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 35 boys (both new and continuing) will receive training for the 2021-2022 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. 

2021-22 Auditions

Virtual auditions will take place on Saturday, August 28 and Friday, September 10. (Students must be able to access Zoom using a device with a camera.) Peabody Preparatory will begin classes over Zoom; in-person classes will begin on Monday, September 20.

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. Virtual auditions are held over Zoom; students should have a device with a camera and a chair or other sturdy piece of furniture to hold onto for the ballet barre portion of the audition. Interested boys should reserve a spot in the audition in Peabody Preparatory’s registration platform, ASAP. For more information about the program and audition process, please contact: [email protected] or 667-208-6648.

Reserve your spot in the audition today!

Program Faculty