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Dance

 

Vision Statement

We seek to sustain, elevate, and define the future of ballet through our unique and exceptional partnership.

Mission and Purpose Statement

The Boston Ballet/Walnut Hill partnership centers the future of dance, and the dancer of the future. We provide an environment where the professional dancer of the future will flourish. Our aim is to develop a truly exceptional dancer with tremendous intellect who will see ballet as a reflection of and a tool to advance our society. We are the only program in the world that combines a professional ballet company with a college preparatory academic experience within a premier high school for the arts.

We aim to develop a complete dance artist, both as a dancer (interpretive artist) and choreographer (creative artist). We are dedicated to developing a complete person, with strong emotional intelligence and cultural competencies. This synergistic approach will give each of our dancers a next-generation professional toolkit to enter the dance world. Our program makes it unnecessary for our dancers to pursue any college or conservatory training in order to enter a professional company.

From Studio to Stage

A Global Influence

During their senior year, Professional Division students are evaluated for acceptance into Boston Ballet School’s Graduate Program. Students also have the opportunity to audition for Boston Ballet II, Boston Ballet’s second company, upon graduation.

The Program

2023–24 Visiting Artists Series

February 2024 

Professional Division students will watch a portion of Mikko Nissinen’s Raymonda, and a discussion with Mikko surrounding his choice to stage this iconic work.

March 2, 2024

Students will attend Boston Ballet’s Winter Experience at the Citizen’s Bank Opera House and have an exclusive opportunity to attend company class beforehand. Professional Division students have the exclusive benefit of attending or performing (program dependent) in all Boston Ballet performances with their peers and faculty.

March 6, 2024 

Boston Ballet’s Artistic Director, Mikko Nissinen, will lead a master class for Professional Division L3 and M2 students, and then host a talk back Q&A session with all students afterwards. Mikko will discuss his vision for the Professional Division and its connection to Boston Ballet.

March 30, 2024

Professional Division students will attend a special performance of Boston Ballet II and Graduate Program students, lead by Associate Director Joan Boada (BBII) and Rehearsal Director Kathleen Mitchell (Graduate). This performance showcases the “dancers of tomorrow” and provides great inspiration to the Professional Division students on what could come next for them in their training journey.

April 6, 2024

Choreographer and stager, Ken Ossola, will lead a workshop for Professional Division students at Walnut Hill. Ken is a former Nederlands Dans Theatre dancer who worked directly with Jiří Kylián, veteran contemporary dance choreographer who has created over 100 works. Ken Ossola is staging multiple Kylián works for Boston Ballet and is excited to bring his talent and expertise to Professional Division students.  

April 25, 2024

Students will attend Boston Ballet’s performance of Carmen on opening night at the Citizen’s Bank Opera House. Professional Division students have the exclusive benefit of attending or performing (program dependent) in all Boston Ballet performances with their peers and faculty.

May 2024

Students will attend Boston Ballet’s performance of Spring Experience at the Citizen’s Bank Opera House. Professional Division students have the exclusive benefit of attending or performing (program dependent) in all Boston Ballet performances with their peers and faculty.

Watch Professional Division Dancers

For more videos, including from other majors, visit our main Watch Walnut Hill page.

Meet the Boston Ballet School Faculty

Joan Boada

Joan Boada

Boston Ballet School Faculty
Rie Ichikawa

Rie Ichikawa

Boston Ballet School Faculty
Cynthia Lucas

Cynthia Lucas

Boston Ballet School Faculty
Harry Moser

Harry Moser

Boston Ballet School Faculty
Alla Nikitina

Alla Nikitina

Boston Ballet School Faculty

Course Catalog

Steps to Apply