Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive
Collegiate Week
Collegiate Week Program
Immerse yourself in the world of ballet at our world-class program set against the backdrop of the stunning Hudson Valley. Designed exclusively for college students, this one-week intensive is your opportunity to refine your ballet technique and repertoire.
Designed as a process oriented program, you’ll delve into the heart of ballet through classical repertoire as well as experience a unique chance to explore contemporary choreography through specialized classes and enlightening lectures.
Our program consists of esteemed faculty who have graced the stages of prestigious companies worldwide. Dancers will receive personalized instruction and guidance from experts who are committed to helping them reach their full potential.
Situated on 153 acres of rolling countryside, Kaatsbaan is a sanctuary for artists seeking inspiration and tranquility. Our campus offers an idyllic environment for focused practice and relaxation.
You will have access to world-class dance studios equipped with sprung floors, large windows, barres, and mirrors, creating an optimal learning environment. Kaatsbaan offers options for either onsite boarding (limited availability) as well as day students in the beautiful Hudson Valley of Upstate New York.
Joining the Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive means becoming a part of a vibrant artistic community. You'll have the chance to interact with fellow dancers, choreographers, and visiting artists, creating lasting connections in the dance world.
Auditions
Auditions will be by video submission only.
You must audition in order to be considered for a placement into Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive Collegiate Week. Students may only audition once each year. Online pre-registration is required for all auditions.
Dancers who have participated in past Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensives must audition. Past participation does not guarantee you a place in Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive Collegiate Week.
Email balletintensive@kaatsbaan.org for all questions.
Eligibility
You must:
be between the ages of 18 and 25 during the KBI Collegiate Week.
be currently enrolled in a college or university.
be available for the entire program.
be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a FDA or WHO authorized vaccine.
have a minimum of 2 years of prior training in pointe work required.
Students are expected to carry personal medical insurance for the risk of accidents and illness. Make sure your Health Insurance policy provides for out of town/state routine and emergency care. If not, you must take out a temporary rider for the duration of KBI.
Schedule
June 16–21, 2025
Residents arrive June 15
Monday–Friday
8:00am–9:00am: Breakfast
9:15am–12:00pm: Classes
12:00pm–1:00pm: Lunch
1:00pm–4:00pm: Classes
5:30pm–6:00pm: Dinner
6:30pm–9:00pm: Lectures, Activities, Free time
Saturday
8:00am–9:00am Breakfast
9:15am–12:30pm: Classes/End of session Wrap-up
*Daily schedule subject to change.
Faculty
Paloma Herrera
Gemma Bond
Lorin Mathis
Paloma Herrera was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and began her training at the age of seven. In January 1991, having just turned 15 years old, she moved to New York and continued her studies at the School of American Ballet. After only six months, she joined the American Ballet Theatre and, in 1995, became the youngest Principal Dancer in American Ballet Theatre history at age 19. She has appeared in ballets ranging from Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, and Swan Lake, to Apollo, The Prodigal Son, and Stepping Stones. She has appeared as Guest Artist with great ballet companies around the world, including New York City Ballet, Kirov Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Tokyo Ballet, Teatro Colon, and National Ballet of Cuba, to name a few. She retired from American Ballet Theatre at the end of November 2015, right before turning 40. Since that, she moved back to her home, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and continued to teach all over the world.
In 2016, she wrote her autobiography that was presented at Feria del Libro in 2017. That same year, she also launched her own perfume Paloma Herrera, in 2019 her second fragrance Paloma Herrera Passion, and in 2022 her third fragrance Paloma Herrera Fantasy.
In Argentina she received the award: Konex de Platino, Maria Ruanova and distinctions by the Honorable Camara de Diputados de La Nación, Medalla del Bicentenario by the government of the Buenos Aires city, among many others, and since 2012 she is a member of the gallery of popular idols of the Argentine Government House.
In 2017, she became the artistic director of Ballet Estable del Teatro Colon, where the company has grown immensely since she arrived. She resigned in 2022.
Gemma Bond was born in Bedfordshire, England. She received her training at the Royal Ballet School. Bond was contracted to The Royal Ballet in 2000 as a member of the corps de ballet, later being promoted to First Artist in 2003. Bond remained with the Royal Ballet until 2008, when she was invited to join American Ballet Theatre, where she danced as a member of the corps de ballet till 2019. Whilst dancing with American Ballet Theatre Bond rediscovered choreography, she created and performed some of her first works at American Ballet Theatre’s Choreographic Incubator.
