The Royal Danish Ballet Summer School

It is no longer possible to apply for The Royal Danish Ballet's Summer School. You can find more information about the Summer School below.

The Royal Danish Ballet Summer School – In A Word

The Royal Danish Theatre offer an intensive two-week summer course at The Royal Danish Theatre for young dancers aged 12-21 in collaboration with Tanz Akademie Zürich. The course can only be selected for both weeks.

Participants will have the opportunity to experience the Royal Danish Ballet School's teaching and try their hand at The Royal Danish Ballet’s varied repertoire, including the famous Bournonville style.

The training includes, among others:

Ballet class
Repertoire
Bournonville
Contemporary

The teachers at the summer school are affiliated with The Royal Danish Ballet, The Royal Danish Ballet School and Tanz Akademie Zürich. The course is selective and all applicants must upload a link to an audition video.

Information

Dates: 20 July – 1 August 2026

Minimum age for participation is 12 years, maximum is 21 years.

All programmes have classes from Monday to Saturday included, from approximately 9:00 to 17:00.

On Saturday 1 August, there will be an informal performance to mark the end of the Summer School. As a student at the Summer School, you will be able to give away at least one free ticket to a guest. Further information about the closing performance will be provided closer to the date.

All classes are taught in English, and we accept students of all nationalities. The course takes place in the facilities of the Royal Danish Theatre. The entrance of the studios is at Tordenskjoldsgade 8, 1055 Copenhagen K.

You can read our Data Policy here.

You can read our Terms and Conditions here.

Practical information before applying

Tuition fees 2026
The price for both weeks is DKK 12.500 incl. VAT. The course can only be selected for both weeks.
Optional extras:
- Lunch served at the theatre: DKK 500 per week (all programmes)
- Accommodation: see accommodation prices below
Application

The application deadline for this year's Summer School was 20 March 2026, and it is therefore no longer possible to apply. If you have applied, you will be notified whether you have been accepted by 10 April 2026. You accept your place by paying the fee and any lunch costs before the payment deadline using the information sent to you by email. Your place is fully confirmed once you have paid all fees.

Levels and classes

Across all levels, students take classes that are a part of the Royal Danish Ballet School’s curriculum. These include Classical Ballet Technique, Bournonville Classes and Repertoire, Contemporary, etc. Students are assigned a programme after assessment of their audition video. All students must audition by sending a link to a video. The course is organised in two programmes, divided by technical level. Students are assigned a programme following an assessment of their audition. The final timetable will be sent out to participants approximately one month before the Summer School. The Summer School reserves the right to change the timetable and the content of the programmes both before and during the course.

Advanced Programme

This programme is suitable for dancers with a strong foundation from their vocational training.
Subjects include ballet, technique, repertoire, Bournonville style and repertoire, pas de deux, contemporary and Pilates.
Elite Programme

This programme is suitable for dancers who are in the final few years of their pre-professional training.
Subjects include ballet, technique, repertoire, Bournonville style and repertoire, pas de deux, modern dance and Pilates.

Zurich Dance Academy

We are delighted to present the Summer School in collaboration with Zurich Dance Academy (Tanz Akademie Zürich), an internationally recognised training centre for classical dance and part of the Zurich University of the Arts. Zurich Dance Academy offers comprehensive, physically and artistically demanding training that combines technical excellence, creative development and reflective practice. Zurich Dance Academy specifically prepares talented children and young people for sustainable professional careers in the global dance field.

We are excited to welcome guest teachers from Zurich Dance Academy who will bring this unique approach to The Royal Danish Ballet Summer School.

The teachers from Zurich Dance Academy will be announced soon.

How to apply

TEKST HER

Application process
It is no longer possible to apply for this year's Summer School.
The time line for the registration process is as follows:
1. You submit your application including a link to your audition video. The deadline for application is 20 March 2026.
2. You receive an email with the result of your application, 10 April 2026, at the latest.
3. In case you are awarded a scholarship, accommodation or a place on the waiting list, you must confirm your place by 17 April 2026 at the latest, after which you will receive further instructions.
4. You accept your place by paying the tuition fee and any lunch costs via a dedicated link.
Material to submit

It is no longer possible to apply for The Royal Danish Ballet's Summer School 2026.

