State Street Ballet: Training

Summer Intensive
June 17 to July 12, 2024
State Street Ballet's Summer Intensive is for dedicated dance students, ages 12-25. The ideal program to strengthen your technique and enhance your artistry, this training session offers classes Monday through Saturday in ballet, modern, pas de deux, pointe, jazz, and conditioning, with the afternoons focused on learning new choreography by our world-class faculty. Classes take place in our state-of-the-art studios, ideally located near downtown Santa Barbara and the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara features a year-round Mediterranean climate and some of California's best beaches.
Sample Schedule
Monday - Saturday
9:15am - 12:15pm Morning Session including ballet technique, pointe, variations
12:45pm - 4:00pm Afternoon Session including modern, jazz, and choreography
Tuition for 4-week intensive
Price: $2,400
Housing: (includes lodging, food & transportation)
Price: $3,725
Dancers will be housed at Tropicana Gardens, adjacent to the University of California Santa Barbara, about 20 minutes from State Street Ballet. Transportation to and from the studio will be provided.
How To Audition
Attend one of our in-person auditions held nationwide, a virtual audition, or select the video audition option on the registration form. Pre-registration at least three days prior to the audition date is required to guarantee an audition spot. Walk-ins will be accepted only if space is available at the time of the audition. Check the audition calendar for times, dates, locations, and registration deadlines.
Summer Intensive Faculty
Rodney Gustafson is the Founding Director of State Street Ballet, and was the the Artistic Director for over 25 years. He is a former member of American Ballet Theatre, and has worked closely with Mikhail Baryshnikov, George Balanchine, and many others. He was the director of the ABT Summer Intensive Program in Austin, Texas, and is an ABT-certified teacher at the highest level. Mr. Gustafson also has an MA in Business Administration.
Megan Philipp graduated from Butler University with a BA in Dance Pedagogy and after a career as a freelance artist in New York she graduated from New York University with a master’s degree in Dance Education, with a focus in ABT Ballet Pedagogy. Prior to being State Street Ballet's Rehearsal Director and Professional Track Director, Mrs. Philipp was the Faculty and Curriculum Coordinator for the Joffrey Academy of Dance in Chicago. She was appointed State Street Ballet Artistic Director in 2023.
Cecily MacDougall graduated from St. Mary’s College with a BA in Performing Arts, received her MBA with an emphasis in nonprofit leadership from Antioch University, and is an ABT-certified teacher. She danced professionally with New York Theatre Ballet, Allegro Theatre Company, Richmond Ballet, and State Street Ballet. She will assume the position of State Street Ballet Executive Director in January 2024.
Marina Fliagina was born in Russia and graduated from Perm State College of Choreography. She has performed roles in all of the famous classical ballets and has toured internationally with the Russian Imperial Ballet, and the Moscow Festival Ballet. She joined State Street Ballet as a principal dancer, and in 2001 she was promoted to Rehearsal Director. She has choreographed several ballets for the company and been a teacher for the Summer Intensive Program for several years.
Chauncey Parsons began dancing in Santa Barbara. At 15 he was accepted at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington DC. After graduating, he performed for the State Street Ballet, under Rodney Gustafson. In 2002 in joined Colorado Ballet as a soloist, soon after was promoted to principal dancer. In 2008 he joined Oregon Ballet Theater as a soloist under Christopher Stowell. He was promoted as a principal dancer the following year. Chauncey has danced all principal classical and more contemporary roles in the United States and overseas.
Contact Information
State Street Ballet
2285 Las Positas Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Telephone: 805.845.1432
Email: contact@statestreetballet.com