Your career-advancing summer—Onsite or Online
The School at Jacob’s Pillow is where dancers and choreographers define and strengthen their distinct artistic voices, and make the connections that advance their work in the field.
In 2021, The School will nurture the artistic growth of our next generation of dance artists both onsite and online. Due to COVID-19, the number of dance artists able to live and work onsite at Jacob’s Pillow will be limited to eleven dancers per program. Occurring simultaneously, to allow for interaction between the onsite and online groups, will be a companion online program of 20 dancers.
Applications submitted by February 4 will receive a free master class in the genre of their program application, led by distinguished dance artists who are Pillow alumni.
Come dance with us!
80% of dancers at The School receive Scholarship support. Learn more here.
The School 2021
APPLY
Contemporary Ballet | Onsite Jun 14-July 4| Online Jun 21-July 2
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa & Luis R. Torres, Program Directors
Contemporary | Onsite July 5-25 | Online Jul 12-23
Milton Myers & Helen Pickett, Program Directors
Tap Dance | Onsite July 26-Aug 15 | Online Aug 2-13
Michelle Dorrance, Derick Grant & Dormeshia, Program Directors
The Ann & Weston Hicks
Choreography Fellows Program | Online | Aug 18-28
Dianne McIntyre & Risa Steinberg, Program Directors
OPEN TO ALL
Master Classes | Online
January-February | Program Recruitment
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
The School at Jacob’s Pillow is a pivotal experience for performers and choreographers to define their distinct artistic voices and form the career-building connections that can best distinguish and advance their work in the field.
Situated in the heart of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, the longest-running dance festival in the United States, The School has been instrumental in shaping the careers of dance artists for going on 89 years.
The School addresses the most current needs of today’s dancers and connects them to an extensive roster of renowned choreographers, artistic directors, educators, performers, dance leaders, and change agents. School Alumni are an influential international network shaping, defining, and leading the field today. Each year they return as artistic directors, choreographers, performers, artist faculty, and community project leaders; 48 did so during Festival 2019.
At the Pillow, you are charged to work and live as a dance artist, individually and collectively. The studio day focuses on the development of new work by esteemed choreographers who also provide in-depth coaching and mentoring. To support this work, artist faculty lead technique and Master Classes, rehearsals, and career-building discussions and seminars. Studio days conclude with attendance to Festival performances, talks by scholars and artists, improv jams, and time to complete choreographic assignments or research in the Jacob’s Pillow Archives. Performing weekly to share the work created, places dancers before peers, School supporters, company artistic directors and a worldwide streamed audience.
Learn more about The School Experience, Master Classes, or 2021 Deadlines.
An Extraordinary Place To Learn
“We are offered a truly unique opportunity here to do what every professional dancer wants to be able to do, which is live dance every moment of the day.”
2019 Flamenco & Spanish Dance Program
“I’ve made connections and friendships with people from all over the world. Jacob’s Pillow will forever be a part of my heart and also my career as a dancer.”
2019 Tap Program
“Every corner of the campus is geared just for the work, so the people that live and breath in the community can make art, whatever that may be. This culmination of people, architecture, history, and nature gives me more inspiration to dance than I’ve ever had before.”
2019 Contemporary Ballet Program