Pre-Professional Division (Ages 11 – 18)
The Pre-Professional Division offers additional classes for students who would like to commit more time to ballet. This program is designed to accompany classes students take in the Academy Division. Our goal is to give students the tools they need to go into college dance programs or companies, if they so choose. Students receive extra opportunities which include:
- Partnering for older students (ages 14-18)
- Extra performance opportunities
- Classical variations and ballet repertoire
- Bi-annual meetings with the CDS Directors
Our approach is to curate a program specific to the needs of each individual dancer. The Directors will act as mentors to those in the program in order to help navigate the difficult world of auditions, ballet competitions, and summer intensives. Training becomes more intensive in this level, focusing more on Vaganova technique and pointe work, and introducing partnering for older students. The program is open to any student with a desire to commit more time to classical ballet.
In addition to the Nutcracker, Spring Benefit, and June Concert, students will have the opportunity to participate in additional performances. These will include student based dance festivals and outreach performances.
Tuition listed below is an additional fee, on top of the tuition for the Academy Division, as these two programs are meant to accompany one another. Students will still take their Academy classes, and add the additional days listed below.
Pre-Professional Apprentice | by Placement for Ballet 4 – 6 Students
| Day | Time |
| Tuesdays | 5:15pm – 8:15pm |
| Tuition: $800 |
|
Pre-Professional Apprentice Partnering | Ballet 4 – 6 Students
| Day | Time |
| Saturdays | 11:30am – 12:30pm |
| Tuition: $375 |
Pre-Professional | by Placement for Ballet 7 – 10 Students
| Day | Time |
| Mondays | 3:45pm – 6:45pm |
| Thursdays | 3:45pm – 6:45pm |
| Tuition: $800 – One PrePro Class/wk. | Tuition: $1,400 – Two PrePro Classes/wk. |
Pre-Professional Partnering | for Ballet 7 – 10 Students
| Day | Time |
| Tuesdays | 5:15pm – 6:15pm |
| Tuition: $375 |
"CDS has incredible faculty that teach pure classical ballet technique and also help to instill the many lessons about professionalism, dedication, and patience that come along with learning ballet. Both my college and medical/graduate school application essays discussed people and lessons I learned during my time at CDS."
– Julia Davis-Porada, former student, now with Columbia Ballet Collaborative, Columbia University
