The Day Program
Alabama Ballet Professional Track day Program
Alabama Ballet School
Pre-Professional
Day Program
Transition from student to emerging artist
Alabama’s first conservatory-style pre-professional training track — rigorous daytime ballet, accredited online academics, and the stage experience a career in dance actually requires.
Age 16+
Through graduate student
Two Divisions
Training & Professional
30 Weeks
Two semesters
Aug 10 – May 7
2026 / 2027 season
What the program makes possible
Dancers are able to
01
Pursue rigorous daytime ballet training
02
Complete accredited online academic coursework
03
Gain real performance experience alongside our professional company
Why the Day Program
Built like a company, not a class
01
Expert Faculty
Training is led by our Artistic Director and Company Rehearsal Directors, all former professional dancers, alongside faculty that includes retired Alabama Ballet Principal Dancers, current Principals, and distinguished guest artists — bringing real-world experience and industry insight into the studio every day.
02
Real Performance Experience
Perform alongside our professional company and develop the skills, confidence, and artistry required for a career in dance. Past opportunities include corps de ballet roles in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® and The Sleeping Beauty.
03
Effective Training
Two levels of advancement — the Training Division and the Professional Division — let students train at a pace that meets their individual development. Placement is determined by technical proficiency, physical development, and artistic maturity.
Who you train with
Day Program Faculty
Alexandra Upleger
Day Program Coordinator
Jon Upleger
Day Program Teacher
Natalie Hunt
Day Program Teacher
Luiza Boaventura
Day Program Teacher
Elizabeth Gamble
Day Program Teacher
Grace Anli
Day Program Teacher
The practical details
Everything else you need
Typical day schedule
9:30 – 11:00 am
11:15 – 12:15 pm
12:15 – 12:45 pm
12:45 – 1:45 pm
1:45 – 2:30 pm
2:45 – 4:15 pm
Daily studies include Ballet Technique, Pointe, 4 Pointe Method, Variations, Partnering, Contemporary, Conditioning, and Repertoire. Evenings stay free for academics and other interests.
Tuition & key dates
First semester
Second semester
Total tuition
A $250 non-refundable costume fee is due with the first payment.
The program runs two semesters — 30 weeks total — beginning August 10, 2026 and concluding May 7, 2027.
Eligibility & how to apply
Dancers must be 16 years of age by August 10, 2026 to be considered, with four years of pointe work experience required. Placement into the Training or Professional Division is determined by technical proficiency, physical development, and artistic maturity.
To be considered for the program, email [email protected].
Performance opportunities
The program supports the transition from advanced student to emerging artist through community engagements, the Winter Workshop, the Alabama Ballet School Spring Performance, and optional competition opportunities.
Students may also work alongside Alabama Ballet in mainstage productions. Past opportunities have included corps de ballet roles in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® and The Sleeping Beauty.
Academics — Laurel Springs School
Alabama Ballet is proud to partner with Laurel Springs School — a fully accredited, private online school for K–12.
Self-paced online coursework with flexible scheduling and dedicated support gives every dancer a personalized education that fits around a full daytime training schedule.
Applications open for 2026 / 2027
Ready to take the next step?
Tell us about your dancer and we’ll walk you through placement, scheduling, and what a day in the program actually looks like.