Frequently Asked Questions

• 4 Apr 2018

Need help with your audition? Need information about the summer intensive? Read more in our frequently asked questions.

What is your audition process?

Auditions are not required for students ages 3-7 and students in this age group can register for any programs offered for this age group. Please scroll down for program dates.

Students ages 8+ must audition prior to acceptance. Students auditioning for the Student Division must audition in person at our studios. To schedule an audition, please contact school@miamicityballet.org with the student’s full name and current age.

Students ages 14+ who are interested in our Pre-Professional Division must audition by following this link MCB School Auditions and selecting the video auditions tab. In this section, you will also find information about video requirements, outlined by age. We do not expect professional videos—as long as you are visible and complete the required exercises, we will be happy to review your video! Please note that we will not accept performance footage as a video audition. Students interested in the Pre-Professional Division must have an extensive dance background.

Students may audition for the Student and Pre-Professional Divisions in-person by attending one of our scheduled auditions. You can find an updated audition schedule here: MCB School Auditions.

There is a fee of $35 for in-person and video auditions. Audition results will be sent via email and registration forms will be provided in the acceptance email.

What summer programs do you have available?

WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING AUDITIONS AND REGISTRATIONS FOR THE 5-WEEK SUMMER INTENSIVE AND CHILDREN’S SUMMER DANCE PROGRAM.

WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR THE SPRING BREAK WORKSHOP OR CHOREOGRAPHIC INTENSIVE.

STUDENTS ATTENDING THE SPRING BREAK WORKSHOP CAN FIND THE CLASS SCHEDULE HERE 2018 Spring Break Workshop.

Children’s Summer Dance (June 19 – July 28, 2018)

Miami City Ballet School’s six-week Children’s Summer Dance program allows boys and girls to try dance for the first time or to continue their ballet studies during the summer months. No audition is required.

Classes offered include Creative Movement (age 3), Pre-Ballet (age 4), Ballet Preparatory I (age 5), Ballet Preparatory II (age 6), Ballet Preparatory III (age 7-8). This is a great way to experience the wonderful selection of dance classes that we offer before registering for classes in the Fall.

Registration is now open for Children’s Summer Dance!  All Children’s Summer Dance forms found within the registration packet and payments, may be sent via email to: school@miamicityballet.org, or mailed to: Miami City Ballet School, 2200 Liberty Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139. You can download the registration packet here: 2018 MCB Childrens Summer Dance Reg-Packet

5-Week Summer Intensive: Ages 9-18 (June 25 – July 27, 2018)

Miami City Ballet School offers an intensive five-week training program geared toward ballet students 9-18 who are committed to dancing professionally and are ready to achieve a new level of artistic excellence.

Each year, our 63,000 sq. ft. the state-of-the-art facility welcomes an elite group of dancers, selected from across the United States and abroad. Over the course of five weeks, students train under MCB Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez, Director of Faculty and Curriculum Arantxa Ochoa, MCB School faculty members, MCB ballet masters, MCB principal dancers and world-renowned guest teachers.

Our rigorous curriculum provides the highest caliber of training in a creative and artistic environment. We offer a well-rounded selection of classes, including Ballet Technique, Pointe, Pas de Deux, Men’s and Women’s Variations, Contemporary, Stretch & Strengthen Pilates and Weight Training. Level I will include classes in Ballet, Musical Theater and Stretch on Monday to Friday; and Level II will include classes in Ballet, Preparatory Pointe, Musical Theater and Stretch on Monday to Saturday.

