Trainee Program

Online university programs, or via a collaborative plan developed with Texas Tech University, to incorporate some pedagogy work and associated performance opportunities for the dancers, if deemed fitting.

Trainees will be responsible for finding their own housing and providing their own means of transportation. Ballet Lubbock will provide them with a list of suggestions and help however possible. Any rare, outlying circumstances will be addressed on a case-by-case basis using a host family system. The hosting family could receive a credit towards their own student’s tuition, while the Trainee requiring housing would pay a small rent stipend. This could balance out and cover the cost of any additional risk management required, such as additional insurance. Transportation could be considered as part of the host family plan if it becomes necessarv.

$3,000 per semester

Ballet Lubbock is committed to attracting talented, dedicated artists from a wide range of backgrounds. A limited number of merit-based scholarships may be awarded to exceptional trainees based on artistic potential, technical ability, and program fit. Need-based financial assistance may also be available for qualified students who require additional support to participate in the program. Financial aid applications are reviewed confidentially and are considered independently of artistic evaluation. Our goal is to ensure that promising dancers are not prevented from pursuing advanced training opportunities due to financial circumstances. Students interested in scholarship or financial assistance opportunities are encouraged to indicate their interest during the application process.

Dancers should expect to participate in Ballet Lubbock productions, with the exception of The Nutcracker (unless performing principal roles like the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavelier). An instudio series highlighting young and budding dancers and choreographers will be added in the early Spring (Choreographer’s Concert). Community engagement performances such as participation in First Friday Art Trail, festivals and educational outreach events, Open Barre events, library series, LSO Young Audience Education Series, Encore, A Dancer’s Journey (curriculum education performances), lecture demonstrations, Spring Open Barre, and Spring Performance will be offered. Possible touring/guest performances for Nutcracker. Additional opportunities can be provided by collaborating with other arts organizations and/or performing guest roles with other companies.

As part of the Ballet Lubbock Trainee Program, participants will receive pedagogical training designed to develop effective teaching skills, classroom leadership, and a deeper understanding dance education. Trainees will have opportunities to observe experienced faculty, assist in classes, and gain hands-on teaching experience within Ballet Lubbock’s educational programs. This training helps prepare dancers for the many career paths available in the arts, including studio instruction, community engagement, outreach programming, and arts administration. Through Ballet Lubbock’s ongoing partnerships with nationally recognized organizations and guest faculty, trainees will be exposed to a variety of teaching methodologies, including Balanchine-inspired training and other respected approaches to dance education. These experiences provide valuable insight into the standards and practices of professional dance ining while helping trainees build confidence as educators and mentors.