John Cranko School Summer Intensive
New York | Ages 15-22
The John Cranko School SI NY provides expert Vaganova Technique training for serious ballet students (ages 15 - 22 years). Uniquely, the classical ballet repertoire is expanded to include John Cranko’s neoclassical and contemporary repertoire. The JCSSI teachers offer rigorous pre-professional ballet training through class instruction, final Showcase, and other related activities. Classes are conducted in English.
Recognized for preparing dancers for leading European ballet companies, the curriculum is designed to achieve maximum individual progress with a focus on clarity of technique, strength, and musicality.
Dancers from all over the world attend. Residential and day options are available. The Program’s overall environment is non-competitive and teamwork is emphasized.
Dancers exhibiting exceptional talent may be invited to the November Workshop and/or recommended for year-round study at the John Cranko School in Stuttgart, Germany.
Geneva Bernal
Program Director
John Cranko School SI NY
Phone: 212-687-6118 ext. 207
Three Weeks
July 20 - August 8, 2025
Culminates in a Final Showcase
Upper East Side of Manhattan, NY
Studios
Learn more:
JCS SI NY studios are located on Manhattan’s beautiful Upper East Side at Hunter College and MMC!
Chaperones, Classes, and more.
Supervision
Learn more:
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Chaperones/Staff
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Class Supervision
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Resident Supervision
The auditions are a great opportunity for dancers and their families to meet Program staff. Respecting that dancers come from different training backgrounds and vary in age, each dancer is evaluated within the context of their individual abilities. Successful candidates demonstrate age-appropriate skills, musicality, commitment to achieving progress, and appreciation for a collaborative environment. As the John Cranko School is in session during the year, local teachers conduct the auditions. During the summer, John Cranko School teachers travel exclusively from Stuttgart for the Program.
Auditions
In Person, Virtual, and Video
Intermediate Advanced / Advanced Levels*
Female Dancers
Classes Consist of:
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Classical Technique
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Classical Repertoire
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Contemporary Repertoire
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Cranko Repertoire
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Pointe
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Partnering
Intermediate Advanced / Advanced Levels*
Male Dancers
Classes Consist of:
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Classical Technique
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Classical Repertoire
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Contemporary Repertoire
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Cranko Repertoire
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Variations
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Partnering
John Cranko School SI NY is designed for male and female dancers (15 - 22 years) who are at an intermediate through advanced level. Training is conducted through group classes which consist of individual participation, observation, interactive participation with other participants, and hands-on corrections and demonstrations. Dancers are expected to moderate the rigor of their training within the context of instruction, which is aimed at assisting participants to achieve individual progress.
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Ballet classes are conducted in groups, and organized by age and skill levels.
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Level placement may be adjusted during the first few days at the exclusive discretion of the Program.
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Dancers exhibiting exceptional talent may be invited to the November Workshop and/or recommended for year-round study at the John Cranko School in Stuttgart, Germany.
A Showcase will be held at the end of the session, giving participants the opportunity to demonstrate the repertoire acquired during the program. While all will be featured, the extent of one’s participation in the showcase may be based, in part, on merit, in-class participation, and artistic decisions. The schedule of the last week is adjusted to accommodate rehearsals.
Curriculum
Weekends:
No classes take place over weekends.
Extracurricular Activities:
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Free Injury prevention workshop
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Private classes for an additional cost and subject to availability.
Learn more about Tuition and Housing, Enrollment and Payment Deadlines, and the enrollment process.
Enrollment & Costs
2025 Tuition
Program
Session Length
Tuition Fee
Registration Fee
John Cranko School SI (JCSSI)
3 Weeks
(July 20-Aug. 8)
$2,600
$150
International Contemporary Masters (ICM)
2 Weeks
(July 7 - July 18)
$1,650
$150
JCSSI & ICM
5 Weeks
(July 7 - Aug. 8)
$4,250
$150
2025 Housing
Two housing options are available - MMC & YU. All will be directed to register for MMC Housing but can note their 1st choice preference. While we can't guarantee one's 1st choice, we will do our best to consider such requests. 5 Week Participants will have priority for the housing option of their choice. If one's housing will be adjusted from MMC to YU, ASE will refund the difference in cost prior to program start.) Housing option may be modified at Program's discretion.