The University of Miami provides on-campus housing for our MCB Summer Intensive Students. Boarding fees at UM include:

• Air-conditioned, same-sex double-occupancy dormitories with twin beds and a shared bathroom
• 24-hour security at the dormitories
• 24-hour supervision from live-in MCB School Chaperones
• Complimentary Wifi
• Access to laundry facilities, meeting rooms, lounges and vending areas
• Access to recreational on-campus facilities, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, museum, movie theater and restaurants
• Transportation to and from MCB Studios
• All meals — breakfast and dinner are served at UM’s brand new dining hall; lunch is catered daily to MCB Studios.
• Access to on-campus urgent care

South American Intensive: Ages 9-18 (July 16 – July 27, 2018)

Each summer, the Miami City Ballet School opens its doors to young Latin American dancers through its South American Intensive. The two-week program welcomes South American dancers ages 9 to 18 who wish to elevate their technique through instruction from MCB School’s world-class faculty and Company dancers. Class offerings include ballet, pointe, jazz and stretch, along with opportunities to attend MCB School rehearsals.  Students train alongside fellow dancers from across South America in our beautiful South Beach facility—a wonderful introduction to the cultural diversity and top-notch training MCB School offers!  For more information on how to audition, please contact Renato Valverde at producao@ciadeballetdorj.com.br.

When is your year-round program in session and what classes are offered?  

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR IS CLOSED. IF YOU AUDITION FOR THESE PROGRAMS, YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR.

Classes for the year-round program run September – May and are offered as follows:

Children’s Division: Ages 3-7

• Ages 3-4: Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet
  Creative Movement for 3-year-olds, and Pre-Ballet for 4-year-olds introduces children to the overall classroom structure, etiquette, and discipline of preparatory ballet.  Children meet once a week for 45 minutes.
• Age 5: Ballet Preparatory I
  This level meets once a week for 45 minutes.  This class builds upon the Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet experience by repeating some familiar exercises at a faster tempo and introducing new ones with a greater emphasis on posture, flexibility, and strength.
• Age 6: Ballet Preparatory II
  Ballet Preparatory II meets once a week for 1 hour, with the option to enroll in two classes per week.  The class continues to build upon Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet and Ballet Preparatory I where strength, flexibility, posture, and coordination are highly emphasized.
• Age 7: Ballet Preparatory III
  Ballet Preparatory III meets twice a week for 1 hour and 15 minutes. This class continues to lay the foundation of classical ballet training and prepares the students for the more demanding requirements of the MCB School syllabus.

Student Division: Age 8 and up

Please note, level placement is determined by the student’s abilities at the time of the audition.

• Level I
  Meets three times a week for ballet technique and stretch classes.
• Level II
  Meets three times a week for ballet technique and stretch classes.
• Level III
  Meets four times a week for ballet, character and pre-pointe classes.
• Level IV
  Meets five times a week for ballet, pointe, character and contemporary classes. Level IV students will be allowed to go on pointe at the discretion of the School directors and faculty. A student must be at the proper stage of physical development and strength, and this decision will be made when it is safe to do so without risk of injury.
• Level V
  Meets six times a week for ballet, pointe and contemporary classes.
• Level VI
  Meets six times a week for ballet, pointe, variations, contemporary and repertory classes.

Pre-Professional Division: Ages 14-18

Please note, level placement is determined by the student’s abilities at the time of the audition. YOUNGER students may be placed in the Student Division.

Miami City Ballet School’s Pre-Professional Division trains students to be versatile 21st-century dancers with the necessary technique, artistry and physical strength to perform ballets in the Balanchine repertory as well as other choreographic styles.  The School’s renowned faculty, established syllabus and range of performance opportunities prepare students to join Miami City Ballet as well as other preeminent dance companies around the world.

The Pre-Professional Division is divided into two levels that meet six times a week and train between 20-30 hours per week. The Pre-Professional curriculum includes separate Men’s and Women’s Ballet Technique, Pointe, Variations, Pas de Deux, Repertory, Contemporary Dance and Choreography classes.  Supplemental training classes are offered in Pilates Mat and Gyrokenesis®, individual equipment training in Gyrotonic® and Pilates, and Weight Training for Men.

Secure, supervised housing is available for out-of-town students at our elegantly appointed, large one-bedroom apartments. The Residence Hall has conveniently located two blocks from the studios, three blocks from Miami Beach Senior High School and three blocks from the beach. Grocery stores, banks and the world-famous Lincoln Road shopping district are within walking distance, and public transportation is easily accessible.Physical therapy, counseling services and nutritional guidance are available to all Pre-Professional students. We can also provide with assistance regarding academic programs in the area.

