Following the 2016 Summer Intensive, we established our Elite Training program, which offers a select few students the opportunity to travel and train with us throughout the year and to be part of our performances . Our inaugural class of six began that year with us in Houston. They were an important part of our premier of Cinderella, and were with us throughout the year as we worked in Florida, New York, Latvia and Russia.
Over the summer, two of our students accepted contracts with a company in St. Petersburg, Russia and are now dancing in performances around the world. A third student accepted a unique opportunity to be part of the Moiseyev Folk Dance Academy in Moscow, Russia.
Our five current 2017 elite students spent the fall with us in Florida and were featured in our Cinderella production at the historic Parker Playhouse in Boca Raton. They will continue to train with us in Florida and be part of the Winter Workshop in New York and then will travel with us to St. Petersburg, Russia for three months this spring. We are happy to give them the rare opportunity to experience the history, the places and the people where the tradition of Russian ballet began.
The first step to being considered for our Elite Training Program is to attend our Winter Workshop and/or Summer Intensive where we will consider candidates for our 2019 program. Please note your interest on your audition form. For additional details, contact ekaterinaowf@gmail.com.
ET students visiting the Peterhof Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. 
ET students after performing at the Hermitage Theatre.
IN THEIR WORDS:
“Through every experience, I have learned an invaluable amount as the foundation has the knowledge that I have yearned for and what they work so hard to pass on and continue is such a treasure…with the work I received through the Elite Training and Summer Intensives with the Open World Dance Foundation, my unattainable dream finally became within reach. I am now dancing professionally in St. Petersburg, Russia, performing in the many beautiful theatres of the city and as well as traveling the world with the company. It has been a dream that I would never have gotten to without the training, guidance, support, and inspiration of the foundation and the programs they provide…”
– Katia Raj, Elite Training student and current member of Jacobson Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia
” I have been searching for so long for what OWDF offers, and the Elite Training Program has been incredibly personalized, authentic, and rewarding. To be able to study the purest form of classical ballet technique, and also learn why everything is done the way it is, is truly special. The training provides a window into the true meaning and intentions of classical ballet, allowing each student to advance remarkably, but not only as classical dancers, as people as well.”
– Juliette J., Elite Training student
” When Claire attended her first Open World Dance Foundation audition in 2015, we knew she had found what she was looking for. Finally, teachers who not only trained at the Vaganova Academy and went on to dance professionally at the Mariinsky and ABT, but teachers who know how to teach what they know.”
– Parents of Claire M., Elite Training student
” From day one of the intensive I knew I had finally found the place I had been searching for and, by day two all I knew was that I didn’t want it to ever end.”
– Megan S., Elite Training student