Program
Session Length
MMC Housing Fee
YU Housing Fee
Registration Fee
Additional Fees
John Cranko School SI (JCSSI)
3 Weeks
(July 20-Aug. 9)
$1,980
$1,600
$150
Chaperone Fee $150 (Mandatory for Chaperoned Dancers)
International Contemporary Masters (ICM)
2 Weeks
(July 6 - July 18)
$1,425
$1,200
$150
Chaperone Fee $100 (Mandatory for Chaperoned Dancers)
JCSSI & ICM
5 Weeks
(July 6 - Aug. 8)
$3,250
$2,700
$150
Chaperone Fee $250 (Mandatory for Chaperoned Dancers)
IMPORTANT IF ELECTING TO RESIDE IN PROGRAM HOUSING:
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Please be guided by your dancer's age as of July 20, 2025.
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15-16 year-old dancers must be enrolled in the Chaperoned Housing option.
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17-year-old dancers may opt out of Chaperoned Housing.
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Dancers 18 years and older are not chaperoned.
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YU Housing allows for Parent + Dancer/s residence option via special request. If you would like to reside with your dancer in housing, please contact the program director for more information.
50% of Housing
Remainder of Housing
Friday, 2/21/25
Friday, 4/4/25
2025 Housing
50% of Tuition
Remainder of Tuition
Within 2 weeks of Acceptance
Friday, 4/4/25
2025 Tuition
Please refer to your acceptance letter for detailed enrollment instructions. Upon receipt of an acceptance, log into your Parent Dashboard and click the Enrollment tab. To reserve your space in the program, kindly be advised of the following deadlines:
Enrollment & Payment Deadlines
Payment Reminders
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By check, ACH, or wire transfer only. Credit cards accepted ONLY for the initial audition and/or registration deposit of $150.
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Carefully review your invoice for important payment information.
Refund Policy
Subject to the Cancellation Period specified in Program's Registration Contract, ASE has a no-refund policy on payments received. There are absolutely no refunds for dismissal from the Program or for voluntary withdrawal. Withdrawal from the Program, 60 days or more prior to the beginning of the 3 week session, due to a severe injury or medical condition unrelated to a pre-existing condition and directly resulting in Participant’s inability to train, may be evaluated on a case by case basis for special consideration of a credit. All special consideration requests will be reviewed in September following the completion of the Program. Audition and Registration Fee payments do not qualify for special consideration requests. It is Participant's responsibility to submit to ASE, in September, written statement of the request, relevant medical documentation, and physician’s attestation that the injury or medical condition is not related to a previously existing condition. Upon receipt of stated information, ASE will determine, in its sole discretion, whether any special consideration will be granted. Requests for session changes are not guaranteed, reviewed on a case by case basis, and are subject to ASE's Refund Policy.(*Good Standing defined as being in compliance with Program's policies, inclusive of, but not limited to payments and form submissions.) Given ASE’s no-refund policy please consider insurance as an option to protect your enrollment costs. Limited information is provided below. All are encouraged to consider other general industry and/or home country channels.
Options for International Families:
At this time Program is able to recommend only health insurance options. For cancellation insurance, home country options should be considered.
Options for U.S. Families:
NOTE: ASE has no affiliation with the insurance companies, nor does ASE make any representations regarding their products and/or services. This information is offered solely on an OPTIONAL and INFORMATIONAL basis. It is the sole responsibility of each family to obtain full information regarding the coverage and any/all other relevant matters. Please do not contact ASE/JCSSI program staff with any questions regarding the insurance, as we are not authorized to provide any information.
Insurance Suggestions
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I am an advanced dancer, but am younger than 15 years old. Can I be considered for the resident program in New York City?NYC housing regulations do not allow the Program to accommodate anyone under the age of 15 years. Additionally, in keeping with age-appropriate training, dancers who are not 15 years of age during the start of the Summer Intensive are not typically considered for JCS SI NY.
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Can I commute to the NY or the CT program or do I have to live in the residences?Both the New York City and Connecticut programs have a Day Student option. Enrollment in Program housing is not a requirement.
