The tuition-free Estelle Dennis/Peabody Dance Training Program for Boys, established in 2009, is a ground-breaking opportunity for selected boys from the Baltimore metropolitan area who have the potential and a strong desire to dance. Each August and September, Preparatory Dance holds auditions to select exceptional boys — some with no or little previous training. Accepted boys receive tuition-free training in an all-boys dance class, some free dance attire, opportunities to view live performances and take master classes with successful male dancers, and to participate in performances with Preparatory Dance. Approximately 30 boys (both new and continuing) will receive training for the 2023-24 school year.

Recent graduates have entered dance programs at Goucher College, Indiana University, Peabody Conservatory, Point Park University, and the University of the Arts; attended summer dance programs hosted by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet Chicago, Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, the School of American Ballet, Paul Taylor American Modern Dance, Philadelphia Ballet, and The Washington Ballet, among others; and continued their training at AMDA New York, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Colburn Dance Academy, the Joffrey Academy of Dance, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and The Washington School of Ballet. Program alumni have danced professionally with Ballet Tuscon (Arizona), Contemporary West Dance Theatre (Nevada), Dallas Black Dance Theater: Encore, Huntsville Ballet Company (Alabama), and Oregon Ballet Theatre. 

2023-24 Auditions

Auditions will take place in our Baltimore campus dance studios on Saturday, August 26, 1:00-3:00 pm and Saturday, September 9, 2:30-4:30 pm. (Students and parent(s)/guardian must attend orientation on Zoom Thursday, August 31). Peabody Preparatory dance classes will begin on Wednesday, September 6.

Auditions are open to:

  • Boys age 9-12 with some or no previous training and a strong desire to dance
  • Boys age 13-15 with prior training and a serious wish to improve technique and to take specialized men’s classes

Students do not need to prepare material in advance. The audition follows a dance class format. Auditions are held in our dance studios. The structure of the audition will consist of ballet class (barre and center) and learning contemporary combination. Interested boys should register and reserve a spot in, ASAP, the online Peabody Preparatory registration system. 

If your family would like to join our program, or learn more about what we offer, please email the Peabody Dance Office ([email protected]) and our Estelle Dennis/Peabody Dance Coordinator, Darion Smith ([email protected]) and/or sign up for a placement class. We would be happy to answer your questions and assist you with any registration. 

Reserve your spot in the audition today!

Program Faculty