Welcome back from Spring Break! We hope you enjoyed some time to rest and rejuvenate as we head into the final stretch of the Academy Year together.

Our dancers are hard at work learning choreography for Spring Production 2021! While more information will continue to come your way this spring as plans with our venue are finalized, please note the following dates:

April 6-19: Main Division Costume Fittings

April 19-25: Children’s Division Costume Pick-Up (in-person classes only)

Main Division families should have received a detailed costume fitting schedule via email on Thursday, April 1. Fittings will take place during regular class time.

Registration is now open to the public for this summer’s Kids Dance Camp! This beloved summer program for dancers ages 5-8 offers week-long camps that explore dance, music and art through age-appropriate ballet classes, crafts, and other activities led by professional faculty. While capacity is smaller due to social distancing, we’re limiting each student to one week of camp in order to serve as many dancers as possible. We hope you’ll join us! 

Program Dates:
June 21 - 25
July 26 - 30
August 2 - 6

Limited space remains for Youth Summer Intensive, and waitlists are open for any sessions that have filled. We'd love the opportunity to continue training with you this summer. To register, please reference your placement letter sent via email in February.

Program Dates:
June 28 - July 23

This spring, seven Academy students (ranging from Level 4 to Level 7) are participating in Youth America Grand Prix, an international student ballet competition and scholarship program. These remarkable students have been training and learning choreography for the last few months and now represent Cincinnati Ballet in the semi-final competition.

We're sending a huge congratulations to each of them and are so impressed with the hard work, dedication and resilience they have shown in their preparations to compete. Each student represents the Academy in the highest caliber and we could not be more proud of each of them!

While semi-final competitions continue, we're thrilled to recognize Lulu Frodge who placed in the top 6 contemporary pre-competitive division in Philadelphia, Ariana Bridges who placed in the top 24 classical junior division in Pittsburgh and Alexandria Yetter who placed in the top 12 classical junior division in Indianapolis.

Cincinnati Ballet’s Story Choreography Project provides a step-by-step introduction to sharing stories through dance. This year’s project will be conducted virtually and focuses on the "untold stories" in our own families. Over six weeks in April and May, we’ll roll out a series of choreography lessons online, alternating between self-paced videos one week and an interview with a choreographer the next.

On April 15, we’ll start where all choreographers do, with a look at inspiration. By the end of the six-week program, you’ll be guided toward the creation of your own short, one-minute dance. You’ll have the option to share your finished piece with us for a collaborative video showcasing the project, but all are welcome to participate at whatever level you choose and at your own pace. This project is designed for all ages and experience levels and will be hosted on Cincinnati Ballet's Facebook page. We hope you’ll join us in sharing your own stories through dance!

As we prepare to move into our new Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in just a few short months, we’re eager to get to know our new neighborhood of Walnut Hills. You’re invited to join us in a scavenger hunt specially designed for our Cincinnati Ballet community, May 14-23!

Participants will receive a kit with a map, clues, and other items to guide you through a series of puzzles at key businesses, murals, and landmarks in the neighborhood around our new building. All activities are outdoors, socially distanced, accessible, technology-free, and family friendly. The hunt is estimated to take 3-5 hours total over the course of the week. Registration will open in mid-April for $25 per team.

April 5: Classes resume after Spring Break

April 6 - 19: Main Division Costume Fittings 

April 15: Final Tuition Payment Due (8 Installment Plans)

April 16 - May 20: Story Choreography Project

April 19 - 25: Costume Pick-Up Week for Children's Division (in-person classes only)

May 14 - 23: Cincinnati Ballet Walnut Hills Scavenger Hunt

May 21 - 23: Ballet in the Park (Seasongood Pavilion)

Mark your calendars for a free (or pay what you wish), socially distanced production at Seasongood Pavilion in Eden Park on May 21-23. Space is limited, so reservations are required to take advantage of this opportunity.

OTTO M. BUDIG ACADEMY  |  1555 Central Parkway  | cbacademy@cballet.org  |  513.562.1111