Contemporary Ballet
June 14 – 28, 2026 | At the Pillow
Program Director Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Choreographers Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Claudia Schreier with Artist Faculty Rubén Martín and Tiit Helimets | Festival Artists may lead additional classes and talks
For 22 dancers at an early-career, company-ready, or pre-professional advanced level. Dancers must be at least age 16 on arrival day; no exceptions possible.
ARTIST FACULTY
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Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Claudia Schreier
Tiit Helimets
Rubén Martín
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa creates experiences for the Contemporary Ballet Performance Ensemble to fully embody and bridge the worlds of classical repertoire and contemporary movement languages. Dancers live and work alongside the Festival’s international artist community, where artistic growth thrives and the possibilities for dance continually expand.
Daily ballet technique classes, with live accompaniment, will be led by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Rubén Martín, or Tiit Helimets. In rehearsals for newly created work, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Claudia Schreier will provide in-depth coaching on the multiple roles choreographers expect of dancers from studio to stage. Discussions with Artist Faculty, Festival Artists, and School Alumni will offer deeper insight into the expectations, professional standards, and industry practices sought by today’s choreographers and artistic directors. Each week, a visiting or Festival Artist will guide dancers through different choreographic approaches or movement material.
The Ensemble performs weekly before Festival audiences to strengthen performance skills and the artistry needed individually, and as an ensemble, to meaningfully express choreographic intent. Dancers will premiere a new ballet by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa at the 94th Festival Season Opening Gala on Saturday, June 20. On the following Saturday, the Ensemble will share the works created on them by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Claudia Schreier and present selected repertoire on the iconic outdoor Henry J. Leir Stage. The in-person and livestream audiences include School-invited artistic directors of ballet companies who Ensemble dancers aspire to work with in the future.
Throughout the program, rigorous artistic practices build the skills and connections necessary for each dancer to become an exceptional performer and collaborator, with a distinct artistic voice. Dancers depart the Festival as lifelong members of the global Jacob’s Pillow Alumni network.
During the program, Performance Ensemble dancers also:
- Attend Festival performances, Pillow scholar-led talks, and other events across the Pillow grounds.
- Participate in career-building seminars and discussions led by Festival Artists, Artist Faculty, and Pillow Alumni. Topics include developing an artistic practice and choreographic voice, wellness practices, contract negotiations and decisions, dance citizenship, and strategies to forge one’s own path in the field.
- Access digital dance works connected to Artist Faculty, Festival Artists, and program curriculum available only in the Jacob’s Pillow Archives, while also exploring archival materials that align with personal dance interests.
- Complete program assignments which may include improvisational studies, collaborative movement invention, choreographic ideas, journal writing, and other activities.
- Build a career network through daily interactions with peers, staff, Artist Faculty, artistic directors, company members, dance supporters, audiences, community members, and visitors.
The Jacob’s Pillow School Experience is a day-to-evening conservatory style curriculum, designed to instill the stamina, perseverance, and entrepreneurial and collaborative voracity required to live and work as a creative dance artist.
Open the sections below to apply
2026 Contemporary Ballet Application Deadlines & Notifications
Jan 26 at 11:59pm EST | Priority Deadline | $45 processing fee
Feb 23 at 11:59pm EST | Regular Deadline | $50 processing fee
After Feb 23 | Rolling Basis* | $55 processing fee
Acceptd offers financial assistance for applicants who meet Application Fee Waiver requirements. Application Fee Waivers are subject to approval by the Acceptd Support team and are granted based on proper documentation, when provided in advance of an application submission. Contact Acceptd Support when setting up your portal.
*Applications submitted past Feb 23 are reviewed on a rolling basis by Program Directors, Artist Faculty, and School staff. Admission status is sent by email if space is available.
Looking for a discount to a Jacob’s Pillow 360 Workshop in 2026?
Submit your application by the priority deadline, and you’ll receive a $5 discount code for a 360 workshop in your area! It’s your chance to connect with Jacob’s Pillow Artist Faculty and Alumni in a city near you.
Click BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION to access Acceptd, our application portal. Review the Application Guidelines there to ensure your submission is complete. Only complete applications are considered. Scholarship applications must be submitted with your program application.
For assistance, contact [email protected].
Required Program Application Materials
1. Audition Video
Footage must be clear and recent (preferably shot within three months, or as close as possible). Media-enhanced, highly edited, or promotional videos are not accepted. Adjudicators prefer one concise video with a table of contents. Multiple videos are acceptable if contents are properly identified. Accepted file types: MP4, M4V, AVI, FLV, MOV, WMV, MPG, MPEG, M2V, MKV, and WEBM.
- Verbal self-introduction (1 minute maximum)
- Your name and current affiliation
- Why this program is important for you this year
- What you are showing on your reel
- Any context about your footage (title/choreographer(s) of performance footage, why footage date is not as preferred, etc.)
- Technique sampler (5 minutes maximum) If you wear pointe shoes, wear them in combinations and dance sections.
- Center floor: Tendus, adagio, pirouettes, 1 petit allegro with batterie, 1 grand allegro, tour en l’air for men
- Across the floor: Waltz, pirouettes, jumps, and leaps
- Performance sampler (6 minutes maximum)
- 1 classical variation or repertory excerpt
- 1 contemporary ballet improvisation or variation
- In-studio footage is preferred over performance footage
- If performance or group footage, clearly identify yourself
- Identify names of works and choreographers
- Excerpts should demonstrate a range of dynamics, levels, tempos, and styles
2. Written Statement (500 words or less)
- Influences on your current dance work and artistic goals
- Career aspirations and experiences desired to reach your goals
- How you envision this program shaping your artistic identity
3. Résumé/C.V.
4. Photos
- Classical position of your choice in leotard, women should be on pointe
- Headshot
5. If 17 or younger, a Letter of Recommendation may be requested
- You will be asked to list the name, title, phone, and email of a dance teacher or artist who has agreed to recommend you
- If contacted, they should be prepared to address the following:
- Your technical and performance artistry
- Your stamina to participate in rigorous, professional-level classes, rehearsals, performances before the public, and evening responsibilities
- Your ability to live and work responsibly as a professional in a diverse artist community
- Read Program Fees & Scholarships for program costs and all scholarship opportunities.
- The Scholarship Application is found within the Program Application and must be submitted with your application.
- If you are a dependent, all financial information provided must be for your parent/guardian(s).
- U.S. and international dancers are eligible for scholarship awards.
- For assistance, contact [email protected].
- Read Participation Requirements & Policies for important eligibility details.