Pre-Professional Summer Dance Intensive August 4–21, 2025
For dedicated dancers under age 18
Valley Academy for the Arts proudly presents its Pre-Professional Summer Dance Intensive, a three-week training experience designed for serious young dancers who are committed to advancing their technical skill, artistic expression, and overall understanding of the art form.This intensive is ideal for students who aspire to pursue ballet at a pre-professional or collegiate level, or who are seeking a summer program that provides both artistic inspiration and personal growth in a structured, supportive setting.
Program Highlights:
Enrollment is limited to ensure personalized instruction.
Early registration is recommended.
For placement recommendations or more information, please contact our office.
Valley Academy for the Arts proudly presents its Pre-Professional Summer Dance Intensive, a three-week training experience designed for serious young dancers who are committed to advancing their technical skill, artistic expression, and overall understanding of the art form.This intensive is ideal for students who aspire to pursue ballet at a pre-professional or collegiate level, or who are seeking a summer program that provides both artistic inspiration and personal growth in a structured, supportive setting.
Program Highlights:
- Daily Ballet Technique & Pointe
Foundational and advanced classes led by experienced instructors and professional dancers that build strength, precision, and artistry. - Guest Faculty from the Minnesota Ballet
Students will train under the guidance of distinguished artists from the Minnesota Ballet, gaining insight into the rigor and excellence of professional company life. - Conditioning & Injury Prevention
Physiotherapy dance specialists will lead sessions on safe training practices, body mechanics, and injury prevention to support dancer wellness and longevity. - Partnering, Variations, & Repertoire
Students will be introduced to partnering work and classical variations, encouraging musicality, coordination, and performance confidence. - Dance Education & Career Readiness Lectures
Guest speakers will offer tools and guidance on topics such as audition preparation, dance science, mental resilience, and navigating professional opportunities. - Supportive Environment for Growth
Small class sizes allow for individualized feedback and mentorship. Dancers are challenged in a nurturing environment that values hard work, collaboration, and joy in the process.
- Enhances technical proficiency and physical conditioning
- Builds confidence, discipline, and artistic presence
- Connects students with professional dancers and mentors
- Provides a clear view of what is required in advanced training and performance
- Encourages healthy practices that support long-term success in dance
Enrollment is limited to ensure personalized instruction.
Early registration is recommended.
For placement recommendations or more information, please contact our office.
Two Enrollment Options:
Pre-Professional Intensive for Ballet 3 and 4 Students:
August 4 - 21
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Tuition: $550.00 for students enrolled at Valley Academy
$1200.00 for students not enrolled at Valley Academy
Pre-Professional Intensive for Ballet 5 and above:
August 4 - 21
9:00 am - 5:15 pm
Tuition $650.00 for students enrolled at Valley Academy
$1500.00 for students not enrolled at Valley Academy
Program valued at over $3000.00.
August 4 - 21
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Tuition: $550.00 for students enrolled at Valley Academy
$1200.00 for students not enrolled at Valley Academy
Pre-Professional Intensive for Ballet 5 and above:
August 4 - 21
9:00 am - 5:15 pm
Tuition $650.00 for students enrolled at Valley Academy
$1500.00 for students not enrolled at Valley Academy
Program valued at over $3000.00.
