For Milwaukee Ballet II member Fayeth Hartman, attending Milwaukee Ballet Faculty & Academy’s Pre-Skilled Program was an apparent alternative to assist obtain her aim of turning into knowledgeable dancer. She adopted within the footsteps of her older brother, who had attended the summer time intensive in 2017 after which joined Milwaukee Ballet II. “He realized that the PPP could be match for my coaching. So, he and I started to marketing campaign our dad and mom to permit me to maneuver right here.” PPP was not a tough promote. Whereas many academies promise to function pipelines to second and foremost corporations, the Rolando Yanes Pre-Skilled Program has the metrics to show it. Forty-two p.c of MBII artists are PPP alumni, and greater than 50 p.c of Milwaukee Ballet’s dancers had been promoted from MBII. Beneath the management of Tatiana Jouravel-Malinkine, head of coaching for the Pre-Skilled and Academy divisions, PPP additionally offers college students with the drive and abilities to pursue careers at ballet corporations globally, in addition to different pathways within the arts, together with collegiate dance coaching, business dance, and theatrical alternatives.
This system’s schedule is fastidiously crafted to set dancers up for skilled life. Mornings would possibly embody Pilates, adopted by ballet approach, pointe, variations, repertoire, and a mode class like flamenco, hip hop, or musical theater. This system dimension is small, permitting dancers to obtain extremely individualized teaching. Although many contributors have already graduated from highschool or are partaking in impartial research to finish their lecturers, all PPP college students profit from further courses, like dance historical past, vitamin, profession seminars, and psychological well being workshops.
Stage expertise is a key a part of the curriculum. Along with understudying or taking part in MBII and main-company productions, PPP college students hone their artistry by studying and performing skilled repertoire. Dancing Cinderella Waltz, choreographed by Milwaukee Ballet creative director Michael Pink, gave Hartman a window into firm life. “I liked the music and the choreography. It made me really feel like knowledgeable dancer. I couldn’t cease smiling whereas I used to be performing it,” she says.
Hartman notes that every little thing she desires to do outdoors of the state-of-the-art Baumgartner Heart for Dance is conveniently situated inside strolling distance, and the neighborhood surrounding Milwaukee Ballet boasts a thriving arts neighborhood. Now as an MBII dancer, Hartman is aware of that her experiences at PPP readied her for the following step whereas supporting her long-term development. “This system trains you to be one of the best dancer you will be in your approach and artistry,” she says, whereas offering “the construction and self-discipline wanted to progress your coaching to be ready to enter the skilled world.”
Program dimension: Two cohorts of 20 dancers every. Most college students progress on a two-year observe.
Age vary: Most PPP college students are 15–21.
Efficiency alternatives: Twice a yr in devoted showcases (in late fall and spring) within the Baumgartner Heart’s WE Energies Basis Efficiency Studio. College students even have the chance to audition for roles in MB main-stage productions all through the season and could also be invited to carry out and understudy for MBII productions.
Tuition: $7,848 for the 2025–26 faculty yr (9 month-to-month funds of $872), plus a one-time $100 registration price. Contains all courses, rehearsals, costumes, and efficiency participation. Scholarships and monetary help can be found, and college students are inspired to use.
Room/board: College students should safe their very own housing, meals, transportation, dance apparel, and footwear.
Each day schedule: Round eight hours of day by day coaching and rehearsal time. Pattern schedule contains: 8:15–9:15 am, Pilates (choose days); 9:30–11 am, ballet; 11:15 am–12:15 pm, pointe or pas de deux; 12:15–1 pm, lunch break; 1–2 pm, repertoire; 2:15–3:15 pm, fashion class (jazz, modern, dance historical past, and many others.).
Alumni: Other than becoming a member of MBII or Milwaukee Ballet, different alumni have joined corporations and esteemed applications across the U.S., together with Charlotte Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Indianapolis Ballet, Minnesota Ballet, Portland Ballet, San Francisco Ballet Faculty, Faculty of American Ballet, College of Cincinnati School-Conservatory of Music, and Butler College, in addition to Queensland Ballet and European ballet corporations. Moreover, graduates have labored with Disney and Common Studios and in different business dance avenues.
Further alternatives: Psychological well being workshops in partnership with New Insights Coaching and Consulting and its licensed psychologists; vitamin workshops and bodily remedy providers can be found all year long in partnership with Froedtert Sports activities Medication and the Medical School of Wisconsin.
Vital dates in 2025: March 22: 2025–26 PPP in-person audition; April 24 and 25: Expertise Days (superior registration required); April 28: Video audition deadline; Could 9: College students will probably be contacted with their acceptance and registration supplies by this date. September tuition is due on the time of registration; June: On-line purposes for monetary help for 2025–26 will probably be out there; August 1: Registration deadline.
For extra details about creating your approach and artistry on the Rolando Yanes Pre-Skilled Program, click on right here.
