OKC Ballet's Summer Intensive Attracts Aspiring Professionals Worldwide

OKC Ballet’s summer intensive program attracts dancers from all over the country and some from other countries for three weeks of intensive training.

“Our summer intensive is a chance for dancers that are training to become professional ballet dancers or pursue dance in college,” said OKC Ballet instructor Racheal Nye.

The program is done all over the country, however, for many dancers Oklahoma City is a top destination.

“Sometimes they find that it’s really like a professional environment which is what they are aspiring to,” said Nye.

“Over the two sessions, one hundred and seventy-two students between the ages of 11 and 22 call the Oklahoma City home, students like Poppie from New Zealand.

“Earlier this year I was actually at European School of Ballet and the director Jon Eve, he mentioned Oklahoma and mentioned the good program and so I kind of looked into it,” said New Zealand ballet dancer Poppie-Belle Holland.

Eugene is one of the best at his home in Kenya, coming here was eye-opening for him

“I have to dance with male dancers who know how to do some really sick stuff,” said dancer Eugene Oching from Kenya.

Students dance from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every day. “It’s intense but it’s really good. I love it,” said Holland.

The dancers do get downtime to experience activities like the zoo, the science museum, and swimming at Pelican Bay.

“The museum, yeah, that was really cool,” said Oching.

Along with the training, guests get a heavy dose of the Oklahoma spirit.

“We learn everyone’s name by the end of the first week, and really try to help the kids feel seen as individuals,” said Nye.

For more information about the Summer Intensive program or the OKC Ballet visit www.okcballet.org