Lorin Mathis began his training at Ballet Arts Minnesota before training at Pacific Northwest Ballet School and San Francisco Ballet School. Some of his most influential teachers included Bonnie Mathis, Lirena Branitski, Flemming Halby, Jorge Esquivel, Johan Renvall, and Ricardo Bustamante. In 1999, Mr. Mathis was hired as an apprentice with San Francisco Ballet. He continued to dance with SFB for two seasons as a member of the Corps de Ballet, before joining Alberta Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Philadelphia Ballet. During his performing career he danced leading roles by choreographers such as Marius Petipa, George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Jirí Kylián, Mikko Nissinen, Anthony Tudor, Jorma Elo, Helen Pickett, William Forsythe, John Butler, Jerome Robbins, and Nacho Duato. National and International touring has allowed him to perform throughout the United States, Canada, China, England, Ireland, and Spain.
Retiring from performing in 2016, Lorin’s mentoring experience includes teaching for Pennsylvania Ballet School, Artifact Dance Project, Saint Paul Ballet Company and School, Ballet Royale, Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota, BC Dance, and has attended the ABT National Training Curriculum. Lorin has served as Associate Artistic Director for Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive, where he has been teaching, coaching, and choreographing since 2017. During the year Lorin teaches Ballet Technique, Men’s Technique, Ballet Repertoire, and Pas de Deux at the University of Arizona School of Dance.
Kevin McKenzie
Martine van Hamel
Born in Burlington, Vermont and trained in Washington, DC by Mary Day, Kevin McKenzie won a silver medal in the Varna International Ballet Competition in 1972. After starting his professional career with the National Ballet of Washington under the direction of Fredrick Franklin and Ben Stevenson, he moved to New York City to work with the Joffrey Ballet before joining American Ballet Theatre as a soloist in 1979 and promoted to Principal dancer that same year.
After enjoying a full performing career with ABT, he became Artistic Associate with the Washington Ballet and in 1992 was appointed Artistic Director of ABT. During his 30 years in that position, he nurtured 3 generations of ABT dancers while establishing and overseeing the ABT Studio Company, The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre, The ABT National Training Curriculum, The ABT Innovation Initiative for choreographic development as well as welcoming Alexie Ratmansky as the Artist in Residence at ABT to create some of the most treasured additions to ABT’s repertoire in the company’s experience.
Retiring from his position at ABT, Mckenzie has turned his attention back to Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, an institution he co-founded in 1991 and now serves as Chairman and Artist Advisor.
Martine van Hamel studied ballet in Copenhagen, Java, The Hague, Caracas, and Toronto. She leapt to widespread acclaim by winning The Gold Medal, and the seldom awarded Prix de Varna, at The International Ballet Competition in 1966. She went on to stardom, first with The National Ballet of Canada, and followed by two illustrious decades as a Principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. From 1992 to 1997, she regularly performed with Nederlands Dans Theater III. She still performs character roles with American Ballet Theatre. A Co-founder of Kaatsbaan Culutral Park, which is dedicated to the preservation of professional dance, van Hamel directs the Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive summer intensive. She also teaches for the JKO school and Studio Company of American Ballet Theatre.
Tuition
Residential
$2,600
Day Student
$1,400
Residential Student tuition includes:
Housing at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park's Dancer's Inn. Overnight staff will be onsite.
Full meal plan—includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day Student lunch is available for an additional fee.
Lodging
Dancers are housed in motel-style double, triple, or quad rooms at The Dancers’ Inn. Each room is equipped with a full bathroom. Students must bring their own bed linens, blankets, and bath towels. Rooms are cleaned weekly. Overnight staff will be onsite.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive has a no-refund policy on payments received. There are absolutely no refunds for dismissal from KBI or for voluntary withdrawal. Withdrawal from KBI, 45 days or more prior to the beginning of the session, due to a severe injury or medical condition unrelated to a pre-existing condition and directly resulting in Participant’s inability to train, may be evaluated on a case by case basis for special consideration of a credit. It is the Participant's responsibility to submit a written statement of the request, relevant medical documentation, and physician’s attestation that the injury or medical condition is not related to a previously existing condition. Upon receipt of stated information, KBI will determine, in its sole discretion, whether any special consideration will be granted. Requests for session changes are not guaranteed, reviewed on a case by case basis, and are subject to KBI's Refund Policy.
Given KBI’s no-refund policy, we recommend insurance as an option to protect your enrollment costs. Insurance is offered through CampDoc for US residents ONLY. For International Families, cancellation insurance options from your home country should be considered.
Email balletintensive@kaatsbaan.org for all questions.