We are here not to become just great dancers but great people.
Professional Dancers
Brandon Ballet is always open to professionals looking to take class or join the company! Dancers at the professional level should be at least 18 years of age well-trained in classical ballet technique, variations, and pointe (for women only), partnering (for men).
Professional dancers in the Brandon Ballet have a unique opportunity to be featured in principal roles in full-length ballets as well as receive individualized training and coaching for artistic and personal growth. We currently offer two tiers of professional contracts: Professional Artist and Professional Trainee. Though all professional dancers train with us from 12-4 Tuesday – Friday, each tier is different.
Professional Artists are paid per performance throughout the season and are given lead roles in full-length ballets and events. Each dancer’s specific income is negotiated with the Artistic and Executive director and is based off of his or her previous training, performance experience, and overall maturity as a dancer.
Professional Trainees are dancers who have recently graduated high school or any Pre-Professional program and wish to join us in a professional capacity. These dancers are also considered for principal roles, however they are unpaid. This position is meant to be an interim position that serves as a transition from student to professional. There is no fee to dance with us as a Professional Trainee, however, as previously stated, trainees train and perform without compensation. Once the first half of the season is complete, Professional Trainees may opt to negotiate a position as a Professional Artist.
What’s the first step?
If you are interested in joining our Professional Company, the first step is to audition!
You’ll need to complete the Registration and Release Form both found at the bottom of this section. Dancers auditioning as Professional Artists DO NOT need to pay an audition fee.
Upcoming Audition:
DATE AND TIME TBA
Video Auditions:
If you would like to submit a video audition, please send a link to an unlisted Youtube or Vimeo video that contains the following to dance@brandonballet.org
Pointework at the Barre
– Plies
– Tendues
– Degages
– Rond de jambe
– Grand battement
Center Pointe Work
– Adagio
– Pirouette
– Petite & Grand Allegro
– Pique turns/fouette turns
Note: International applicants must show proof of being able to work in the Unites States prior to being hired. Brandon Ballet cannot assist with Visa sponsorship or housing assistance at this time.
If you are unable to attend the audition. Please see video requirements above.
Pre-Professional Program
The Brandon Ballet Pre-Professional Training Program is designed for dancers age 14 and above. It is unique in that each dancer is provided with individual attention, college and career guidance, along with their daily instruction in technique, pointe, variations, Pilates and other various classes designed to support their individual goals. Our Assistant Artistic Director, Rehearsal Director, and select Guest Teachers will mentor each participant providing a holistic approach to educating each dancer. The program will provide the following structure and educational components:
Benefits of the Brandon Ballet Pre-Professional Program
- Program Structure: Format is structured so the dancer receives the highest level of training and coaching in a controlled and small environment guaranteeing individualized tracking of physical and emotional development. Dancers will train side-by-side with professional dancers to challenge and fully prepare them for their desired profession.
- Mentoring: Bi-monthly mentoring meetings to enhance performance abilities, assist with future career/collegiate planning, and to shape positive artistic temperament.
- Career Guidance (Collegiate & Performance): Complete career planning for success at every stage of a dancer’s journey. Assistance in pursuing both a professional performing career and collegiate education in the field of dance or an outside field including: resumes, website building, cover letters, college essay and grant writing, FASFA preparation, audition advising and artistic statement.
- Academic Excellence: Highly-focused students can attend home school programs or traditional public school in the mornings combined with a virtual learning program of the family’s choosing, while committing to ballet training each afternoon.
- Personal Marketing and Promotion: Our program supports the highest level of success for each dancer by providing instruction and guidance with personal website design, audition/social media photography, and creating dance reels for marketing. Additionally, dancers have the option to participate in select ballet competitions, requiring additional January coaching (extra available for additional fee).
- Community Outreach: Dancers have the opportunity and honor to participate in community events, appearances, and performances throughout the season.
