Information
Registration for the Exclusive International Ballet Program is subject to an initial selection based on a video audition, consisting of either a classical repertoire variation or class work (short barre, centre work, and pointe work for female dancers).
This first video-based selection will grant access to the program after confirmation by email from the program management.
Videos must be submitted exclusively by email and in the form of internet links to facilitate viewing.
The submission deadline is June 1st in order to be considered for the first selection round.
The age requirement is 16 to 21 years old, for both female and male dancers.
Upon acceptance, you will receive a confirmation email allowing you to complete your registration and make a first payment of €950 to reserve your place (please note that this deposit is non-refundable).
The remaining balance of €1,000 must be paid upon arrival at the program.
Selected students will be accommodated at Château Mathias,
196 Route de la Sauvegarde, 47200 Virazeil.
Minibus transportation will be provided between the dance studios and Château Mathias. Transportation will also be organized upon arrival at Marmande Train Station or Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport.
Please note: No transportation will be provided from Bordeaux Saint-Jean Train Station, either on arrival or departure.
Participants are also required to confirm their arrival and departure times with the program management before purchasing travel tickets.
15 students
A maximum of 15 students can participate in this adventure
16 to 21 years old
The participants must be between the ages of 16 and 21.
Selected by video
Acceptance is made by after viewing auditions sent by video
by the direction of the ballet program
Teaching artists
Thomas Gallus
Director of the Exclusive International Ballet Program, International Guest Ballet Master
Polina Semionova
International star, Classical repertoire
Robert Tewsley
Former International Principal Guest Artist. Stager of the ballets by ‘Kenneth MacMillan’
Marie Riquet
Former principal dancer and guest teacher.
Veronica Segovia
Soloist of the Basel Opera Ballet, Performing the repertoire of Marco Goeck
Gaëlle Sadaune
Pianist at the Paris Opera Dance School
Program
Morning
A classical ballet class taught by Thomas Gallus, International Ballet Master and Director of the Exclusive International Ballet Program.
This will be followed by a classical repertoire class taught by international étoile Polina Semionova.
Afternoon
A repertoire class dedicated to the works of Royal Ballet choreographer Kenneth MacMillan, taught by Robert Tewsley, former international étoile, ballet master, and stage director for Kenneth MacMillan’s works.
This will be followed by a workshop focused on the repertoire of renowned choreographer Marco Goecke, taught by Veronica Segovia, dancer with the Theater Basel Ballet.
The day will conclude with rehearsals for the final performance, La Nuit de la Danse.
Round-table discussions will be organized by the instructors to address each student’s artistic and professional development (working methodology, personalized guidance, audition preparation, pathways to professional companies and leading ballet schools, and assessment of each trainee’s artistic potential).
End-of-Program Performance – July 26, 2026
“LA NUIT DE LA DANSE”
For this 4th edition of the Gala La Nuit de la Danse, participants will have the opportunity to perform on stage at the Théâtre Comœdia, in front of a live audience.
This performance will serve as a real-life stage experience and will showcase the work accomplished throughout the Exclusive International Ballet Program. Participants will also have the unique opportunity to share the stage with selected winners from previous editions, who are now professional dancers and soloists in some of the world’s most prestigious dance companies. To crown the evening, internationally renowned étoile dancers and soloists will be specially invited, making “La Nuit de la Danse” an exceptional and unforgettable event.
At the conclusion of the performance, awards will be presented on stage following deliberation by the jury.
Detailed Overview of the 10 Days of the Exclusive International Ballet Program:
Daily Planning
Typical Day
– 10:00–11:30 am: Classical ballet class
– 11:45 am–1:00 pm: Classical repertoire class (girls/boys)
– 1:00–2:00 pm: Lunch
– 2:00–3:15 pm: Kenneth MacMillan repertoire class
– 3:30–4:45 pm: Marco Goecke repertoire
– 5:00–6:15 pm: Rehearsal for the end-of-course performance
Round tables & Free day
Round table and half day rest will be decided during the program
Performance
"La Nuit de la Danse"
24th – 25th July, rehearsal and general rehearsal on stage at the Theatre Comoedia Marmande
26th July 20.00, Performance “La Nuit de la Danse”.
The jury will award prizes to the students who have shown merit during the
week
A period of insertion with an international renowned ballet company :
1 – The Czech National Ballet in Prague
2 – The National Ballet of Portugal in Lisbon
3 – The Ballet Teatro San Carlo in Napoli
4 – The Ballet Staatsoper Hannover
5 – The Bratislava Opera Ballet
6 – The Norwegian National Ballet
7 – The opportunity to participate in the Gala des Étoiles des Hivernales de la Danse in Liège (Belgium). The journey, and hotel (including breakfast) expenses will be covered by the Exclusive international Ballet Program. The Gala consists of two performances and the repertoire will be decided by the director of the ballet program after consultation with the director of the Gala des hivernales de la Danse.
8 – An invitation to the “Prix des Hivernales” in Liège, Belgium.
The jury reserves the right not to award prizes.
Prize recipients
2020 – Ines McIntosh
Invitation to perform at Gala des Étoiles des Hivernales de la Danse de Liege (Belgium).
2020 – Sami Gossart
A weeks insertion at the Czech National Ballet in Prague, at the end of his week there he obtained a contract to start with the company immediately.
2021- Dorian Plasse
Invitation to perform at Gala des Étoiles des Hivernales de la Danse de Liege (Belgium).
2021 – Elena Dombrowski
A weeks insertion at the Czech National Ballet in Prague
2022 – Elena Dombrowski
A weeks insertion at the Czech National Ballet in Prague, at the end of his week there she obtained a contract to start with the company immediately.
2022 – Matoi Kawamoto
Invitation to perform at Gala des Étoiles des Hivernales de la Danse de Liege (Belgium).
2023 – Charlotte Skreiskes
Weeks insertion with the National Ballet of Portugal 2023, after which she received her first professional contract with the company.
2023 – Laudeline.Schor
Invitation to perform at Gala des Étoiles des Hivernales de la Danse de Liege (Belgium).
2024 – Camillo Peticho
Invitation to perform at Gala des Étoiles des Hivernales de la Danse de Liege (Belgium).
2024 – Jeanne L’archevêque, Charlie Pacaud et Ekaterina Bréau
A weeks insertion at the Czech National Ballet in Prague.
2025 – Mai Ezoe, Gala des Étoiles at Les Hivernales de la Danse in Liège (Belgium).
Nina Waelde-Lamy et Maya Sprague, professional integration with the Norwegian National Ballet in Oslo.
Mathilde Awad-stonina et Eleonora Nicoletti, professional integration with the National Ballet of the Czech Republic in Pragu
Nina Waelde-Lamy, professional integration with the Portuguese National Ballet in Lisbon.
Mai Ezoe, professional integration with the Slovak National Ballet in Bratislava.
Accommodation
Accommodation is provided for a total of 12 nights on a full board basis.
Château Mathias
196 Route de la Sauvegarde
47200 Virazeil
France
Price (Package)
Fees
6 hours and 45 minutes of dance per day for 10 days
Meals included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with beverages.
Round-trip transportation (from Marmande SNCF train station or Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport), plus minibus transfers from the château to the dance studio.
Accommodation at Château Mathias (12 nights).
Round-table discussions with the instructors (artistic and professional development, working methodologies, personalized advice, etc.).