USA IBC International
Dance School
See and learn with ballet’s best
The USA IBC Dance School, to be held in conjunction with the 13th USA International Ballet Competition, June 11-26, 2027, provides the opportunity to both study with leading teachers and watch top dancers from around the globe perform.
The two-week session is geared toward intermediate to pre-professional ballet students ages 12-20 who have had a minimum of four consecutive years of ballet training, including 6 to 12 months of pointe for girls. Students receive elite training and have the opportunity to perform at the end of a challenging and fun-filled intensive.
Course Offerings and Curriculum:
Ballet, Contemporary, Pointe, Variations, Pas De Deux, Repertoire, Jazz, Lectures, Master Classes
Early Acceptance: November 1, 2026 – February 23, 2027
General Acceptance and Final Submission Deadline: February 24, 2027 – April 15, 2027
With enrollment capped at 150 students, we encourage dancers to apply early. Please review all the instructions below before beginning your application. We recommend preparing all the materials needed to complete your application before beginning the USA IBC International Dance School Application, Part 1.
Faculty
Charles Askegard
Director
2027 FACULTY
- Xiomara Reyes
- Rinat Imaev
- Petrusjka Broholm
- Zhanna Dubrovskaya
- Marcus Alford
- Maria Konrad
Important Dates & Sample Schedule
- November 1, 2026: Applications Open
- February 20, 2027: In-person audition
- February 23, 2027: Early acceptance deadline
- April 15, 2027: Final deadline to apply
- June 11, 2027: Arrival at Dance School
- June 26, 2027: Departure from Dance School
Sample Weekday
Breakfast
7:30-8:45
Ballet Technique
9:00-10:30
Pointe/Variations
10:45-11:45
Lunch
12:00-1:00
Contemporary/Jazz/Modern
1:00-2:30
Partnering/Choreography
2:30-4:30
Break and Dinner
4:30-6:00
Shuttles to Evening Performance
6:00-7:00
Evening Competition Performance
7:30
Weekend Activities
- Master classes
- Lectures
- Ice cream social
- Vendor Fair
- Optional Church Service
- Competition Performances
- Awards Gala
Tuition
On-Campus Students
- Tuition – $2,700
- Classes with renowned faculty and accompanists
- Housing in Belhaven University Residence Halls
- 3 meals a day
- Tickets to USA IBC evening performances
- Transportation to and from the airport, evening performances, and activities
- Vendor Fair
- Meet the competitors
Off-Campus Students
- Tuition – $1,700
- Classes with renowned faculty and accompanists
- 1 meal a day (lunch)
- Tickets to USA IBC evening performances
- Transportation to and from evening performances and activities
- Vendor Fair
- Meet the competitors
Information & FAQs
Questions may be addressed to Erin Fordice, USA IBC Dance School Administrator
Dance Facilities
All dance school classes will be held in Belhaven University’s state-of-the-art Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center.
Housing
All On-Campus students will stay on Belhaven University’s campus. Students will stay in double occupancy rooms in Lakeview Hall. Male access cards will not permit them on female halls and vice versa for all female students.
Counselors will stay in the Residence Halls with students.
Campus Security & Student Policies
Belhaven University Security Department provides a safe and secure campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Belhaven University Policies must be honored by all USA IBC Dance School Participants at all times.
Dining Information & Medical Clinic
Students will enjoy three meals a day served at Belhaven University’s Bailey Dining Commons in the McCravey-Triplett Student Center. Students will have a buffet-style experience and are allowed to try multiple meal options. Off-campus participants will receive lunch only.
A medical clinic is available to all dance school participants on a daily basis and is staffed with physicians, licensed nurses, and physical therapists.
Applications & Payment Deadlines
2027 deadlines information coming soon!
Dress Code, Packing List, & Rules
Classroom Dress
LADIES
- Black leotards-one piece, modestly cut
- Pink tights-to be worn under the leotard
- Pink ballet slippers and black or tan character shoes (character shoes are optional)
- Chiffon dance skirt (permissible only in some classes) and a character skirt (optional)
- Two pairs of pointe shoes are suggested
- Black footless tights or tightly fitted black capri-length jazz pants (to wear over leotard in modern & jazz)
- Jazz shoes (no sneakers)
- Hair neatly pulled up in a bun
GENTLEMEN
- White short-sleeved t-shirt and/or leotard
- Black tights
- White socks
- Black or white ballet shoes
- Jazz shoes (no sneakers)
Theater Dress
Theater attire for evening USA IBC performances should be dressy and modest. This includes slacks, dresses, skirts, nice shirts and blouses.
