A ballet dancer in a pink tutu performing a high leg extension with arms raised, wearing a lace top and pointe shoes, against a dark background with red and purple lighting.

ArtéBallét®

ArtéBallét®

Winter Intensive

Winter Intensive

ArtéBallét®— Europe’s Boutique Intermediate Winter Ballet Intensive

70% Sold Out

For Intermediate Vocational, Recreational & Adult Dancers • Open Admission

Designed for dancers seeking more than just another winter intensive. AÉBI is a carefully curated training experience centered around refined coaching, artistic depth, meaningful progress, and the rare individual guidance needed to grow far beyond technique alone.

27 – 30 December, 2026

Enroll Now!
FAQ
The logo of Gaynor Minden, a New York-based company established in 1993.

𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐮𝐭𝐮 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 • 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕

ArtéBallét in Numbers
A Curated International Winter Experience in Amsterdam for Those Passionate About Ballet.
0 Continents Represented
0 Nationalities Welcomed
0 Hours of Immersive Winter Training
0 Culminating Studio Performance
Winter Intensive

Four Days.
Fully Immersed.

Train with Alysson Rocha, Head of the Professional Division at Oklahoma City Ballet School, through focused classical ballet training, pointe or men's technique, and classical repertoire. In the afternoons, explore a different side of your artistry through Arté ChoreoLab, guided by acclaimed choreographic duo Joost Lucas-Verhaar and Mariëlle Lucas-Verhaar, where movement, creativity, and individual expression come together in an original creation for the final studio performance.

An exceptional four-day experience where classical excellence meets artistic discovery, created for dedicated intermediate dancers ready to grow, create, and perform.

Train→ Create→ Perform→ Be Seen
One Complete Artistic Experience

Four-Day Winter Intensive

27–30 December 2026 · Amsterdam

4 Days 24–25 Hours Train · Create · Perform
01Daily Ballet Technique
02Pointe & Men's Technique
03Classical Variations & Repertoire
04Arté ChoreoLab
05Contemporary Repertoire & Creation
06Live Music
07Distinguished Guest Faculty
08Final Studio Performance
The Arté ChoreoLab Experience

Beyond Technique.
Into Artistry.

Begin each day immersed in classical ballet, classical variations and repertoire, guided by distinguished faculty who bring professional experience and individual artistic insight into the studio.

Then enter Arté ChoreoLab, where movement becomes expression. Explore contemporary repertoire, interpretation, and the creative process before bringing the repertoire to life in a final studio performance.

Explore→ Create→ Perform
Beyond the Studio

Be Seen.
Be Discovered.

Your next opportunity could begin here. Throughout the Winter Intensive, all vocational, recreational, and adult dancers may be considered for scholarships, scouting opportunities, direct admission to future ArtéBallét programs, and selected opportunities with our international partners.

Whether you are pursuing a professional pathway or dancing for the love of the art, your dedication and individuality deserve to be seen. Recreational and adult dancers are welcome, with individual opportunities subject to their respective eligibility criteria.

01
Scholarships & Awards Opportunities to be considered for selected scholarships and awards from ArtéBallét and participating partners.
02
Direct Summer Intensive Admission Selected dancers may receive direct admission or scholarship opportunities for a future ArtéBallét Summer Intensive.
03
ArtéBallét Competition Direct Entry The possibility of receiving direct entry to the ArtéBallét Competition, subject to eligibility and selection.
04
International Partner Opportunities Selected scouting, scholarships, direct entries, and artistic opportunities offered through participating partner programs.

Opportunities are selective and not guaranteed. Availability and eligibility vary by program and participating partner.

Designed for dedicated intermediate dancers, including recreational and adult dancers, who want to challenge themselves, deepen their artistry, experience performing, and become part of the ArtéBallét community.

Apply for Winter Intensive →
Intermediate Winter Intensive 2026

Four Days.
An Experience That Stays.

The training. The artistry. The people you meet. The moment you step onto the stage. And perhaps an opportunity you never expected. Make these four days part of your story.

Faculty Associated With

Alysson Rocha Alysson Rocha Alysson Rocha
Ballet Technique · Pointe & Men's Technique · Classical Variations

Alysson Rocha brings an exceptional international pedigree to ArtéBallét. Currently Head of the Professional Division at Oklahoma City Ballet’s Yvonne Chouteau School, he previously served as First Ballet Master at Ballett Dortmund and is a distinguished Youth America Grand Prix judge and instructor. His international teaching and coaching career has brought him to leading institutions including The Royal Ballet, European School of Ballet, Ballet de l’Opéra de Bordeaux, and Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro.

With more than a decade at Ballett Dortmund, Rocha has worked across major classical and contemporary repertoire as a dancer, ballet master, coach, and répétiteur, bringing a rare depth of professional experience and artistic refinement to the next generation of dancers.

