Intensive Summer Program

5 weeks: June 22 - July 25, 2026

3 weeks: June 22 - July 11, 2026

2 weeks: July 13 - July 25, 2026

N E X T S T E P S

Step 1: Review Information

Before officially registering, we recommend families check out all key information about the program, including payment information and the School Handbook.

Step 2: Register

Families must then decide which session or sessions to attend for the program.

5 weeks (both sessions): June 22 - July 25, 2026 (Classes/rehearsals held Monday-Saturday)

3 weeks: June 22 - July 11, 2026 (Classes/rehearsals held Monday-Saturday)

2 weeks: July 13 - July 25, 2026 (Classes/rehearsals held Monday-Saturday)

To register, please use the link(s) sent via email. Follow the link to create an account in our family portal, or if you are a returning student, login.

Step 3: Add-ons (Housing, Excursions, Lunches)

Housing is available for students at Chatham University 3.5 miles away from PBT Studios. A bus takes students between Chatham University and PBT Studios throughout the program. Cost varies by program, and includes a $25 housing application fee. The 3-month installment payment plan is available and would not incur any additional fee.

Excursions are available for students if they are enrolled in a program. These are (only) open to students by session dates. Students do not need to be staying on campus to attend excursions. For further information, including a listing of excursions, costs, and how to sign up, please view the Excursions page.

All those who are NOT staying at Chatham University's campus ('commuter' students) have the option to sign up for the commuter lunch program. This add-on covers for a student to receive a catered lunch each day of the program. Meals are provided by the catering company associated with our dormitory partner. They are diverse, healthy meals that cater to all dietary needs, and are delivered directly to PBT each day of classes. Otherwise, students may pack a lunch or have lunch delivered. Students will have access to a microwave and a sink. Students will not have access to a refrigerator, so an ice pack is recommended for any meals needing refrigeration. Please note that lunches are included with Housing; students staying at the dormitory do not need to sign up for the commuter lunches.

Housing

Excursions

Lunch Add-On

Information for those staying on campus

Housing move-in will take place on Sunday, June 22, from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Students with late flights will be able to move in into the afternoon/evening as their flights arrive. Address for GPS: 157 Chapel Hill Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. Students will check in with an RA to receive their room key.

Housing move-out can take place as early as Friday, July 25 (if staying with family visiting for the showing), or extend as late as Sunday, July 27 (if a flight is scheduled for Sunday). Almost all students move out on Saturday, July 26, either before or after the showing, depending on their travel plans.

Step 4: Student Choreography

All students attending the 3-week ISP or 5-week ISP are welcome to participate in Student Choreography, mentored by PBT faculty member Jamie Erin Murphy. For those only interested in participating in another student's choreographic work, no actions are needed until ISP begins. More information will be given when students arrive.

For those interested in choreographing, a choreography application (due May 15) is required at the start of the process, which will be evaluated prior to arrival at PBT. Approval will be announced to dancers ahead of the program.

Rehearsals (ranging from 45-90 minutes) occur throughout the 3-week ISP program. Additional rehearsals may be possible as time allows.

The Student Choreographic Showcase will be held on Saturday, July 11. More information about this in-studio demonstration, including an RSVP, will be sent when the program begins.

L O O K I N G A H E A D

Monday, June 22: The 5-week and 3-week sessions begin. On Day 1 of the program, students will start the day with an orientation. A virtual link is available for any interested families. Following orientation, students will participate in classes that will inform program groups. Program groups will be emailed that evening.

Saturday, July 4: There will be no classes or rehearsals held on Independence Day. Students staying in the dorms are required to attend the excursion on this date or otherwise be signed out for the majority of the day. Classes/rehearsals will resume on Monday, July 6.

Saturday, July 11: On the last day of the 3-week session, the Student Choreography Showcase will be held in-person at PBT Studios. An RSVP will be sent in the first week of the program.

Monday, July 13: The 2-week session begins.

Saturday, July 25: In-studio demonstrations will feature some classwork and repertoire students work on during the program. While the exact timing and 'ticket' information is still TBD, please refrain from purchasing a plane ticket home with a departure time before 6 p.m. Please stay tuned for more information--we will let everyone know information as it is determined. Though your dancer may be done before this time, we will not be sure until they have been placed in that first week of the program.

Packing list & Dress code

Students in the program are asked to bring the following dress code items:

Option 1: Students should bring a black leotard and a white leotard. Students should make sure to have a simple leotard with minimal/no straps on the back for any partnering. Students should bring black jazz shoes and black character shoes (example). Tights should be pink or flesh-toned to match the shoes.

Option 2: Students should bring a white top and a black top. Students should bring black tights and ballet black shoes. Students should bring black jazz shoes.

There is a dance store near PBT studios for attire, shoes, and more as well for any needs while in Pittsburgh. Dancer’s Perfect Fit, which carries shoes, men’s and women’s dancewear, and more. It is located at 2821 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. This is within the walking boundary of the studios.

Additionally, we recommend all students bring a combination lock or padlock for the dressing room lockers.

For students staying on Chatham's campus, please review the packing list on the Housing page.

Program Costs

Students enrolling in the 3-week session only of ISP 2026 can expect to pay $2,000. Students enrolling in the 2-week session only of ISP 2026 can expect to pay $1,500. Students enrolling in both sessions (the full 5-week program) of ISP 2026 can expect to pay $3,000.

This includes a $500 tuition deposit, all tuition, and a $45 registration fee.

For those interested in the payment plan, a one-time fee of $30 will apply.

For detailed payment policies, as well as a breakdown of the payment schedule, please review the ISP Payment Information. This document must be e-signed in registration.

Group Placements

Groups are determined on the first day of the program. Students take a placement class and are evaluated by our faculty to be placed in smaller groups for the program. Faculty consider age, technique, and experience for program group placement. Program groups help ensure that each dancer is receiving more individualized attention and is in the best place for them to learn and develop during their time here.

Meet the Team

We have more than a dozen regular faculty–many of whom are teaching for ISP 2026! This list of esteemed current/former professional dancers includes Raymond Rodriguez, Marjorie Grundvig, Eun Young Ahn, Christine Schwaner, Elise Gillum, Jamie Erin Murphy, Maeghan McHale, Svetlana Novodron, Marcella Day, and more to be announced in the coming months. Also joining us again are guest faculty Robert Moore, Pollyana Ribeiro, and James Kopecky (first 3 weeks).

Every class is accompanied by a live musician, each with their own unique style for classical and contemporary music. We have a number of pianists, including PBT’s Company Pianist Yoland Collin, our School Music Coordinator Maja Petrovic, Juliet Winovich, and many more talented part-time accompanists. We also have a live percussionist for our modern classes, Dave O’Brien.

Approximate Schedule

Schedules may vary day to day, but we try to keep schedules consistent as much as possible. A full schedule will be posted after program groups are determined. [Ex: in 2025, students in the Red Group started each weekday at 9 a.m. and ended at 3:30 p.m.]

If you are staying on Chatham’s campus, your class will leave on the same bus to ensure you get there on time. If you are commuting, you can be dropped off in our lot, ride the bus right to our door, or park in the free visitor lot.

Demonstrations

Students are permitted to bring two adults and one child to the Saturday demonstration(s). Children may be asked to sit on the floor or a lap for the duration of the performance.

There will not be a video or recording of the in-studio performances. The only opportunity to watch the performances will be live in-person.

Since our performances are based on repertoire learned only in our programming, we will not have a detailed schedule until later during the program. A detailed schedule and RSVP will be sent during the program.

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