USA IBC International Dance School application now open

The USA IBC International Dance School welcomes an eminent international faculty to Jackson June 11-26, 2027, for a two-week dance intensive running concurrently with the 13th USA International Ballet Competition.

Targeted to ballet students between ages 12 and 20, the school is set to enroll 150 students who have a minimum of four years of ballet (including one year of pointe for girls). All classes will be held in the state-of-the-art dance studios of Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center at Belhaven University. Housing is available on the Belhaven University Campus and day commuters are welcome too.

Directing the 2027 school is Charles Askegard, formerly a soloist and principal dancer with American Ballet Theater and New York City Ballet, now the rehearsal director for the Philadelphia Ballet. Askegard has assembled a stellar faculty with training in Russian, American, Bournonville and other ballet styles, as well as modern and jazz. Students will also get the opportunity to take master classes from ballet greats such as John Meehan and other members of the USA IBC jury.

Faculty members include: Charles Askegard, Petrusjka Broholm, Zhanna Dubrovskaya, Xiomara Reyes, Rinat Imaev, Maria Konrad, and Marcus Alford.

The USA IBC International Dance School offers students the unique opportunity to see world-class dance performances during the three rounds of the competition. “Seeing competitors perform nightly is the crown jewel of attending,” Mona Nicholas, USA IBC Executive Director notes. “It’s enthralling. It’s uplifting, and it gives students an idea of the level of commitment it takes to dance professionally.”

Click here for more information and to apply. The final deadline for application is April 15, 2027. Students are encouraged to apply early since there is a cap at 150 students.