Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Intensive programs

The acclaimed Bolshoi Ballet Academy (BBA) has produced some of the most accomplished stars of the current generation, including Natalia Osipova, Alexei Ratmansky, Polina Semionova, Vladimir Malakhov, Maria Kochetkova and many others.  

With its nearly 250-year history, the Academy’s curriculum and pedagogy is recognized for its focus on strength, musicality, clarity of technique, and personal expression. 

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The BBA Summer Programs in New York and Connecticut follow the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy curriculum and are taught by the Academy’s leading teachers from Moscow.  Each Program is specifically designed to achieve individual progress in ballet training through a focus on the clarity of technique, increased strength, and greater musicality.

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RAF's BBA Programs welcome students from all over the world.  In 2018 participants represented: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Portugal, Romania, Russia, South Korea,  Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Venezuela, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. 

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Polina Semionova

Bolshoi Ballet Academy Graduate

Photo by Stella de Monaco

“[The Bolshoi Ballet Academy’s] alumni include some of the most illustrious dancers in the history of ballet.”

                                                                                                                                                                – David M. Herszenhorn, The New York Times

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“Since 2007, the Russian American Foundation’s U.S. summer intensives and government-funded scholarship program have helped pave the road from America to Moscow... Now, Bolshoi-trained Americans still in their 20s are making their marks with top international companies, bringing with them a distinct blend of Russian training and American spirit”.

                                                                                                                                        - Wendy Perron, Dance Magazine 

Summer Programs

*Listed programs in the United States are a partnership between New York based Russian American Foundation (“RAF”) and Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet Academy (“Academy”). The Programs are operated by RAF, based on a ballet curriculum designed by the Academy and taught by its ballet teachers. Unless otherwise expressly stated, RAF has no affiliation with other programs operated or sponsored by the Academy in Russia or other parts of the world. The Programs are not formally affiliated with Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet Company.  PROGRAM DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. 

NSLI-Y is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, implemented by the Russian American Foundation in Moscow, Russia in collaboration with local independent entities in Russia and U.S. Program implementation is subject to available funding of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.  PROGRAM DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

In planning for an in-person 2021 summer all Program elements (including but not limited to housing & studio capacities, end of session events, extra-curricular activities, etc.) are being monitored and prepared within the context of the most current guidance of relevant health authorities. Reasonable program modifications, as well as augmented participant and staff medical review process, should be expected.