathy Wilson at kwilson@balletmet.org.
*Subject to change
Cheyanne Burroughs began her training at Carroll County Dance center at the age of 11 . She was taught and trained under Bat Udavl, Dmitri Malikov, Paul Wegner, Wendy Wilson, and Karen Blank. She has been fortunate enough to compete in YAGP in 2015, be a finalist for the Kennedy Center Master Class series in 2016, and train at the Broadway dance center during the summer.
Gillian Carr began dancing at age four at a local studio in Pickerington, Ohio before beginning her formal ballet training at BalletMet at age seven. Gillian has performed in company productions with BalletMet including Gerald Charles’ The Nutcracker, Edwaard Liang’s Cinderella and The Sleeping Beauty. She has attended summer programs at BalletMet, Nashville Ballet, and the Dallas Conservatory.
Christian Chester began dancing at Leap of Faith Dance Company in Westerville, Ohio. In 2011, he began training at BalletMet under Dmitri Suslov and continued his training at Columbus Dance Theater under Tim Veach and Christian Broomhall. Christian has performed in Gerard Charles’ The Nutcracker, Edwaard Liang’s Cinderella, Michael Pink’s Peter Pan and many more!
Nathan Cronheim-Strasser started dancing at the age of three at Columbus Youth Ballet. In 2014, he began training at the BalletMet Academy. He has danced various roles in Academy and Company productions, including Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella. His favorite role that he has performed has been Paco in Edwaard Liang’s Don Quixote.
Joey DeCola is a second year trainee who has studied at BalletMet Academy since the age of four. He has enjoyed participating in many productions since his debut as a page in Swan Lake. He has had roles in Edwaard Liang’s Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Dorothy and the Prince of Oz. He is a junior at Metro Early College/STEM High School and takes classes at Columbus State Community College.
Emma Diehl began her ballet training at the Loudoun School of Ballet at the age of eight. Emma has attended summer programs at Boston Ballet, Ellison Ballet, and ABT New York. She has also participated in the Kennedy Center Ballet Class Series from 2017 to 2019. Emma has performed in local productions of Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker, as well as performing in Septime Webre’s The Nutcracker with The Washington Ballet.