Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, Tivoli, NY is pleased to announce the faculty and guest artists for the 2026 Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive (KBI). KBI is a unique training program designed for young dancers between the ages 13 and 18 to develop exceptional technical skills, artistic refinement, and a sophisticated approach to repertoire, with the ultimate goal of preparing attendees for a career in the arts. KBI 2026 will take place June 22, 2026–August 15, 2026.

 

Along with KBI Artistic Director Paloma Herrera, resident instructors include Kaatsbaan co-founders Martine van Hamel, Kevin McKenzie, and long-time returning teacher Lorin Mathis. Adrienne Schulte (Session 1), Jessica Saund (Session 2), Luciana Paris (Session 3), and Beth Ferrell (Session 4) will also join our roster of incredible faculty.

 

Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive offers the unique experience of intimately working with acclaimed choreographers—debuting contemporary world premieres that are hand crafted for our students at the end-of-session showcases. We are fortunate to have Maria Konrad (Session 1), Gemma Bond (Session 2), Kelly King (Session 3), and Jessica Lang (Session 4) with us for KBI 2026.

 

Our program boasts acclaimed Guest Artists from around the world who teach masterclasses throughout each session, passing on invaluable mentorship to our students. The Guest Artists for KBI 2026 include Gillian Murphy(Session 1), Rebecca Krohn (Session 2), Christine Shevchenko (Session 3), and Wendy Whelan (Session 4).

 

Situated on 153 acres of rolling countryside in the Hudson Valley in Upstate New York, Kaatsbaan is a sanctuary for artists seeking inspiration and tranquility. Our campus offers an idyllic environment for focused, dedicated training.

 

Dancers will attend classes in 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) or day students, plus a commercially renovated kitchen with an onsite chef who prepares each meal fresh with locally sourced ingredients. We take into account all dietary restrictions and allergies, attempting our best to cater towards everyone's needs.

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.

 

Session 1: June 22–July 4, 2026

Session 2: July 6–July 18, 2026

Session 3: July 20–August 1, 2026

Session 4: August 3–August 15, 2026

 

Eligibility

You must:

be between the ages of 13 and 18 during the KBI session(s)
be available for the entire session you sign up for
be fully immunized according to the NYS Immunization Requirements for School
Attendance. Kaatsbaan follows COVID-19 protocols as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
have a minimum of 2 years of prior training in pointe work.

 

In-person auditions will take place January 16–17 at Gibney Studios, located at 890 Broadway, New York, NY 10003, in Studio 5-2. An additional audition will take place in Tivoli at Kaatsbaan (120 Broadway, Tivoli, NY 12583) on January 18, 12:00–1:30 PM. For more information and to register to audition at Gibney Studios on January 16 or 17, please visit here. Click here to register for an audition at Tivoli on January 18. Additionally, we are currently accepting video auditions; video requirements and registration details can be found here. Please reach out to balletintensive@kaatsbaan.org with any questions.

 

About Kaatsbaan Cultural Park

The mission of Kaatsbaan Cultural Park is to provide an extraordinary environment for cultural innovation and excellence by providing artists at any stage of their careers with creative residencies at state-of-the-art facilities, and presenting audiences and communities with annual festivals, educational programs, and seasonal events. As both an incubator for creativity and presenter for world-class artists in dance, theater, music, film, spoken and written word, and culinary and visual arts, Kaatsbaan provides artists with state-of-the-art dance studios, accommodations, an indoor theater, and outdoor stages. Sited on 153 Hudson River-adjacent acres, Kaatsbaan is free of urban facilities’ space and time constraints, allowing for exciting levels of artistic exploration, creative action, and achievement—just two hours north of New York City.

 

Kaatsbaan Cultural Park is committed to the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts as we aim to present, promote, and embrace programming that accurately reflects our society. We encourage a broadly diverse group of individuals to participate in our programs and join our Board and Staff, and insist on being inclusive of all peoples regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, socio-economic background, or physical or mental ability.

 

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