State Street Ballet
Summer Conservatory
Under the direction of Megan Philipp
State Street Ballet’s Summer Conservatory
Designed for the intermediate to advanced ballet student, State Street Ballet’s Summer Conservatory is a full-time 4-week course that meets six days per week, culminating in a final performance at Center Stage Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara. Classes include ballet technique, pointe, pas de deux, modern, contemporary, conditioning, and jazz. In the afternoons, our esteemed faculty will teach choreography. The State Street Ballet Summer Conservatory curriculum is designed for dancers interested in fine-tuning their technique and exploring their artistic expression through classical repertoire and contemporary choreography.
Held in our studios near downtown Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean's shores, participants can enjoy the year-round Mediterranean climate and renowned beaches of the American Riviera.
Ages: 12-23
Frequency: 6 days/week (40+ hrs)
Program Dates: June 15th-July 10th, 2026
Summer Conservatory Faculty
State Street Ballet Faculty
Program Information
-
Monday - Friday
9:15am - 12:00pm: Morning Session (ballet technique, pointe, variations)
12:30pm - 4:15pm: Afternoon Session (modern, jazz, choreography)
Saturday
10:30am - 12:00pm: Morning Session (ballet technique, pointe, variations)
12:30pm - 3:30pm: Afternoon Session (modern, jazz, choreography)
-
2026 Conservatory Tuition: $2,500
2026 Dorm Fee: $3,500
→ incudes housing, food, and transportDeadlines
Registration Deadline: April 1, 2026
$500 deposit and dorm fees due upon registration
Remaining Tuition Due: May 15, 2026
-
State Street Ballet has a limited number of partial scholarships for the 2026 Summer Conservatory. All students are considered for merit-based scholarships at the time of audition. There is no application process. State Street Ballet will notify scholarship recipients at the time of acceptance.
If you are a dorm student and interested in being a Resident Advisor, please reach out to contact@statestreetballet.com once accepted to the program.
Housing
-
2026 Price: $3,500
Includes Lodging, Food, and Transportation
Participants will be accommodated at Tropicana Gardens, adjacent to the University of California Santa Barbara, approximately 20 minutes from State Street Ballet. Transportation to and from the studio will be provided.
-
Housing
Dancers live in shared suites consisting of three rooms (2-4 beds per room) with two shared bathrooms.
Each unit includes a living room, small refrigerator, microwave, and TV. Refrigerator space is limited.
Meals
Breakfast and dinner are served in the campus cafeteria.
At breakfast, dancers prepare their packed lunches (Sunday lunch is served in the cafeteria).
Campus Life
Swimming pool
Internet access (password provided on-site)
If accepted, please see handbook for additional details.
-
Trip downtown to Alameda Park for Summer Solstice festivities
Music Academy of the West Performance
Natural History Museum Excursion
and more!
Optional activities carry additional cost and are subject to change -
If you are a dorm student and interested in being a Resident Advisor, please reach out to contact@statestreetballet.com once accepted to the program.
How to Audition
Dancers may audition in person at one of the sites on our National Audition Tour or submit a video audition. Participation in the SSB Summer Conservatory is by acceptance only. Students may only audition once each year. Online pre-registration is required for all auditions.
Auditions are open to dancers of all genders who have achieved intermediate or advanced levels of ballet training. Applicants for the SSB Summer Conservatory must turn 12 by June 1, 2026 and be no older than 23 on June 1, 2026.
Visit the Auditions page for important details, audition guidelines and the National Audition Tour schedule.
Contact Us
Please reach out to us at contact@statestreetballet.com with any questions, or call our office at (805) 845-1432.
FAQs
-
Female-Identifying Dancers: A leotard and pink tights with no restriction on color or style. Ballet slippers and pointe shoes will be required for the audition. Hair should be pulled back and secured.
Male-Identifying Dancers: T-shirt (black or white), tights, jazz pants or short, ballet shoes.
-
Results of the audition are sent via email on a rolling basis. If you have progressed from this initial stage, Candidates should expect to receive notification of their acceptance status within 2-4 weeks of their audition date. Note: If you have not received an email within 4 weeks, please make sure to check all email addresses affiliated with your account and the junk mail folder of each. If you have still not received notification, then email contact@statestreetballet.com.
-
Our maximum enrollment is 60 students.
-
June 15th-July 10th, 2026
State Street Ballet’s
Professional Track Program
Designed for the advanced dancer ages 17-23, the State Street Ballet Professional Track Program is a full-time 32-week course that meets five days a week. Classes include ballet technique, pointe, pas de deux, modern, contemporary, conditioning, and choreography. In addition to their rigorous training schedule, Professional Track dancers are invited to take company classes and attend company rehearsals if cast. Select Professional Track dancers will have the opportunity to perform in State Street Ballet productions.