Dance Intensive Faculty
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Jennifer Miller received her training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet under Marcia Dale Weary, as well as at summer intensives at Joffrey Ballet and on scholarship with San Francisco Ballet. She was a trainee with the Milwaukee Ballet and has risen through the ranks to become a leading artist. During her career Ms. Miller has danced a variety of roles in ballets such as Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Dracula, Romeo & Julliet , The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Giselle. She has also performed in works by Trey McIntyre, Choo San Goh, George Balanchine, Michael Pink, Anthony Tudor and Gerald Arpino among others. Ms. Miller also teaches with the Milwaukee Ballet School, and for the past 13 years with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s summer program. As a choreographer, four of her ballets have adjudicated for the Northeast Regional Dance of America; one of which earned her the Monticello award for emerging female choreographer. In 2005, Ms. Miller danced in the inaugural season of the Trey McIntyre Project, performing in places such as White Oak, Vail International Dance Festival, and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Ms. Miller is currently the ballet mistress for Minnesota Ballet
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Jessica Lopes: Brazilian born, Jessica began her professional ballet training in 2014 at Escola de Dança Alice Arja, until joining and graduating Miami City Ballet’s Pre-Professional Program in 2016. After her time in Miami she returned to Brazil and joined Cia de Ballet do Rio de Janeiro as a Corps de Ballet member. Jessica returned to the states in 2017 joining the Milwaukee Ballet 2 Program where she spent two seasons training and performing alongside their main company. During her time with Milwaukee’s second company Jessica had the opportunity to perform in ballets such as Michael Pink’s Swan Lake and Dracula, and receiving soloist casting in Milwaukee Ballet’s “Genesis; Choreographic Competition” as well as “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. In 2019 Jessica joined American Midwest ballet for three seasons, including a digital series during the lockdown where Mrs. Lopes had the pleasure to perform Frank Chavez's "If Only” with her husband, Isaac. This is Jessica’s third season with Minnesota Ballet and her second season as a full company dancer.
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Isaac Sharratt began his ballet training in Tucson, Arizona, training first at Tucson Regional Ballet and then moving to Ballet Tucson in 2004. Mr. Sharratt rose from Ballet Tucson’s academy into the company at the age of 16, where he spent three more years. He moved from Ballet Tucson in 2008 to join the Milwaukee Ballet II program, spending only one year in the program before being asked into the company. During his ten years with Milwaukee Ballet, Mr. Sharratt was cast in several world premiere full-length ballets by Michael Pink, doing lead roles in many and playing the title role in Michael Pink’s Beauty and the Beast. Most recently Mr. Sharratt danced with American Midwest Ballet from its 2019-2022 seasons. Mr. Sharratt is an aspiring choreographer, having set many pieces on Milwaukee Ballet’s second and main companies. He was given the opportunity to choreograph on the main company most recently in 2018, as well as having choreographed on Ballet Minnesota in 2017, and various solos for both domestic and international competition use.
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Katharina Abderholden began dancing at a young age, primarily focusing on ballet technique. Abderholden graduated with a BFA in contemporary dance technique and choreography. She has performed works choreographed by Mark Morris and Arnie Zane, as well as Danceworks Milwaukee (WI), Le Marchepied (CH), Lake Arts Project (MN), Stephen Kowplowitz (USA), and Cie Utilité Publique(CH). Katharina’s recent work is focused on improvisation with collaborative artists and teaching at Renaissance School for the Arts/Kaleidoscope Academy. She looks forward to engaging young artists in the disciplines of creative practice and the lifelong benefits of the arts in our lives.
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Anne Marie Abderholden was born in Holland and spent most of her childhood in Switzerland. At age seven, she joined the Opera Ballet School in Zurich. After a nine-year professional ballet career, Anne Marie completed an advanced degree in classical ballet (extended Vaganova) pedagogy from the Music College in Cologne, Germany. She taught at the Opera Ballet School in Zurich, at the Swiss School for Professional Dancers, and at the Theater Ballet School in Krefeld and Monchengladbach, Germany. In 1991 she moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where she taught for the Monona Academy of Dance. She was a choreographer for the Wisconsin Dance Ensemble and the Performing Arts for Children. In 2002 Anne Marie founded Valley Academy for the Arts in Neenah, WI. Anne Marie currently holds positions on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Dance Council and the Neenah Arts Council. Many of Anne Marie's students have been accepted into prestigious programs such as Kirov Academy Washington DC, The Nutmeg Conservatory, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, Bolshoi Academy, and the Milwaukee Ballet summer program. In addition, many have gone on to acclaimed college dance programs and professional dance careers.
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