Oklahoma City Ballet Faculty ArtéBallét Head of Professional Division
Oklahoma City Ballet’s Yvonne Chouteau School
YAGP Faculty ArtéBallét Faculty & Jury Member
YAGP/Youth America Grand Prix
Ballett Dortmund Faculty ArtéBallét Former First Ballet Master
Ballett Dortmund
Joost Verhaar
Joost Verhaar-Lucas Joost Verhaar-Lucas Joost Verhaar-Lucas
Choreographer · Arté Choreolab

Joost Verhaar-Lucas received his early training at the prestigious Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, laying the foundation for a multifaceted career as a performer, choreographer, and educator. Throughout his artistic journey, he has worked across an exceptional range of disciplines, from classical ballet and contemporary dance to jazz, musical theatre, and commercial performance. His professional credits include collaborations with the Dutch National Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, Jiří Kylián's Kinderspelen and Bella Figura, and Philip Taylor's Rainbow Messengers in Germany. Internationally respected for his versatility, dynamic teaching style, and commitment to nurturing artistic growth.

Creating Art Productions logo Founder & Artistic Director
Creating Art Productions
Royal Conservatory logo Studied at
Royal Conservatory, The Hague
Marielle Lucas-Verhaar
Mariëlle Lucas-Verhaar Mariëlle Lucas-Verhaar Mariëlle Lucas-Verhaar
Choreographer · Arté Choreolab

Mariëlle Lucas-Verhaar received her professional training at the Fontys School of Fine and Performing Arts before further refining her artistry at the internationally respected Opus Ballet in Florence, Italy. Since graduating, she has built a multifaceted career as a dancer, choreographer, educator, and mentor. Celebrated for her thoughtful artistic voice and passion for storytelling, she creates work that explores meaningful social themes while fostering genuine connection and emotional authenticity. As an educator, she is dedicated to developing well-rounded artists, integrating technical training, creativity, and personal growth into her teaching philosophy. Through her choreography, coaching, and mentorship, she continues to inspire dancers to grow with confidence, artistry, and purpose.

Creating Art Productions logo Founder & Artistic Director
Creating Art Productions
Opus Ballet logo Studied at
Opus Ballet Company

Our Winter Home
ICK/Space for Dance Art

The Winter Intensive takes place at ICK Dans Amsterdam, where dancers train in a spacious 246 m² professional dance studio designed for intensive movement and creation. With natural daylight, automated air treatment, and a high-end LED ceiling, the studio provides an exceptional setting for four fully immersive days of training and repertoire.

ICK Dans Amsterdam · Amsterdam, The Netherlands

An empty, modern dance or event studio with a polished floor, black curtains along the sides, a plain white wall at the back, and ceiling lights.
Enrollment & Registration

Register With
Intention

The ArtéBallét Intermediate Program is designed for dedicated vocational, recreational, and adult dancers with a consistent intermediate-level ballet background who wish to strengthen their technique, deepen their artistry, and grow within a supportive international environment. No formal audition is required; however, all participants are expected to meet the Intermediate Program’s minimum training requirements.

01

Submit Your Registration

Dancers complete the online registration form and share basic information about their age, training background, and current experience level. No formal audition is required for the Intermediate Program.

02

Placement Review

The ArtéBallét team carefully reviews each registration to help create balanced groups and ensure that dancers enter a class environment that feels both challenging and supportive.

03

Confirmation & Enrollment

Once registration has been completed, dancers receive confirmation and enrollment details by email. Because the program works with intentionally limited group sizes, places are confirmed only after the required registration and payment steps have been completed.

Program Deadlines

Limited Places.
Early Registration Advised.

Due to our intentionally low faculty-to-student ratio, places at ArtéBallét are strictly limited. Once maximum capacity is reached, registration may close before the official deadline.

November 15, 2026 Early Bird Pricing Expires
December 15, 2026 Registration Closes
We encourage dancers to complete their registration promptly in order to secure their place.
Program Requirements

What We Look For

The Intermediate Program is designed for dancers with a consistent foundation at an intermediate ballet level. Participants should have at least 2–3 years of consistent training at an intermediate ballet level, currently attend a minimum of one intermediate-level ballet class per week, and have a solid understanding of basic classical ballet technique and terminology.

Dancers should also be comfortable following a full intermediate ballet class independently, including learning and retaining combinations after they have been explained or demonstrated.

2–3 Years of Intermediate Training Independent Class Participation Vocation Dance Students Basic Ballet Terminology Adult Dancers Positive Work Ethic Recreational Dancers Artistic Curiosity Openness to Coaching
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is selection required for the Intermediate Program?

No. The Intermediate Program does not require a formal audition. Dancers register directly, and the ArtéBallét team reviews each registration to support appropriate placement and balanced group levels.

Does Open Admission mean the program is open level?

No. Open Admission means that no formal audition or selection video is required before registration. The Intermediate Program is not an open-level program, and dancers are expected to meet the minimum level requirements described below.

What level is expected?