Campus Dress
Clothing worn around campus is casual but modest. A cover-up should always be worn over dance clothing when not in a studio.
Roommate Requests
Students will have the opportunity to request a roommate during Part 2 of their application. Roommate requests will be honored if requested mutually by two accepted students who are less than two years apart in age.
Travel Details
Students are required to arrive on the Belhaven University Campus between 8 AM and 3 PM on Friday, June 11, 2027, for dormitory move-in.
At the end of the USA IBC Dance School, students must depart from campus prior to 12 PM on Saturday, June 26, 2027.
Transportation from the Jackson- Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) to Belhaven University’s campus is available for each student arriving on Friday, June 11, 2027 and from Belhaven University’s campus to the airport for students departing the morning of Saturday, June 27, 2027. Students arriving late or departing early are responsible for their own transportation.
Detailed information will be available in the coming months.
Class Placement
Students will be pre-placed in levels based on their video audition. All faculty level placement decisions are FINAL.
Video Audition Instructions
You have selected to submit a video application. Please read the following instructions:
VIDEO GUIDELINES: Video auditions are a way for applicants to showcase their unique skills and talents. By executing the following criteria, we will be able to accurately assess where you are in your training.
- Your video must be less than 5 minutes in length.
- Please perform the required technical elements listed within an exercise/combination created by your teacher or yourself. Adapt where needed to meet your age and skill level.
- Only perform one side of each exercise/combination.
- Do not film into the mirror. The entire dancer should be visible throughout the video (no close-ups).
Attire:
Females– must wear pink tights that cover the entire leg and foot, pointe shoes (if applicable to age and skill level) and a leotard in a contrasting color from the background of studio. No costumes, skirts, or practice tutus may be worn.
Males — must wear black or white tights covering the entire leg and foot, ballet shoes, and solid color shirt in a contrasting color from the background of the studio.
- Group videos are permitted – see guidelines below.
REQUIRED TECHNICAL ELEMENTS:
Barre Technique – film profile :
- 1 Demi and 1 Grand Plie
- Tendu from 5th positions
- Fondu on releve
- Développé
- Grand Battement
Center:
- Grand Battement combination that includes Grand Battement front, side and back, and a Pirouette
- Tombe Pas De Bourree to 4th position, add Pirouette
- Petite Allegro that includes Changements, Glissade Jete Assemble with beats, Pas De Chat or Brise
- Grand Allegro
Female Only Pointe Work:
- Echappes from 5th position and add a Passe to Sous Sous 5th position;
- Pique to 1st Arabesque, Plie Pas De Bourre
- Pique/Chaine turns from the diagonal
Male Only:
- Sous Dous Entrechat Quatre, or Entrechat Six
- Sous Sous Tour En L’air
VIDEO FILE INSTRUCTIONS:
- MP4, MOV, or AVI
- No larger than 200MB
- Save as LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_VIDEO (SMITH_JANE_VIDEO)
- Clearly state your name and age at the beginning of the video.
Group video requirements: All students must complete Part I of their Dance School applications before submitting a group video. Groups may include up to 4 applicants at a time. Follow the instructions below:
- Ensure that each student states his/her name and age at the beginning of the video
- Please have each student wearing a different colored leotard and is clearly numbered on the front and back of the dancer.
- Save your videos as LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_DANCER# (SMITH_JANE_#3)
Feel free to email Erin Fordice, Dance School Administrator, ids@usaibc.com, if you have questions concerning the application process.
In-Person Audition
Date and time: Saturday, February 20, 2027, in the afternoon. Erin Fordice will contact you to confirm your time slot. Space is limited and is offered first come, first served based on the date your application is submitted.
Location: Arts Center of Mississippi, 201 E Pascagoula St, Jackson, MS 39201
What to wear
- Females: Pink tights covering the entire leg and foot, pointe shoes (if appropriate for your age and skill level), and a leotard. Costumes, skirts, and practice tutus are not allowed.
- Males: Black or white tights covering the entire leg and foot, ballet shoes, and a solid-color shirt.
Mississippi Residents Scholarships
Scholarships for Mississippi Residents
A limited number of scholarships are available to cover tuition for the USA IBC International Dance School. Scholarships are open to Mississippi residents only.
To be considered, you must complete the application before February 20, 2027, and attend the in-person audition on February 20, 2027, at the Arts Center of Mississippi.
Please note that scholarships do not cover room and board. On-campus room and board is $1,000.
In your application, please select the “In Person Audition” option under Audition Method