Teaching Staff

The faculty is composed of a combination of teachers and ballet masters from the Royal Danish Ballet and School, as well as world-renowned guest teachers selected for the diversity of their styles and their extensive experience in professional dance training. The past editions of the Summer School have been taught by the following teachers:

Classical Ballet

Anne Holm-Jensen Peyk, Amy Watson, Holly Dorger, Ann Kolvig, Ask La Cour, Caroline Cavallo, Jonathan Chmelensky, Marcin Kupinski, Marc du Bouays, Antonio Carmena, Christine Camillo, Taina Morales, Olga Mirza, Jared Redick, Lynne Charles, Mads Eriksen, Karina Elver, Harris Gkekas
Bournonville

Dinna Bjørn, Gudrun Bojesen, Henning Albrechtsen, Henriette Muus, Anne Marie Vessel, Inge Jensen, Christina Michanek, Mogens Boesen, Tina Højlund, Nicolai Hansen, Susanne Grinder, Eric Viudes, Karina Elver, Maria Bernholdt, Louise Midjord
Contemporary and Choreography

Adi Salant, Lotte Sigh, Célia Amade, Dafna Dudovich, Dariusz Nowak, Dor Mamalia, Nina Botkay, Yen-Ching Lin, Nikoline Due, Jens Schyth Brøndum, Austin Tyson, Cyril Baldy, Marguerite Donlon, Johanne Saunier, Roberto Scafati, Wubkje Kuindersma, Madeline Harms, Jessica Wright, Jordan James Bridge
Musical Theatre/Jazz

Ann Renking, Dylis Croman, Dana Moore, Jacob Brent, David Watson, Jacob Sibirzeff, Rachael Ireson
Pilates/Conditioning/Strength

Claire Ratcliffe, Jennifer Wagstaffe, Johanne Dam, Anna-Olivia Christesen, Matthew Bailey, Emily Losno, Emilie Schack, Frida Hallqvist, Henrik Emmer, Hagit Rosenzseig, Nadin Reiness

Accommodation

The Royal Danish Ballet Summer School can offer limited accommodation to its students aged 15 to 21. Accommodation is provided by Suhrs Højskole, who cooperates with the Royal Danish Ballet – Summer School.

Accommodation is available for Summer School students only. Families and accompanying friends must find their own accommodation. Students younger than 15 are unfortunately not eligible to accommodation via the Summer School. Therefore, we recommend that young students travel with a parent or a legal guardian.

As a public institution, the Royal Danish Ballet Summer School is unable to recommend any privately-owned hotel or hostel. However, Copenhagen offers excellent options in town, with many hotels, hostels and private apartments available. Copenhagen is a very safe city and all districts are recommendable.

Types of accommodation

Our partner boarding house

The Summer School is delighted to collaborate with Suhrs Højskole, which is open exclusively for the Summer School students during the course. Suhrs Højskole is located near Nørreport, in the center of Copenhagen, and only 15 minutes away from the theatre by foot. Students must be 15 years old or older to stay at Suhrs Højskole.

Students who stay at Suhrs Højskole are offered supervised accommodation in shared bedrooms (2 to 5 people) and are served both breakfast and dinner. The facilities include shared bathrooms, common rooms, and an internal yard. Linen is provided and students have the possibility to do their washing at the boarding house.

The kitchen can only accommodate certain diets and allergies. If you suffer from any allergy, please write it down on your registration form.

Students are paired up according to age, nationality and programme at the Summer School. Where possible, we accommodate siblings and friends travelling together. The price is DKK 5.995 DKK per student per week (plus 150 DKK in administration fees). The total for both weeks Is DKK 12.140 and is not included in the tuition fee. Check-in is always on Sunday between 14:00 and 15:00 and check out Sunday between 9:00 and 10:00.

Apartments

The Summer School no longer offers accommodation in apartments.

How to apply?

To apply for accommodation through the Summer School, you must tick the relevant box on the same application form for when you apply for admission to the Summer School.

All students aged 15 to 21 are welcome to apply for accommodation. However, in case the number of requests is too high, precedence is given to students aged between 15 and 18.

Students who are offered accommodation will be notified in April, along with the response as to whether they have been accepted into the summer school. Students who are not immediately presented with a solution are automatically put on a waitlist. We do our best to fulfil all requests and will give sufficient notice if this is not possible.

Accommodation fees are paid directly to Suhrs Højskole.

Scholarships

Students can apply for a scholarship for the Summer School.

Approximately 8 to 10 scholarships are given out each year.

Scholarships strictly cover tuition fees and cannot be used to cover meals, accommodation, or travel expenses. We award both full-tuition scholarships and partial scholarships.

The application for scholarships is included in the application for the Summer School.

The scholarships are made possible with support from the Beckett Foundation.

