Boston Conservatory at Berklee Commercial Dance Intensive is a cutting-edge, three-week summer program for dancers interested in exploring the world of commercial dance. Focused on dance for video, film, and live music concerts, students will explore various dance forms necessary to succeed in the industry, including jazz-funk, hip-hop, breaking/popping, urban dance styles, and lyrical-jazz. Participants will also develop important portfolio-building skills, such as résumé creation.
Taught by Boston Conservatory’s renowned faculty and acclaimed guest artists who have performed with some of the biggest names in the industry, Commercial Dance Intensive gives students who are considering a career in dance the opportunity to sample trademark elements of Boston Conservatory’s top-ranking dance B.F.A. program: versatile skill building and focused studies that pave a path for successful careers.
Each week, students will have the opportunity to interact personally with guest artists and receive valuable guidance from these industry leaders on audition techniques, networking, and dos and don'ts.
2020 guest instructors included Sarah Grooms (Radio City Rockettes, NASM certified personal trainer), Herman Payne (coartistic director and director of the Dance Department at Broadway Theatre Project), and Jamal Story (Schehimezade Productions, cochair of the SAG-AFTRA National Dance Committee).
This program is designed for beginner to advanced-level dancers between the ages of 15 and 22 who are interested in commercial dance. Participants should have a strong interest in expanding their knowledge of dance in the entertainment industry, enthusiastic to explore hip-hop, urban dance styles, jazzdance, tap, and more.
Faculty and Guest Instructors
Commercial Dance Intensive is led by Boston Conservatory faculty member Ruka Hatua-Saar White. Summer 2021 program faculty and guest instructors to be announced. Guest instructors for the 2020 program included:
Sarah Grooms: Radio City Rockettes, NASM Certified Personal Trainer Herman Payne: Coartistic Director and Director of the Dance Department at Broadway Theatre Project Jamal Story: Schehimezade Productions, Cochair of the SAG-AFTRA National Dance Committee
Program Costs
Application Fee:
$50 (non-refundable)
Tuition:
$2,330
Housing and Meals:*
$2,075
Payment Deadline:
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Move-In Date:
Monday, July 12, 2021 (time TBD)
Move-Out Date:
Saturday, July 31, 2021 by 12:00 p.m.
Lock in 2020 tuition and housing rates when you register and pay in full by January 15, 2021.
Students living on campus enjoy housing in the Conservatory’s historical brownstones and the many offerings of the Berklee cafeteria, just down the street. Learn more about housing.
*Students living on campus are required to have a meal plan. Students may request a waiver of housing and meals with proof of alternate options. All waivers are at the discretion of the Summer Programs Office.
How to Register
Students interested in registering for this program should prepare the following materials:
Headshot
Audition Video: Your video audition should be a 60- to 90-second solo piece that highlights range and dynamics. It must also include an application introduction (your name, age, where you are from, and why you would like to attend Commercial Dance Intensive). Applicants should be sure that their recordings are appropriately lit and are in focus. Applicants are encouraged to introduce themselves to the faculty. Individual files can be as large as 5GB.
