The Kennedy Center Youth Masterclass Series offers aspiring young dancers the unique opportunity to learn from nationally and internationally recognized ballet companies performing this season at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, students will be given opportunities for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of a performance career through attending optional open rehearsals and meeting and dancing with other aspiring students from the DMV area and beyond.

Admission to the series is by audition only, chosen by a diverse panel of ballet professionals. Dancers ages 10-14 years old who have taken at least 3 years of ballet are welcome to apply. Students accepted who choose to take part in the program are expected to commit to the required schedule. Please coordinate and communicate with your regular instructors and studios to make sure that, if accepted, you are able to attend. Auditions will be held at the Kennedy Center on Sunday, October 12, 2025. Please see the Application Information page for details.

The focus of this program is master classes led by teachers from select major ballet and contemporary dance companies performing at the Kennedy Center each season. These classes are typically taught by company members such as ballet masters/mistresses, principal or soloist dancers, company teachers, and, occasionally, artistic directors; instructors are determined by each company. The Youth Masterclass Series aims to be a stepping stone for the Kennedy Center’s high school career development programs, and provides students the opportunity to try on multiple dance styles before specializing in one technique.

2025-2026 Master Class Schedule:

• Cincinnati Ballet
• American Ballet Theatre
• San Francisco Ballet
• New York City Ballet

*Specific dates/times to be shared with accepted students.

Program Fee

Tuition: $100

Audition Date and Location

Sunday, October 12, 2025 – 9:00AM-10:30AM and 11:00AM-12:30PM

The Kennedy Center
2700 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20566

Check in will be outside Studio F in the REACH. Please enter through the REACH Welcome Pavilion.

Audition will consist of a 90 minute ballet class. Students will sign-up for a specific time slot in the application. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your assigned audition time dressed for the audition. Only auditioning students are allowed in the studio. Students will be notified of results as soon as possible following the audition.

Audition Fee: $25, payable by cash or check on site. We are unable to collect payment via credit card.

Eligibility:

Students should be prepared to show proof of age and grade level at the audition. The Youth Masterclass Series is open to all ballet students who:

• Are ages 10-14 and are NOT currently enrolled in high school as of September 1, 2025
• Have had a minimum of 3 years of ballet training

Kennedy Center Dance Education is committed to working with students and families to make high-level dance education affordable for all, regardless of their financial situation. If the cost of the program is prohibitive to you, please contact Kaitlyn Tureaud at [email protected]. We will be glad to work with you on an individual basis.

The Vice President of Education is generously endowed by the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation.

Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Genesis Inspiration Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;

Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..

The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.