Community Division (Ages 14+)

Experience MCB School in a whole new way, with Community Division classes for all skill levels in a relaxed and welcoming environment! An array of drop-in classes and workshops are available throughout the year—drop in classes cost $20 each and workshop pricing varies. Multi-class passes are available as well. You can find more information about class offerings and register for classes online here: https://www.miamicityballet.org/school/community We also have a wonderful FAQ section which is very helpful, especially if this is your first time taking class at our studios: https://www.miamicityballet.org/school/community/drop-in

What is the cost of attending Miami City Ballet School?

PLEASE NOTE THAT INSTALLMENT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE. THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT ALL SUMMER PROGRAM PAYMENTS IS APRIL 16^TH.

2017-2018 Children’s Division

• Creative Movement $800 tuition, $125 fee
• Ballet Preparatory II $900, $125 fee
• Ballet Preparatory III $1800, $125 fee

2017-2018 Student Division

• Level I $2700 tuition, $160 fee
• Level II $2,800 tuition, $160 fee
• Level III $5,000 tuition, $160 fee
• Level IV $5,800 tuition, $160 fee
• Level V $6,000 tuition, $160 fee
• Level VI $$6,000 tuition, $160 fee

2017-2018 Pre-Professional Division

• Pre-Professional I $6,200 tuition, $510 fee, $9,000 housing (optional)
• Pre-Professional II $6,500 tuition, $710 fee, $9,000 housing (optional)

2018 Children’s Summer Dance

• Creative Movement, 3 weeks $60, 6 weeks $120, $25 fee for both options
• Ballet Prepatory II, 3 weeks $75, 6 weeks $150, $25 fee for both options
• Ballet Preparatory III, 3 weeks $150, 6 weeks $300, $25 fee for both options

2018 5-Week Summer Intensive

• Level I 2 Weeks $450, 3 Weeks $600, 5 Weeks $900, $100 fees for all options
• Levels II – VIII  5 Weeks Only $2,700, $100 fees, Housing $3,000 (optional)

2018 South American Intensive

• Please contact Renato Valverde at producao@ciadeballetdorj.com.br for more information.

Do you offer scholarships?
Miami City Ballet School offers scholarships based on merit to exceptional students who demonstrate great potential. Students who are offered a scholarship will be informed via the acceptance email they receive. Scholarships are offered for the following programs: 5-Week Summer Intensive; Pre-Professional Division; Student Division.

Do you accept international students and if so, what are the admission requirements?
Miami City Ballet School is known for its diversity and we proudly open our doors to international students from across the globe. Currently, we accept international students for our 5-Week Summer Intensive and Pre-Professional Division. With the exception of Canadian students, all international students are required to obtain an M-1 visa, regardless of whether they have obtained a tourist visa and regardless of their eligibility for the ESTA visa waiver program.

Upon acceptance to Miami City Ballet School, international students will be given instructions on how to obtain an M-1 visa and Miami City Ballet School staff will assist with the process. Canadian students will be required to obtain an I-20 form. Miami City Ballet School does not assist with dependent visas.

Where can I find school calendars and schedules?
Our 2017-2018 School Calendar is available here https://cdnwww.miamicityballet.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/MCB-School-Student-Calendar-17-18.pdf 

You can find general schedules for each program under the “registration and class schedule” tab for each program page on our website, www.miamicityballet.org/school.

Where do I purchase dancewear?
All dance attire and hair accessories can be purchased at the MCB Store in our lobby, or at:
Dancing Supplies Depot Inc.
10556 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL 33174
Phone: 305.226.0666
www.dancingsuppliesdepot.com (school code MCBS)

How do I purchase tickets?
You may purchase tickets to Company and School Performances by contacting the Box Office at 305-929-7010, in person at our studios Monday-Friday 10 am – 5:00 pm, or online at www.miamicityballet.org.