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How are placement levels determined for the accepted dancers?Dancers are placed in levels appropriate for their age while taking their current training level into consideration. The audition process and/or past enrollment in a JCS SI program serve only as a limited indicator for dancer's group placement. All dancers are evaluated during the first few days of the program and placement may be adjusted at the exclusive discretion of the program.
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How many dancers are in a class?Traditionally JCS SI groups are subject to the studio sizes, but average around 30 dancers.
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Is there an option for private instruction during the Summer Intensive?Enrolled dancers will be able to sign up for private instruction with the JCS SI Teachers for an additional fee, subject to availability. Detailed information will be made available closer to program start.
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Are there scholarships available for dancers who have been accepted into the Summer Intensive?ASE offers a number of different types of scholarship opportunities. Please visit the FAQ Scholarship Tab above for full details.
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Will I be able to select roommates in New York and Connecticut?Registered dancers will receive a Program Manual closer to summer time and will be able to request roommate preferences. The Program makes its best effort to meet such requests, but cannot make any guarantees. To foster community building, roommates are typically placed by their groups. In a rare case, if a group placement will be required room adjustment may need to be made. In CT some of the rooms are singles and are typically reserved for staff and/or older dancers.
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Are there medical and other program forms required for enrollment?Important program manuals and forms will be provided to JCS SI NY & CT families during March. All programs have a thorough medical review process, which requires a Physician’s Report to be completed by the dancer’s regular physician and then be reviewed by the Program. If you will be requesting an exemption from immunizations, you MUST contact the program in advance.
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What does JCS SI look for at auditions?JCS SI Programs welcome dancers from a variety of training backgrounds and schools. At the audition we look for a dancer to demonstrate their commitment to working hard in class, musicality, age appropriate training/technique, and a positive attitude. A successful JCS SI Program participant is one who is vested in spending 3 weeks in an environment which is non-competitive, culturally diverse, fosters friendships, offers many valuable opportunities/activities, and where ALL are expected to work hard to achieve individual progress in ballet training. All Participants are expected to be mature, focused, able to function independently and responsibly at all times and respect all members of the JCS SI community.
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How do I register for a 2025 audition?Please refer to the Auditions Page for details on in-person, virtual, and video options offered. To register for the proper age group, please be guided by your age as of June 20, 2025. New families must create a profile on the Program's Portal. Returning families should use their existing profile on the Program's Portal.
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Are video auditions accepted?While attending an in-person or virtual audition is highly encouraged, video auditions are accepted when a dancer can’t attend either of these options. You must register for a video audition first and then submit your video in accordance with the Program's instructions. JCS SI accepts video auditions in the form of links (uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, etc). For instructions on registering and uploading a video audition, please visit the Auditions Page.
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Is there a fee to audition?The Audition fee for 2024 is $50 for In-Person Advance Registration / Virtual and $60 for Video / In-person On-site Registration. All Fees are non-refundable. Please visit the Auditions Page for more information.
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What should a dancer expect at a in-person or virtual audition?Auditions are organized as a ballet technique class which will include barre and center work. For female dancers who have been training on pointe for 3 months or longer, there will be a section on pointe. Male and Female dancers audition together, but older male dancers will be requested to showcase some separate skills. As the John Cranko School is in session, the auditions are taught by local teachers and not the schools teachers.
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How should a dancer prepare for an audition?1. Please make sure your headshot and first arabesque photo are uploaded to the Program Portal! 2. Please arrive on time and make sure you have stable access to the internet for the Zoom class if virtual. Attire code: Female dancers should wear a black leotard and pink tights. Prepare your pointe shoes if you have been training for a minimum of 3 months. Hair should be in a bun or secured out of the dancer's face. Male dancers should wear dark tights/shoes and a white fitted shirt. Hair should be neat and secured out of the dancer's face.
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What are the requirements for a video audition?Video auditions should be no longer than 10 minutes long and filmed within 3 months of your submission date. Video audition requirements depend on dancer's age specific requirements, learn more here.
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When will I be notified of my audition results?You will be notified within 2 weeks of your audition via the email provided at registration. Please make sure to provide an accurate email and check it regularly. If after two weeks you have still not heard from JCS SI, please email your Program contact. Individual feedback on performance at the audition will not be provided.
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Is there a limit to how many times I can audition?Dancers who desire to re-audition may do so.
