Contemporary Ballet
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June 14 – 28, 2026
Program Director Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
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.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa creates experiences for participants 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.
ARTIST FACULTY
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Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Claudia Schreier
Tiit Helimets
Rubén Martín
Program Schedule
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.
Performance Opportunities
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.
During the program, dancers will 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, program curriculum, and personal dance interests available only in the Jacob’s Pillow Archives.
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.
LIVE LIKE A CREATIVE DANCE ARTIST
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.
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.
Applications to the 2026 Contemporary Ballet program are now closed.
Applications for the 2027 program will open in late fall of 2026. To hear from us about opportunities at The School, sign up for our email newsletters here.