American Repertory Ballet & Princeton Ballet School

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Trainee Program

About Princeton Ballet School's Trainee Program

Princeton Ballet School is the nation’s second largest nonprofit dance school. It was founded in 1954. In 1996, the school moved into spacious new quarters, with four dance studios and a dance library. The School has a highly qualified faculty, dedicated to providing the training necessary to allow gifted students to achieve their goal of a professional dance career.

The American Repertory Ballet is a nationally recognized professional ballet company with a rich history of classical, neo-classical and contemporary work. The strong classical training of its dancers enables ARB to perform 19th and 20th century class works like Raymonda and The Nutcracker, while a distinct American style to the company allows for a diverse repertory of neo-classic works including Balanchine, Arpino, narrative works by Loring and Jerry, and great contemporary dances by Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, director Douglas Martin, and emerging choreographers.

The Trainee Program is the bridge between the student phase of training and that of a professional career. ARB Trainees start each day with intensive classes designed to polish technique and build strength. These classes are exclusively for the Trainee dancers with a focus on the individual participant. The Trainees finish each day with two more classes in our Professional Training Program, the most advanced of our non-Trainee classes. These classes also include ballet, pointe/variations, partnering and modern dance. In between the two class segments of the day, Trainees join ARB company rehearsal where they understudy company roles. This exposes the Trainee to the expectations of a professional company, learning repertory, polishing technique and performance skills in the more intense professional atmosphere. Trainees also participate in the ARB Workshop, which is our pre-professional performance group.