- Strength Training & Conditioning: Working with a Stott Pilates certified teacher, dancers receive at least 15 Pilates sessions per season which are tailored to assist in injury prevention and overall conditioning to support a full-time performing dancer.
This program is not just for dancers who know they want to join a professional company, it’s also for dancers who want to find out if they want to join a professional company. This will show them the work involved and the dedication it takes to succeed.
Ready to join the Brandon Ballet Pre-Professional Program?
What’s the first step?
If you are interested in joining our Pre-professional Company, the first step is to register for our audition! Our upcoming auditions are:
Date and Time TBA
Location: The Dance Center, Home of the Brandon Ballet
161 E. Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, FL 33511
You’ll need to complete the release form and pay the audition fee, both found at the bottom of this page.
Student Company
For dancers ages 9-18
The dancers in our student company make up the bulk of Brandon Ballet! In addition to their weekly classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, and more, they also perform alongside the Pre-Professional and Professional artists of Brandon Ballet in just about every performance throughout the season. We pride ourselves on providing several performance opportunities throughout each season, including but not limited to: Nutcracker in December, two large productions in the spring, and several outreach performances. It is this performance experience that sets dancers of Brandon Ballet apart. The professionalism gained is priceless whether the pursuing a professional career in dance or not.
How do I join for the 2023-2024 Season?
Student company auditions will be held in August! Auditions will consist of a full ballet/pointe class. Results will be sent via email in the week following the audition.
Brandon Ballet Student Company Auditions
Date TBA
12 & Under: Time TBA
12 & up (Int/Adv): Time TBA
*Beg./Int. Audition includes TDC dancers who meet at least TWO of the following requirements:
– Currently enrolled in Ballet 2/3 and above
– Currently enrolled in Pre-pointe or above
– At least 9 years of age
** Intermediate audition includes dancers who meet at least TWO of the following requirements:
-Currently enrolled in Ballet 3/4 and above
– Currently enrolled in Pointe 1 and above
– At least 12 years of age
*Advanced audition includes advanced dancers who meet at least TWO of the following requirements:
– Currently enrolled in Advanced Pointe
– At least 13 years of age
OR
Advanced dancers who wish to audition for the Pre-Professional Program or perform with Brandon Ballet at the Professional level.
Location: The Dance Center, Home of the Brandon Ballet | 161 E Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, FL 33511
If accepted into the company, there will be a MANDATORY parent meeting.
What to Expect
Dancing with Brandon Ballet is a privilege and a serious time commitment. In order to prepare you and your dancer ahead of time, we’re providing relevant scheduling and financial information here. Please feel free to email us at [dance@brandonballet.org] if you have any questions or concerns.
Time Commitment
Friday evening rehearsals 6:30-9pm
Saturday company class and rehearsals 9:30a – 5p
Rehearsals begin after Labor Day.
Dancers will not always be called for the entirety of aforementioned rehearsal times. However, as we approach performances, dancers will be called and expected to attend ALL rehearsals.
Dancers MAY NOT be absent from rehearsals in the month prior to a performance.
At the start of the season, all dancers must submit a conflict form for the season with expected dates of absence from August-May. This is a way to inform Artistic and Executive Staff of any prior commitments. Excessive absences will result in either a reduction of roles or removal from the performance.
Financial Committment
All dancers in Brandon Ballet are responsible for for Company Dues and raising a small portion of our sponsorships for the season. For clarity, we’ve included a list of term definitions.
Company Dues & Fees are meant to be paid by the dancer’s parents and function as payment to join and perform with the company.
Sponsorships are NOT intended to be paid by the dancer’s parents. Each dancer is responsible for reaching out to local businesses, family members, etc. to “sponsor” their participation with Brandon Ballet for a specific amount, depending on their company level. While sponsorships are not meant to be paid by dancer’s parents, parents WILL be responsible for any sponsorship dues that were not raised.
Advertisement Fees are similar to sponsorships. Each dancer is responsible for obtaining program advertisements for the season. Any unsold advertisements must be paid by the dancer’s parents.
