MDT’s summer programs

World-class ballet and contemporary training in Minneapolis
from June–August 2026.

For ages 4–18

The Nutcracker Suite Workshops!

All Twin Cities dancers ages 8–18 are welcome to participate in MDT’s The Nutcracker Suite workshops this upcoming August! Learn brand new choreography from internationally acclaimed artists Gemma Bond, Darrius Strong, Brady Farrar, Aloe Liu, and Katie Deuitch. Please note only MDT students are able to participate in the performances of The Nutcracker Suite.

Monday–Thursday

August 10–13: Ages 13–18 | 9:15–2:30 p.m.
August 17–20: Ages 8–12 | 9:15–12:45 p.m.

Learn more

MDT’s Summer Programming

Dancers in ballet costumes practicing in a dance studio.

The 2026 Summer Program

Ages 8–18
June 15–July 2

  • The Upper Division summer program is designed to expand upon MDT's classical ballet-based curriculum, seamlessly integrating contemporary dance styles, innovative choreography, and classical repertoire in a conservatory-type setting. All classes are led by the esteemed MDT faculty and exciting guest teachers, with live piano accompaniment enriching most classes.


    All classes are aimed for dancers who have mastered the fundamentals of ballet technique. Classes will include: ballet technique, pre-pointe, pointe, men's rep, choreography, contemporary, partnering, jazz, character, strength and conditioning, and more.

  • Monday, June 15 through Thursday, July 2

    9:30–4 p.m. 

    Week 1: Monday, June 15–Friday, June 19

    Week 2: Monday, June 22–Friday, June 26

    Week 3: Monday, June 29–Thursday, July 2

    The 2026 Summer Program is divided into three levels:

    Level 1 (ages 8-10)

    Level 2 (ages 11-13)

    Level 3 (ages 14-18)

    Please register for the level that coincides with your dancer's age. Please note that placement classes will occur every Monday of each week, and that levels placement is subject to change. Class sizes will be limited. 

    MDT programming will run Monday-Friday during the first two weeks, and Monday–Thursday in the third week due to the 4th of July holiday. Dancers and faculty wishing to  observe Juneteenth, may be excused from classes on Friday, June 19.

  • Discounts:

    - A 10% discount will automatically be applied at checkout if your dancer commits to all three weeks. 

    Registration fee and deposit:

    All Summer course registrants will be charged a non-refundable $35 registration fee. Balances must be paid in full at the time of registration. Balances for the Upper Division may be paid in full at the time of registration, or via payment plan.

    Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable and are subtracted from your total summer intensive fees. Please note, registration takes place online. 

    Cancellations: 

    If for any reason you need to cancel your registration, you will receive a refund for any fees you have paid not including the registration fee and commitment deposit, provided you cancel at least 15 days prior to the first day of the session for which you are registered. Cancellation requests should be made in writing to school@mndance.org.

    No Show:   

    If you are registered for a session and do not attend for any reason and/or do not notify us that you will not be attending at least 15 days prior to the session’s start date, refunds will not be issued.

    Location:

    The 2026 Summer Program will be held in person at 730 SE 9th Street in Marcy-Holmes neighborhood of Minneapolis. 

  • Guest Artists:

    Max Azaro

    Head of Curriculum at Ballet Tech, former dancer with Ballet Austin

    Gemma Bond

    Renowned choreographer, former dancer with American Ballet Theatre and The Royal Ballet

    Katie Deuitch

    Dancer with Ballet Austin

    Sasha Mukhamedov

    Soloist with San Francisco Ballet

    Eric Tamm

    Ballet Stager and ABT-Certified Teacher, former dancer with American Ballet Theatre

    Local Faculty:

    Lauren Post

    Former dancer with American Ballet Theatre, Director of Minnesota Dance Theatre

    Joanna Mednick

    Former dancer with San Francisco Ballet and Dutch National Ballet, Artistic Associate with Minnesota Dance Theatre

    Caroline Bundschuh

    Former dancer with Continental Ballet Company

    Megan Dunn

    Former dancer with Colorado Ballet

    Alejandra Iannone

    Director of MDT's Primary Division

    Darrius Strong

    Artistic Director of STRONGMovement

    Michelle Vagi

    Former dancer with Ballet Arizona

  • LEVEL 3: Ages 14–18

    • 9:30-11:30 a.m. - Ballet technique

    • 11:30-11:45 a.m. - Break

    • 11:45-12:45 p.m. - Variations

    • 12:45-1:30 p.m. - Lunch

    • 1:30-3:00 p.m. - Contemporary

    • 3:00-3:15 p.m. - Break

    • 3:15-4:00 p.m. - Partnering

Hosted at MDT’s new location Monday–Friday from 9:30–4 p.m., join us for an amazing summer experience! Featuring five guest artists from around the world .

Young girl in a ballet class jumping in the air with one leg bent and arms outstretched, wearing a pink leotard, white tights, and ballet slippers. Other children in similar attire are visible in the background inside a dance studio with large windows and a wooden floor.

  • Similar to the school year, these sessions are 45 minutes long and include learning the fundamentals of ballet. This includes, stretching, coordination, and learning musicality.  

  • Monday 4-Week Sessions

    July 6–27 & August 3–24

    Ages 4-5: 4:30–5:15 p.m.
    Ages 6-7: 5:15–6 p.m.

  • Registration fee and deposit:

    All Summer course registrants will be charged a non-refundable $35 registration fee. A non-refundable commitment deposit of $35 per week is also required upon registration. Balances must be paid in full at the time of registration. Balances for the Upper Division may be paid in full at the time of registration, or via payment plan.

    Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable and are subtracted from your total summer intensive fees. Please note, registration takes place online. 

    Cancellations: 

    If for any reason you need to cancel your registration, you will receive a refund for any fees you have paid not including the registration fee and commitment deposit, provided you cancel at least 15 days prior to the first day of the session for which you are registered. Cancellation requests should be made in writing to school@mndance.org.

    No Show:   

    If you are registered for a session and do not attend for any reason and/or do not notify us that you will not be attending at least 15 days prior to the session’s start date, refunds will not be issued.

    Class Location:

    The 2026 Summer Program will be held in person at 730 SE 9th Street in Marcy-Holmes neighborhood of Minneapolis. 

  • Caroline Bundschuh
    Jess Schmitz-Boyd

    Curated and organized by Primary Division Director, Alejandra Iannone

    See below for more details.

  • 4:30–5:15: Ballet class, creative movement, & dance story-time!

A continuation of the school year, join us for weekly summer fun! Classes are broken into two groups by age.

Monday Afternoons

Ages 4–7
July 6–27 & August 3–24

Register for all offerings
A young girl wearing a purple velvet dress with rhinestone designs, white leggings, and ballet slippers is jumping in a dance studio during a dance class. Other children are visible in the background.

Summer Dance Camp!

Ages 4–7
August 3–7

  • Curated by MDT's Primary Division Director, Alejandra Iannone, this fun-filled camp introduces the joy of movement, music, and imagination. Students enhance their coordination, develop fundamental dance skills, and challenge their brain in learning basic choreography! 

    Ballet classes are held daily in the morning, and are supplemented with afternoon jazz classes, choreography, themed arts and crafts, stretching and conditioning, story-time and dance media, and more!  

    An end of week showing for parents and families  give dancers a "performance" opportunity to share all they have learned throughout the week!

  • 1- Week Summer Camp

    August 3–7
    Theme is "Forest Creatures"

    Monday–Friday

    Half-day: 9:00-12 p.m.
    Full-day: 9:00–3 p.m.

    Please note, full-day options are only available to five, six, and seven-year olds. Four year olds may only register for a half-day.

  • Registration fee and deposit:

    All Summer course registrants will be charged a non-refundable $35 registration fee. A non-refundable commitment deposit of $35 per week is also required upon registration. Balances must be paid in full at the time of registration. Balances for the Upper Division may be paid in full at the time of registration, or via payment plan.

    Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable and are subtracted from your total summer intensive fees. Please note, registration takes place online. 

    Cancellations: 

    If for any reason you need to cancel your registration, you will receive a refund for any fees you have paid not including the registration fee and commitment deposit, provided you cancel at least 15 days prior to the first day of the session for which you are registered. Cancellation requests should be made in writing to school@mndance.org.

    No Show:   

    If you are registered for a session and do not attend for any reason and/or do not notify us that you will not be attending at least 15 days prior to the session’s start date, refunds will not be issued.

    Class Location:

    The 2026 Summer Program will be held in person at 730 SE 9th Street in Marcy-Holmes neighborhood of Minneapolis. 

  • Caroline Bundschuh
    Shannon Dolan
    Betsy Nelson
    Jess Schmitz-Boyd

    Curated and organized by Primary Division Director, Alejandra Iannone

    See below for more details.

  • 1-Week Full Day: 

    • 9:00-9:15 am - Welcome Circle

    • 9:15-10:00 am - Ballet Class

    • 10:00-10:15 am - Break

    • 10:15-11:00 am - Storytime

    • 11:00-11:15 am - Break

    • 11:15-12:00 pm - Creative Movement 

    • 12:00-12:30 pm - Lunch

    • 12:30-1:15 pm - Jazz Class

    • 1:15-1:30 pm - Break

    • 1:30-2:15 pm - Workshop  

    • 2:15-2:30 pm - Break

    • 2:30-3:00 pm - Dance Media or Craft

This week is full of dancing, crafts, stories, and imagination! Half-day or full-day options are available.

Summer Program Teachers – Primary Division

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with long, wavy hair, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

    Caroline Bundschuh

    Dance artist and educator

    Learn more

  • Shannon Dolan

    Dance artist and educator

    Learn more
  • Black and white portrait of a woman smiling, wearing a dark V-neck shirt, against a plain light background.

    Alejandra Iannone

    Director of MDT’s Primary Division

    Learn more
  • A black and white portrait of a woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing a light-colored shirt, resting her head on her hand, and gazing at the camera.

    Betsy (Gaasedelen) Nelson

    Dance artist and educator

    Learn more
  • Black and white photo of a young man with arms raised and making a dance or ballet pose, with another person blurred in the background.

    Jesse Schmitz-Boyd

    Dance artist, performer, choreographer, and educator

    Learn more

Summer Program Guest Teachers – Upper Division

  • Black and white photo of a young man with arms raised and making a dance or ballet pose, with another person blurred in the background.

    Max Azaro

    Head of Curriculum at Ballet Tech
    Former dancer with Ballet Austin

  • A black and white portrait of a woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing a light-colored shirt, resting her head on her hand, and gazing at the camera.

    Gemma Bond

    Choreographer
    Former dancer with The Royal Ballet

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with long, wavy hair, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

    Katie Deuitch

    Dancer with Ballet Austin
    MDT Alumna

  • A black and white portrait of a woman with short hair looking over her shoulder at the camera.

    Sasha Mukhamedov

    Soloist with San Francisco Ballet

  • Black and white portrait of a young man with short hair, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

    Eric Tamm

    Former dancer with American Ballet Theatre
    Ballet Stager, ABT-Certified Teacher