The Intermediate Program welcomes intermediate-level vocational, recreational, and adult dancers. Participants should have approximately 2–3 years of consistent intermediate-level ballet training, currently take at least one intermediate-level ballet class per week, and be familiar with basic classical ballet technique and terminology.

Dancers should also be able to follow an intermediate class independently. This means being able to understand and retain combinations after they are explained or demonstrated and follow the normal pace of class without continuous individual assistance or relying on another dancer to remember the exercise. Faculty will, of course, demonstrate, explain, correct, and coach throughout class.

Can younger or adult dancers join?

Yes. The Intermediate Program is generally suited to dancers aged approximately 12 and above, with no upper age limit. Adult dancers are warmly welcomed. Age itself is not a determining factor; current training level and experience are what matter most. Dancers should have approximately 2–3 years of consistent intermediate-level ballet training and feel comfortable following an intermediate class independently. Our groups naturally bring together vocational, recreational, and adult dancers of different ages and backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to learning and a love for ballet.

Are the Winter and Summer Programs the same?

No. The Winter and Summer Intensives are two distinct ArtéBallét experiences, each with its own artistic focus and program structure. The Winter Intensive is designed as a concentrated four-day experience with a strong emphasis on repertoire, coaching, and the creative process. Dancers train together in one dedicated group per program, working on classical and/or contemporary repertoire alongside Arté ChoreoLab, where they enter the studio with a choreographer to explore movement, creation, and new choreographic work. This creates an intimate, ensemble-focused environment with consistent access to faculty throughout the program. The Summer Intensive is our most extensive annual program and offers a broader training experience. Dancers are placed in multiple smaller groups and experience a wider range of techniques, faculty, repertoire, and artistic approaches across the program. The Summer Intensive culminates in a theater performance and also offers optional add-ons and additional individual opportunities. Both programs remain intentionally personal in scale and reflect the same ArtéBallét artistic standards, but Winter should not be viewed as a shorter version of Summer. Each intensive is developed as its own experience, with a different rhythm, focus, and artistic purpose.

Are there multiple groups during the Winter Intensive?

No. The Winter Intensive is intentionally structured around one dedicated group per program, rather than the multiple-group structure of our Summer Intensive. The Intermediate and Advanced/Pre-Professional Programs take place on separate dates, allowing each program to have its own training environment, faculty, repertoire, and artistic focus. Dancers remain together throughout the four days, creating a consistent ensemble and allowing faculty and choreographers to work with the group progressively across technique, repertoire, coaching, and Arté ChoreoLab. This more concentrated structure is an intentional part of the Winter Intensive experience.

What registration materials are required?

Intermediate dancers are not required to submit audition photos or video materials. During registration, dancers provide basic information about their age, training background, and experience level.

Is pointe work required?

No. Pointe work is not required for the Intermediate Program. In some programs, pointe work may be incorporated into designated ballet technique classes when approximately 80% of the group has sufficient pointe experience. When included, pointe work typically takes up no more than 15–20 minutes of the ballet technique class or is integrated naturally into selected exercises. Dancers may participate en pointe only if they have been training consistently en pointe for a minimum of 1.5 years and are currently taking regular pointe classes. Dancers who do not meet this requirement will simply complete the same exercises in soft ballet shoes. For the safety and development of each dancer, faculty may advise against pointe work if it is considered unsafe or not appropriate for the dancer’s current technical level.

Can I register for one day only?

Unfortunately, we do not offer single days.

Will I perform during the program?

All dancers will have the opportunity to perform during our culminating studio presentation in Amsterdam. Participation is encouraged, but not mandatory.

How large are the Intermediate groups?

The Winter Intensive is intentionally designed as a distinct ArtéBallét experience. Winter groups typically welcome 15 to approximately 35 dancers, allowing for the energy, exchange, and artistic depth of an international studio environment while preserving the high-level training and considered approach that define ArtéBallét. For comparison, our Summer Intensive follows a more intimate format, with approximately 10–15 dancers per group.

Can my placement or group be adjusted?

Yes. Final placement may be adjusted by the Artistic Director or faculty if another group better supports the dancer’s training, safety, confidence, and artistic development.

How do I secure my place after registering?

A place is secured only once the required registration and payment steps have been completed. Because places are limited, early registration is strongly advised.

What happens if the program sells out before the deadline?

Because group sizes are intentionally limited, registration may close before the official deadline once capacity has been reached. Dancers are encouraged to complete registration promptly to avoid losing their place.

Where can I find tuition and payment options?

Tuition, package details, installment options, and additional fees are available on the Tuition & Fees page. All selected program fees and optional add-ons are also summarized within the registration form before submission.

Is housing provided?

ArtéBallét does not provide housing. Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation in Amsterdam. We recommend securing accommodation early, especially during the summer period.

A male ballet dancer posing in pink tights with an arm raised, standing on pointe against a black background.

ArtéBallét®

ArtéBallét®

ArtéBallét®— For Dancers Seeking More Than a Standard Intensive.

Enroll Now!