AUDITION PROCESS

Acceptance to the either Kirov Academy’s summer intensive and/or year-round program is by audition only. In many cases, attendance at one or both summer sessions is a prerequisite for those interested in the year round program. KAB has four means by which a student may audition:

 

1)       Attend a scheduled Audition Tour. Audition Tour dates and locations can be found on the Academy’s website and is also featured in Dance Magazine and Pointe Magazine in December. Students may pre-register for their audition on-line by clicking here (available soon). Registrations are accepted on site as well. To download an audition form in PDF format, please click here.

·          Females - please wear a black leotard and pink tights; males – please wear a white t-shirt and black tights

·          Ballet shoes only (no pointe shoes)

·          All audition classes are taught by our year round program instructors and all students complete the audition class

·          Please do not bring head shots, resumes or references

·          Parents are permitted to watch the audition class (if their dancer does not mind!)

 

2)       Send a 10-minute VHS video or DVD of barre and center with the student’s head and feet showing at all times. The camera must be centered and perpendicular to the barre. The taping should include 10 minutes of barre and center. Barre exercises should include: plié, battements tendus, jeté, fondu, frappé, adagio, ronds de jambe par terre, ronds de jambe en l’air, and grands battement. Center exercises should include: tendu, adagio, pirouettes, jumps in three sizes, and fouettés (turns). Please do not send performance footage or wear costume attire; only audition attire should be worn.

 

3)       Arrange an appointment with the Director of Programs for a technique class at the Academy. Call (202) 636-0635 for details.

 

4)       Mail in three photographs: one with feet in first position with the arms in preparatory position; one in tendu à la seconde with the arms in second position, and one in développé à la seconde with the arms in fifth position. Photos should be 4 x 6 or larger. STUDENTS WHO MAIL IN AUDITION PHOTOS WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED FOR ACCEPTANCE TO THE SUMMER PROGRAM. Please do not use this audition method if you wish to be considered for early acceptance to the Academy’s year round program.

 

A $30 audition fee and completed Audition Form are required for all audition methods. Video and photo auditions will not be processed without the accompanying $30 fee; all materials should be sent to the attention of the Director of Programs.

 

We apologize for any inconvenience, but specific information about a dancer’s evaluation will not be released. Kirov Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender, or national/ethnic origin. The school is authorized under Federal Law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.

 

SUMMER SESSIONS – INVITATION PROCESS

Kirov Academy’s summer program is offered to young dancers aged 10 through 18. Once an audition has been completed, a letter indicating the student’s results (acceptance, wait-list, or non-acceptance), will be mailed within one week. Accepted students will receive an invitation letter along with an Enrollment Agreement outlining the fees and deadlines (fees and deadlines can also be found by clicking here). Wait-listed candidates will be informed in March if their status changes. Information as to the likelihood of acceptance cannot be released. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis; however, priority is given to scholarship students, double-session students, and resident students.

 

During the Summer Session(s) each student is evaluated for acceptance into the year-round program. Some students may be placed on a waiting list. It is also perfectly acceptable for students to attend the Summer Intensive program only for the experience and enjoyment of being a part of Kirov Academy’s dance program for 3 to 6 weeks. Those wishing to be invited into the year-round program are encouraged to attend both sessions.

 

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM

KAB’s year-round program is designed for grades 6 through 12. Students wishing to be invited to the year-round program are typically evaluated during a 3-week summer intensive program. Students chosen to attend the Academy’s year-round program are offered four programs of study:

 

1)       Full Residential Program: Students in academic grades 6 – 12 may board at the Academy, combining their academic studies with a dance curriculum that focuses on the pursuit of a classical dance career. 18-year-olds may be permitted to reside at the Academy provided they are still undertaking their senior year of high school and have been granted permission from the Admissions Department.

2)       Commuter with Artistic and Academic Program: Students may participate in both the academic and artistic courses here at the Academy as commuters living with their parent(s) or guardian(s).

3)       Commuter with Artistic Program: Commuters with alternative academic programs such as a home-schooling program or other schooling programs may choose to participate in our artistic program only. However, students are not allowed to reside at the Academy and take an alternative academic curriculum.

4)       Pre-Professional Program: Lastly, high school graduates from 19-21 years of age may continue their study of dance in the Pre-Professional Program. This program is designed to attract students wanting to refine all their previous artistic studies in anticipation of entering the professional ballet world in the near future.

Fees, records, and policies for each option in the year-round program may be discussed with the Admissions Officer.

 

SCHOLARSHIP POLICY AND INFORMATION

The Academy offers a limited number of financial awards for students who meet the artistic criteria of the Academy. Artistic scholarships are not awarded by application; they are granted at the sole discretion of Kirov Academy and are independent of student/parent requests. Financial awards are decided at the time of the audition for new students. Students receiving scholarship awards are expected to make early decisions about attendance. Financial awards are reviewed at the end of each semester during the year-round program to confirm continuation into the following semester. Financial awards may offset, fully or partially, artistic tuition, academic tuition, and room & board. Costs referred to as fees on the enrollment form are required of all students and are not offset by scholarship monies. Some scholarship money may be taxable. You may wish to consult your tax advisor.

 

Award recipients must show continued progress in all disciplines, have exemplary attendance, and demonstrate respect for and observance of academy rules and policies. Financial awards may be reduced or withdrawn at any time if a student disregards or is found in violation of any of the above standards. In particular, unexcused absences from any classes and any violation of the code of conduct may be cause for reduction or withdrawal of financial awards.

 

FINANCING/STUDENT LOANS

You may want to see the following webpages and inquire about financing your tuition: www.key.com/achieverloan and www.key.com/mpp