Academy Newsletter: January 2024

The window is still open for new students to join this year’s Academy classes, but not for long! Registration for the current Academy year closes on January 15, 2024. If you know any eager young dancers looking to explore Academy training, please share our website and encourage them to contact our team. We're happy to be their guide!

Schedule Changes: January 15 is the final day for currently enrolled students to submit schedule change requests. We know a new year can bring new family commitments or a change in school schedules. If you need to adjust your class schedule, please fill out a Schedule Change Request Form by clicking HERE.

Cincinnati Ballet is looking for talented young dancers to be part of our upcoming productions! Young Performers Auditions for Cincinnati Ballet’s Don Quixote and Family Series: The Little Mermaid will be held this month.

Young Performers Auditions for Don Quixote
Sunday, January 7, 2024
12:00 - 1:00 PM: Dancers 4'3" to 4'11"
1:15 - 2:15 PM: Dancers 5'0" to 5'7"

Young Performers Auditions for Family Series: The Little Mermaid
Sunday, January 14, 2024
12:00 - 1:15 PM: Dancers 4'3" to 4'11"
1:30 - 3:00 PM: Dancers 5'0" to 5'7"

Dancers must be 8 or older on the day of the audition to be eligible. Please visit the links below for more information. We hope to see you there!

We’re thrilled to announce dates for our 2024 youth summer programs! Mark your calendars. We look forward to dancing with you through the summer break.

Youth Summer Intensive
June 17-28 and July 8-19, 2024

Youth Summer Intensive provides young, aspiring dancers with an entrée into intensive summer training in a fun and nurturing environment. Otto M. Budig Academy students do not need to audition. Eligible students will receive notification of their placement and registration information later this month.

Summer Dance Workshop
June 3-7, June 10-14, and July 29-August 2, 2024

Summer Dance Workshop is a week-long summer dance experience for young dancers ages 8-11 with at least one year of formal ballet training. Eligible students will receive notification of their placement and registration information soon.

Kids Dance Camp
June 3-7, June 10-14, and July 29-August 2, 2024

Kids Dance Camp is a creative exploration of dance, music and art through beloved stories, for dancers ages 4-8. Current Academy families receive priority registration access. Eligible students will be notified later this month.

As we return to classes this week, the Academy's focus begins to turn toward our annual Spring Production. Performance is an integral part of our students' dance education, and we look forward to sharing many more details about plans for this year’s culminating performances.

Children's Division Costume Measurements: Families with dancers in Creative Dance 1, 2, and 3, Children’s Division Tap, and Pre Ballet classes were sent an email in December with details about submitting costume measurements for their students. Measurements must be submitted via this form by January 7. Please note costumes should run true to size in line with the measurement ranges detailed on the size chart you'll reference when suggesting a size for your student.

Progressing to pointe work is one of the most exciting goals for an aspiring dancer. We invite you to join us on Saturday, February 3, for an information session from 11:00-11:30 AM as Academy staff discuss the important components of evaluation for pointe readiness. This session will be of particular interest to our Preparatory Division 3 families, but anyone interested in learning more is welcome to attend.

Pointe Readiness Information Session

Saturday, February 3

11:00 – 11:30 AM
Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance

Additional details will be sent in the coming weeks.

From February 16-25 at Music Hall, join Don Quixote on his fanciful quest to find love and prove chivalry is not dead! This full-length story ballet is a high-energy, sunny romp through the Spanish countryside based on Miguel de Cervantes’ classic novel. Audiences are immersed in an adventure filled with romance, tragedy, and comedy, including such famous scenes as the duel between Don Quixote and a windmill. The ballet has long been acclaimed for its virtuoso dancing, and the choreography paints a story infused with the ideals of knighthood, chivalry, and Don Quixote’s love affair with Dulcinea.