About us

The Royal Danish Ballet is the world's third oldest ballet company. It originates from 1748 and is based in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 1771 the company established the Royal Danish Ballet School which is, as well, among the oldest of its kind.

With its unique Bournonville tradition and an eye for innovation the company has always managed to present a varied repertoire of high quality.

One of the Royal Danish Ballet's core tasks is to continue and develop Bournonville ballets known for their fine sense of mimetic narrative and effortless ease. The legacy of August Bournonville will always be the backbone of the Company's repertoire, but the company also has the capacity to interpret the magnificent ballets from the Russian tradition and an ambition to constantly expand and renew the repertoire with works by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins as well as new works by contemporary ballet choreographers.

Being able to present a broad and demanding repertoire of high artistic quality requires a large company of skilled and talented dancers who can master the many varied tasks and styles in more than 80 annual performances.

Contact us

If you would like to get in touch, please send an email to: summerschool@kglteater.dk.

The Summer School Office does not have phone line open during the year.

FAQ Application process

Is the age limit flexible?

All applicants should be between 12 and 21 at the start of the Summer School. Applicants who are slightly younger or slightly older than this range are also allowed to apply, with a tolerance of +/- 2 months.
Can I choose what programme to apply to?

No. If your application is successful, the Summer School will assign you a programme, which is assessed to be best suited to your observed technical level.
What is the difference between pointe technique training and virtuosity training?

When applying you will be asked to choose between pointe technique and virtuosity training. Pointe technique includes pointe training, and is traditionally aimed at women, wheres virtuosity training is traditionally aimed at men.
I do not think I have been assigned the right programme. May I change?

The Summer School’s decision is final and cannot be re-examined. However, the Summer School reserves the right to move a student to a more appropriate programme during the course if their technical level does not meet the class’s required level.

FAQ Payments

How can I pay?

After you have submitted your application, it will be assessed, and you will then be notified whether you have been accepted. Once you confirm your place, you will receive payment details by email along with a payment deadline.
How do I know my participation is confirmed?

Your participation is confirmed once you have paid your tuition fee.
Can I register and pay later?

You do not need to pay as soon as your receive your order confirmation, but you must pay before the deadline in order to participate in the course.
I cannot attend the course anymore. Can I get a refund?

Refunds are only possible upon presentation of a medical certificate documenting an injury more than 30 days prior to the start of the course. Read our Terms and Conditions to find out if you are eligible for a refund.
Who do I contact in case of problem?

The summer school office is always available to help you. We can be reached via email: summerschool@kglteater.dk.

FAQ Practical Information

Will there be a performance to mark the end of the Summer School?

On Saturday 1 August, there will be an informal performance to mark the end of the Summer School. As a student at the Summer School, you will be able to give away at least one free ticket to a guest. Further information about the closing performance will be provided closer to the date.
Is it possible to audition for the school or the company during the course?

The Summer School and the auditions are separate events, and it is not possible to audition for neither The Royal Danish Ballet School nor The Royal Danish Ballet during the course.
If you are interested in the auditioning for the School, you can read more about auditions here. Please note that all students attending the School must be fluent in Danish to be eligible.
If you are interested in the auditioning for the Company, you can read more about how to audition here.
Do I need to bring specific clothing?

Students should wear their regular ballet clothes, and we recommend to wear clothes that let the teachers see the body lines. Students will receive a complete list of what to bring approximatively one month before the course starts.
Do you offer meals?

Lunch is not automatically included in the registration, however, it is possible to purchase a lunch offer for this year's Summer School. The price is DKK 500 per week, i.e. DKK 1,000 for both weeks. The lunch consists of lunch served in The Royal Theatre’s canteen and an afternoon snack. Students must bring their own drinks, as these are not included in the lunch offer. There will be fridges available for storing food if you do not purchase the lunch offer. The purchase can be made when paying the tuition fee.
What languages are spoken at the Summer School?

All classes are taught in English. General communication is issued in English.

FAQ Travelling to/from Copenhagen

When should I arrive in Copenhagen? When should I depart?

We advise all students to arrive in Copenhagen at least a day before their first day, and leave on the day after their last day (Sunday to Sunday).
Which airport should I fly to, and how to get from there to the city centre?

You should fly to CPH airport, as it is the only airport of Copenhagen. Once you are out of the arrival zone at the airport, you should take the metro (ticket machines are available in the hall). All trains departing from the airport are direct to Kongens Nytorv, which is the stop where the theatre is located, at the very center of the city. It only takes 20 minutes, there are trains 24/7, and the service is extremely safe.
Is there a pick-up service at the airport?

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a pick-up service and all students must find their own transportation.