Dance Center at Interlochen Center for the Arts

- Green Lake Township, MI 49643

For ambitious young dancers across Michigan and beyond, the Dance Center at Interlochen Center for the Arts stands as a beacon of pre-professional training. Located on Interlochen's expansive campus in Green Lake Township, this center is the dedicated facility for the Dance Division of the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy, a world-renowned arts boarding high school. It represents the pinnacle of specialized arts education in Northern Michigan, where students in grades 9-12 transform their passion for dance into purposeful, intensive study.

The Dance Center is committed to providing a rigorous, ballet-based program that prepares students for collegiate programs and professional careers in the dance world. Training is balanced across technical excellence, artistic expression, and physical wellness. Students benefit from the guidance of a distinguished faculty—many of whom have danced, directed, and choreographed globally—and have the unique opportunity to collaborate with other young artists in music, theatre, and other disciplines across the Interlochen campus. Set on a stunning, 1,200-acre campus nestled between two lakes, the environment itself is designed to inspire, making it a truly exceptional place for young artists to thrive both academically and creatively.

Whether a Michigan student dreams of joining a top ballet company or pushing the boundaries of contemporary movement, the Dance Center provides the necessary tools, environment, and opportunities to realize their potential. The facility also plays a central role during the summer months, hosting highly-regarded Dance Summer Programs and Intensives for younger students (grades 3-12) from across the globe.

The Dance Center is an integral part of the sprawling Interlochen Center for the Arts campus, located in Green Lake Township, Michigan. This serene, wooded location in Northern Michigan, situated immediately south of the community of Interlochen, is only about 10 miles southwest of the popular vacation destination, Traverse City. The setting is ideal, providing a focused, natural backdrop away from urban distractions.

The official mailing address for the institution is:

Address: Green Lake Township, MI 49643, USA

Despite its natural, rural setting, the facility prioritizes modern accessibility and convenience for students and visitors:

• The recently expanded facility includes ADA-compliant accessibility features.
• It features a Wheelchair accessible entrance.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot is available, ensuring ease of access to the state-of-the-art building.
• The campus offers on-site lodging and dining facilities, supporting both full-time high school boarders and summer program participants.

The Dance Center is the dedicated training hub for the Interlochen Arts Academy’s Dance Division, offering a comprehensive high school curriculum and various summer programs.

The key services and training programs include:

• High School Dance Major (Arts Academy):
  • A full-time, pre-professional curriculum for high school students focusing intensively on classical ballet and contemporary techniques.
• Core Dance Curriculum:
  • Daily classes in Classical Technique (Ballet), Pointe, Contemporary Technique, and Pas de Deux.
  • Specialized classes for male-identifying dancers focusing on virtuoso technique, jumps, and turns.
• Wellness and Conditioning Courses:
  • Required courses in Kinesiology and Body Conditioning, incorporating Pilates, Yoga, and injury prevention strategies.
  • Access to an on-site physical therapist (as recommended).
• Performance and Repertoire:
  • Training in Dance Repertoire, preparing students for performance in various choreographic styles.
  • Opportunities to perform in two fully-produced ballets set to live orchestras each academic year.
• Audition Preparation and Master Classes:
  • Guidance for college auditions and regular master classes with esteemed guest artists from major international dance companies.
• Summer Arts Camp Dance Programs:
  • Short-term summer intensives (1-3 weeks) for students in grades 3-12, including specialized tracks in Classical Ballet, Contemporary Dance, and Hip-Hop.

The Dance Center at Interlochen is renowned in Michigan and globally for its exceptional facilities and program quality:

• World-Class, Award-Winning Facility: The recently expanded and renovated 25,000 square-foot Dance Center is a state-of-the-art facility that has received prestigious architecture accolades, designed to rival the rehearsal spaces of professional dance companies.
• Scenic Lakeside Studios: The Center features spacious, climate-controlled studios—some with 16-foot ceilings—all outfitted with sprung-wood floors, Marley flooring, professional barres, and enormous eight-foot windows that provide stunning, unobstructed views of Green Lake.
• Live Musical Accompaniment: A rare and significant feature, all classes and major performances utilize professional, live musicians (pianists, etc.) instead of recorded music, fostering a deeper musicality in the dancers.
• Pre-Professional Performance Opportunities: High school dancers perform in fully produced, large-scale ballets (like The Nutcracker) with the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra, providing unparalleled professional experience.
• Holistic Arts Environment: Students are immersed in a comprehensive arts environment, allowing for interdisciplinary collaboration with students and faculty from Interlochen’s other arts majors, including Music, Theatre, and Film.
• Distinguished Alumni Network: Graduates from the Dance Division frequently go on to attend top collegiate programs or join prestigious professional companies worldwide, including Ballet West, Boston Ballet, and Nederlands Dans Theater.

For prospective Michigan students and families interested in the Arts Academy or Summer Camp Dance programs, or for general inquiries regarding the Dance Center, please reach out to Interlochen Center for the Arts:

Address: Green Lake Township, MI 49643, USA (Part of the larger Interlochen campus)

While a direct phone number for the Dance Center is not provided separately from the main campus contacts, interested parties can typically reach the admissions or general information office through the main Interlochen phone line.

General Phone: (231) 276-9221 (This is the primary Interlochen Center for the Arts phone line for inquiries and admissions.)

Choosing the Dance Center at Interlochen means opting for the highest caliber of specialized pre-professional arts education available in Michigan. For high school students with serious aspirations in dance, it is the clear choice for several reasons. First, the unparalleled quality of the physical facilities, with its lake-view, state-of-the-art studios, creates an inspiring and safe training environment that few institutions can match. Second, the combination of rigorous classical ballet training with robust contemporary and wellness curricula ensures a well-rounded and resilient dancer.

Crucially, Interlochen offers a unique, immersive cultural experience that goes far beyond technique class. The opportunity to rehearse to live music and perform with a live orchestra instills a level of musicality and professionalism that is essential for a career in the arts. Furthermore, the supportive community of dedicated peer artists in Northern Michigan fosters creativity and personal growth. For Michigan families who understand the commitment required for a career in dance, Interlochen's Dance Center is not just a school; it is a dedicated launching pad for the next generation of world-class dancers.

Dance Center at Interlochen Center for the Arts

Green Lake Township, MI 49643, USA