Education & Outreach
IB has the expertise to guide exploration, inspiration, and appreciation for the beauty and value of dance at all levels.
International Ballet offers services in education and outreach for families of enrolled students in addition to the community at large. We understand that families of dancers sometimes need guidance navigating summer training opportunities, auditions, and future dance-related options after IB. Additionally, we aim to serve the community at large, sharing the gift of dance as experienced in the lives of our students and audiences. Email Michelle Brown if you have questions or are interested in an outreach event for your organization.
Please see below for our full scope of education and outreach programing.
Building Futures
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General Guidance Program - (Gr 8-12) General informational sessions will be presented throughout the year to help students research summer programs, colleges, companies, and dance-related careers and to provide general audition tips and practices. Cost: Free to IB Company; $20/ year Non-Company
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Open Sundays - (Gr 9-12) IB will sponsor a minimum of three “Open Sundays” each semester to provide students with self-guided and shared open studio time outside of class to prepare for auditions. Must pre-register at least one week in advance of each date. Cost: $15/session, $40/semester, $75/year. ​​​
2023-2024 Open Sunday Dates
All Open Sunday's held at the Somerville Center. The 2023-2024 dates coming soon...
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​​Audition Preparation- (Gr 10-12) College and company audition preparation for dance and dance-related programs for students who are interested in developing individual career plans in the broad and expansive dance world. Includes preparatory services, private rehearsals/ coaching, and small group planning sessions. Open Sundays included. Cost $400. Must commit by September 15, 2021. For more information on Audition Preparation Email Michelle Brown.
NHSDA
National Honor Society for Dance Arts
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IB sponsors two chapters of NHSDA: Secondary (Gr 9-12) and Junior (Gr 6-8). Students must apply and must demonstrate achievement in ballet, academics, and character to qualify.
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Students are able to develop leadership skills through planning and participating in events and projects.
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Cost $10/ year plus fees for certificates, honors cords, etc.
Outreach Programs
Storytime Ballet
A partnership with the Greenville County Library System, International Ballet’s free programs introduce children to the world of ballet through dance-themed books. The performance/readings allow young children the opportunity to see the costumes and performers up-close and meet the dancers after the show. Over 1,000 children and their families attend a Storytime Ballet performance each season. In 2021 Storytime Ballet was partially funded by Greenville Metropolitan Arts Council (MAC) grants program.
Project Pirouette
In the summer of 2023, International Ballet received a grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission to launch a community outreach program called Project Pirouette. IB partnered with three existing organizations who serve children - Pleasant Valley Connection, Phillis Wheatley Community Center, and Freedom Within Walls at Lead Academy. Thanks to these organiztions along with Church of the Redeemer Episcopal who provided space for Pleasant Valley Connection, we were able to teach beginning ballet classes to over 100 students. The SCAC grant covered the costs to launch and operate the program for 2 months, but we are now seeking to raise $15,000 to continue the program for students at the Phillis Wheatley Community Center and scholarship students who have discovered a passion and would like to continue training at Interntional Ballet in Greer.
Accessibility Class
A partnership with Thrive Upstate, International Ballet offers a free weekly ballet class for adults with intellectual disabilities. Taught by IB President & Founder Lena Forster, the class incorporates elements of ballet conditioning to bring movement, fitness, musicality, pleasure, and creativity to the students and volunteers. In addition to the weekly class, regular participants and volunteers are invited to attend The Nutcracker at no cost and perform in the Academy’s annual year-end demonstration.
Additional Outreach
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2021 MindLeaps Outreach - click here to see video of this 2021 cultural exchange event
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Contact us today for an IB outreach event in your organization.