National Visiting Fellows Program
Each year, 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 be applied to current or future diversity-related initiatives.
SAB will be accepting applications for the 2023-24 National Fellowship Program this spring. Join our mailing list to receive updates on the application process and find further details below.
Program Details and Criteria
The School of American Ballet welcomes applications from classical ballet teachers of all backgrounds to apply for the Visiting Fellows Program. Applicants will be selected based on various qualifications, including, but not limited to, teaching quality, demographics of the community served, and commitment to serving students of color and/or underrepresented communities. The School of American Ballet encourages submissions from diverse applicants.
Program Details
- Receive two, all-expense paid trips to New York City for the fall and spring sessions.
- An award of $5,000 to the fellow’s home studio.
- A $1,000 stipend for lost wages per week during fellowship visits.
- 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.
- Teach intermediate-level classes and receive feedback from SAB faculty.
- Meet with School Leadership to discuss administrative operations and topics of diversity and inclusion in ballet.
- Virtual class observation access on select dates throughout the winter.
- Enjoy complementary tickets to NYCB performances (provided fellowship visit occurs during NYCB season).
- Fellows will be selected and notified by early August.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be at least 21 years old as of September 1
- Have a minimum of five years 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, as long as the affiliated school or studio is located in the United States. Artistic directors are welcome to apply.
- Have a demonstrated and documented commitment to serving underrepresented communities in ballet and/or students of color.
- Have the full support of your home institution.
Contact Elise Drew León, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at fellows@sab.org for more information.
How to Apply
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Résumé or CV
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Include dance training, professional performing experience (if applicable), and teaching experience. |
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Written description of current position/title and organization
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Include descriptions of organization’s training programs and demographics of the current student body (age, racial/ethnic composition, student body size) |
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Statement of Intent
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In 500-1000 words, explain your interest in participating in the Fellowship and your commitment to teaching diverse student populations. |
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Letter of Support
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Letter from your organization’s artistic leadership* indicating support for your application.
*Not applicable if applicant is an Artistic/School Director |
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Video Teaching Sample (more guidelines included below)
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Recorded in-person classes as well as recorded Zoom classes will be accepted. Video sample(s) should be recorded and uploaded to an online hosting service such as Vimeo or YouTube. You will be required to include a url link to your video(s) in the application. (See below for more guidelines on submitting your video sample) |
Video Teaching Sample Guidelines
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).
Note that you do not need to compromise your privacy in order to submit a video. To keep your videos private on YouTube, choose the “unlisted” setting (instead of the default “public” setting) when you upload your video. An “unlisted” video will not be publicly viewable in your YouTube channel and cannot be found through a YouTube search. Vimeo users can update their privacy settings by selecting “People with the private link” under “Who can watch”. This will hide the video from your Vimeo channel and searches. For an added layer of privacy on Vimeo, you can add a password by selecting “people with the password,” which you must then provide on the SAB application.
Note that in order to upload a video longer than 15 minutes on YouTube, you must verify your account. Instructions for doing so are included here.
If you have difficulty providing a video through one of these services, please contact fellows@sab.org to inquire about alternative submission methods.
Consider the following in preparing your video:
- Include modified barre and center work (including pointe work) for students you currently teach (no more than 45 minutes per class).
- If applicable, you may include separate teaching samples for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students (including pointe).
- Teacher and students should be visible throughout the class
- Teacher’s instructions should be audible and clear and not overpowered by music or other background noises
- Highlight teacher’s ability to give clear directions and corrections, rather than student performance.
Roster of National Visiting Fellows
The National Visiting Fellows program began in 2015. Since then over 30 individuals from around the country have participated in the program and are part of a growing network of teaching professionals. Visit the link below to view the full roster of National Visiting Fellows including the 2022-2023 cohort.