2026-2027 National Visiting Fellowship for Ballet Teachers (5 Openings)

NATIONAL VISITING FELLOWS PROGRAM

The School of American Ballet (SAB) invites U.S.-based classical ballet instructors with a proven commitment to teaching students from diverse backgrounds to apply for the National Visiting Fellows Program. Visiting Fellows are invited to attend two all-expenses-paid sessions during SAB's Winter Term, where they observe a range of SAB classes, meet with faculty to discuss SAB's curriculum and strategies for progression, teach SAB students and receive faculty feedback, and discuss relevant topics in dance education with administrative staff and faculty.

• In addition, the home school of each Visiting Fellow receives a monetary award of $5,000 to strengthen existing educational programs or to establish new opportunities for student support.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2026.

DATES OF 2026-2027 FELLOWSHIP

• Fall: October 26-October 31, 2026 (travel to NYC October 25)
• Winter: Virtual class observation to take place February/March 2027
• Spring: April 26-May 1, 2027 (travel to NYC April 25)

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

• Observe a complete range of SAB Winter Term classes
• Attend curricula and technique demonstrations with students and faculty
• Meet with SAB faculty members to discuss training methods and other relevant topics
• Serve as a Teaching Assistant for select Children's Division classes in partnership with an SAB faculty member
• Provide Zoom access for SAB faculty to virtually observe a live class at your home studio between fall and spring sessions
• Teach an Upper Children's or Intermediate Division class utilizing the SAB curriculum and receive feedback from SAB faculty
• Met with School Leadership to discuss administrative operations and building an inclusive environment for today's ballet students

Requirements

• To be eligible for the Fellowship, you must be at least 21 years old and have a minimum of five years of teaching experience in classical ballet
• Be currently employed by a U.S.-based dance academy or studio. Non-U.S. citizens are welcome to apply, if the affiliated school or studio is in the United States.
• Artistic directors are welcome to apply
• Have a demonstrated and documented commitment to serving students from diverse backgrounds in ballet

Application Requirements

• RÉSUMÉ OR CV: Include dance training, professional performing experience (if applicable), and teaching experience
• Description Of Current Position/Title And Organization: Provide an overview of organization's training programs and a summary of the student body demographics
• Include a written description of classes you teach, including class type (ballet, pointe, etc.), class level (beginner, intermediate, etc.), class size, and ages taught
• STATEMENT OF INTENT: In a few sentences, explain your interest in participating in the Fellowship and your commitment to providing dancers from underrepresented backgrounds in ballet with opportunities to develop their potential towards professional careers.
• LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM ORGANIZATION: Provide a letter from your organization's artistic leadership endorsing your application. (Not applicable if the applicant is an Artistic/School Director.)
• VIDEO TEACHING SAMPLE: Recorded in-person ballet classes are requested and should highlight applicant's ability to give clear directions and corrections to their students, rather than promote student performance. Video samples are meant to demonstrate how the applicant teaches their students and how they prepare and develop students for the rigors of classical ballet. Applicants will be evaluated on how they teach and communicate information to students. We request all videos be uploaded to a streaming service such as YouTube or Vimeo prior to submitting the online application. You will be required to provide a link/url to your final video(s) in the application. Links that require the video to be downloaded are not accepted. Additionally, please do not provide links that require an invitation to a specific email address to view (such as in the "private" setting for YouTube uploads).

Benefits

• Two all-expense-paid trips to New York City for the fall and spring sessions
• $5,000 grant to support existing or new programming for participant's affiliated school
• $1,000 weekly stipend for each onsite residency at SAB
• $250 stipend for virtual class observation and 1:1 with SAB faculty during Winter Term
• One complimentary ticket to a New York City Ballet performance (provided fellowship visit occurs during NYCB season)