Business Details
11 Years
experience
Premier Male Ballet Training Program
Boys Ballet Summer Intensive (BBSI) is a pre-professional ballet training program exclusively designed for male dancers. Founded to address the unique needs of aspiring male ballet artists, the program offers personalized instruction from internationally recognized faculty, including principal dancers and esteemed educators. Our curriculum emphasizes classical ballet technique, partnering, and performance skills, delivered in a supportive environment that fosters both technical excellence and personal growth.With a focus on male-specific training, BBSI provides limited-class-size instruction to ensure individualized attention. The program cultivates camaraderie among participants while preparing them for professional careers through rigorous daily classes, conditioning sessions, and mentorship opportunities. Our faculty combines decades of industry experience with a commitment to nurturing the next generation of male ballet talent.
Services
Ballet Technique
Partnering
Variations
Conditioning
Jumps & Turns
Repertoire
Weight Training
Stretch Classes
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We offer personalized training by internationally recognized instructors
- Our limited class sizes ensure individualized attention
- We provide male-specific technique development and partnering instruction
- Our faculty includes current and former principal dancers from major companies
- We foster lifelong professional connections through collaborative learning
Associations and certifications
- 501(c)(3) charitable organization
What people say
Technical growth
Lifelong friendships
Expert instruction
Supportive environment
Professional preparation
Services
Ballet Technique
Our core ballet technique classes focus on developing proper alignment, strength, and artistry through daily instruction. Students receive personalized corrections in limited-size classes covering pointe work, men's class specifics, and classical variations. The curriculum emphasizes progressive skill development for dancers aged 9-21.
Partnering
Specialized partnering instruction teaches safe lifting techniques, pas de deux coordination, and performance dynamics. Led by professional dancers, these sessions develop trust and synchronization between partners through practical exercises and repertoire practice in a supportive learning environment.
Conditioning
Daily conditioning classes build the physical foundation required for professional ballet performance. Focus areas include core stability, flexibility, and injury prevention through targeted exercises using resistance bands and bodyweight training adapted to different age groups.
Variations
Variations classes teach classical and contemporary solo pieces under the guidance of experienced instructors. Students learn performance nuances, musicality, and character interpretation while expanding their professional repertoire for future auditions and performances.
Jumps & Turns
Specialized sessions focusing on jump height, turn precision, and aerial technique. Instructors provide individualized feedback to improve technical execution through progressive drills and conditioning exercises tailored to each dancer's development stage.
People
Patrick Frenette
Soloist with American Ballet Theatre / BBSI Co-Founder
Patrick Frenette, ABT Soloist and BBSI co-founder, brings extensive performance experience from leading companies. He designs curriculum that combines professional expertise with personalized instruction for aspiring male dancers.
Emma Lee Frenette
Artistic Director / Ballet Mistress
Emma Lee Frenette, ABT-certified instructor and artistic director, oversees program development. With performance experience at Carolina Ballet and Orlando Ballet, she specializes in creating supportive training environments for male dancers.
Rubn Martn
American Ballet Theatre Principal Teacher
Rubn Martn, former San Francisco Ballet principal dancer, brings international teaching experience. He focuses on classical technique development and career preparation for advanced students in weekly masterclasses.
Jeffrey Rogers
Ballet West Academy Principal Teacher
Jeffrey Rogers, former Ballet West principal dancer, contributes decades of teaching experience. He specializes in Vaganova and Cecchetti methods while mentoring students through competitive and professional transitions.
Davit Karapetyan
Director of School of Philadelphia Ballet
Davit Karapetyan, renowned performer and educator, leads Philadelphia Ballet's training programs. His expertise in classical repertoire and competition preparation benefits both advanced students and faculty development.
Questions
What is the audition process for BBSI?
Submit center-position photos of tendu la seconde and arabesque en l'air, or attend in-person auditions in North Carolina or California. Dancers must re-audition annually.
What locations are available for the program?
BBSI offers sessions in Cary, North Carolina (July 28-August 9) and Costa Mesa, California (August 11-16).
What age requirements exist for participants?
North Carolina accepts ages 11-21; California accepts ages 9-21. Minimum age must be met by the program start date.
What training components are included?
Curriculum includes ballet technique, partnering, variations, conditioning, jumps & turns, and stretch classes with expert faculty.
Is financial assistance available?
While financial aid isn't offered, scholarships are available through the American Dance Competition | International Ballet Competition partnership.
