It seems like just days ago we were welcoming Summer Intensive students to Charlotte Ballet for five weeks. Training six days a week, dancers ages 11-22 have worked with renowned resident and guest teachers who invest in each dancer’s artistic growth.

We asked three dancers to tell us about their favorite parts of the summer thus far. These dancers will also become familiar faces in the 2016/2017 Charlotte Ballet Season as they stay with us in the Pre-Professional Division. Want to join them? We’re accepting video auditions for the program through August.

SARAH BOWDOIN

22 | Kingwood, TX

“This summer, I have especially enjoyed the diverse styles and repertoire that is offered to us at Charlotte Ballet. It was both challenging and rewarding to be able to go from a classical ballet rehearsal one minute into choreography with Dwight Rhoden the next. I love that so much value is placed on becoming well-rounded, versatile dancers.”

ROREY FRASER

17 | Buffalo, NY

“One of my favorite faculty members has to be Sarkis Kaltakhtchian. His morning class gets you on your leg and sets you up for a long day of rehearsals whether it’s ballroom, Dwight Rhoden rep, jazz or ballet. He’s an inspiring and motivating teacher that pushes you to be the best version of yourself.”

DANIEL FRANKLIN

19| Akron, PA

“My favorite thing so far this summer was the opportunity to work with Dwight Rhoden. He is really meticulous in what he wants from us as dancers and what he’s trying to get out of us. Working with Dwight was inspiring because it brought out a feeling of movement in me that I wasn’t quite sure I had or knew how to do. But, it felt natural and that was kind of an odd and somewhat unique experience for me as a dancer because it’s not movement that I had been used to, or knew how to do naturally.”