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When will waitlisted dancers be notified of possible acceptance?Those who are waitlisted will be notified via email ONLY in the event that their status changes. Program staff will start reviewing waitlisted candidates in mid-March. If a JCS SI program is your dancer's first choice, please feel free to email that information to the Program Director.
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If I have a birthday before the start of the audition, should I attend the audition for the age I am now, or will be during the audition?You should audition with the age group you will be in by the start of the program, July 20, 2025. If you are 9-14 you will be considered for the JCS SI CT (9-15) program. If you are 15, you are eligible to audition and will be considered for JCS SI CT (9-15) and JCS SI NY (15+). If you are 16+ you will be considered for JCS SI NY (15+).
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Which program should I choose for my 15-year-old Dancer?JCS SI offers two Program options for 15 yr old dancers. We welcome you to read more about the differences and similarities in this helpful comparison.
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What type of scholarship support is offered for John Cranko School SI NY & CT Programs?The John Cranko School SI is a selective program which offers its Participants a one of a kind, unparalleled training and cross-cultural opportunity with the teachers of the John Cranko School, known for elite Vaganova Technique Training and unique intersection of the Classical, Cranko Neoclassical, and Contemporary ballet repertoire. Because of our commitment to limited classes and high caliber of program which involves bringing teachers from overseas, only a small number of scholarship opportunities are available as follows: MERIT-BASED FOR EXTRAORDINARY TALENT – ASE recognizes the enormous talent and dedication of many students interested in its Programs. A limited number of merit-based scholarships are offered through the Youth America Grand Prix Competition. For further information and registration please visit YAGP.org. ASE may award a limited number of merit-based scholarships to students participating in its live auditions. Such awards are by invitation only. NEED-BASED FOR EXTRAORDINARY TALENT – ASE recognizes that some extraordinarily talented students are prohibited from participating due to financial constraints. In such cases, ASE suggests that ACCEPTED families contact the JCS SI Program IN ADVANCE OF THE ENROLLMENT DEADLINE. Please note that FA support, if offered, is only for partial tuition costs. Please consider that full tuition support is extremely rare and there is no support for housing costs. We encourage families to also consider a Parent Chaperone opportunity which offers a tuition discsount and exploring other sources. Request for financial aid must be accompanied by the following: Two (2) most recent official and filed Federal Tax Returns. Please do not submit W-2 or 1099 forms and black out your SS#. Any submitted narrative should be no longer than one page. Please verify that your 2023 Headshot and First-Arabesque photo are uploaded to your Program Dashboard Please send all to the Coordinating Director for the specific Program you are applying. Contact information is listed on the Program Faculty & Staff page. PLEASE AWAIT PROGRAM’S RESPONSE PRIOR TO REGISTERING. The response will be sent to the email address(es) on file. All scholarships are subject to availability.
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Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarships for High School StudentsThe Anthony Quinn Foundation offers merit based scholarships for Pre-College summer programs in the arts and recognizes JCS programs for consideration of applicants. Candidates should carefully review all information provided on their website https://aqfoundation.org/scholarships. Please note that this opportunity is not affiliated with ASE/JCS.
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International Education Week ScholarshipThe International Education Week (IEW), is a joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education that celebrates the exploration and appreciation of diverse cultures in today’s global world. As part of the ASE family, participants experience firsthand the impact of a cultural exchange. In support of IEW's mission, ASE engages all of our Program participants, past and present, to participate and awards Finalists $250 for outstanding presentations. The next opportunity will be announced early December 2024 to all Program alumni in good standing. *While participation in this opportunity is voluntary, ASE reserves the right to consider alumni's IEW scholarship participation if they apply for any future scholarship/support for JCS Programs.
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The Connecticut ClassicThe Official Connecticut Classic Ballet Scholarship Competition offers merit based scholarships for pre-professional ballet students giving the participants a stepping stone towards national and international competitions. Candidates should carefully review all information provided on their website https://theconnecticutclassic.com/.
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Who do I contact for further questions?Please contact the specific Program Director for the Program that you are interested in. Full contact information is available on the Program page.
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If I was offered a scholarship in previous years, does that scholarship carry over to the current year?No, scholarships are honored only for the year they were awarded, however, we welcome dancers to audition for the Program again, and families can indicate if they are interested in scholarships for the current year.