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A six week program from July 1st to August 13th, 2008, beginning with four weeks in Long Beach, CA, studying with master teachers, choreographers and coaches, and culminating in a two week performing tour in China during the 2008 Olympic Games
The Long Beach Ballet, under the artistic direction of David Wilcox, has been asked to assemble a group of passionate, talented, advanced level ballet students to represent the U.S. in China during the Olympics. This select group of United States Ballet Ambassadors is being formed in cooperation with the National Ballet of China in Guangzhou, the local Chinese governments of Guangdong and Liaoning, theatrical agents in Beijing, and under the administrative guidance of American Tour Management International.

Thirty-five dancers will be selected for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. All dancers will receive complimentary round trip airfare to China. Auditions will be conducted in January by Long Beach Ballet Artistic Director David Wilcox. Please see below for detailed program information and audition dates and times.

David Wilcox has been selected for this unique honor by Chinese representatives due to his extensive ties with the ballet world in China. The only American choreographer to have staged three full- length ballets on Chinese companies, David Wilcox has also produced six ballet tours to China with American ballet dancers, most recently in August of 2006, with his successful production of “Ballet American Style,” (link) which was received by the local audiences in Guangzhou with grateful enthusiasm. A limited number of spaces are available for family members on the two week China tour.

Tour Itinerary Outline

4 weeks in Long Beach, California  --
     Classes and rehearsals with world-renown choreographers and coaches.

1 day in Hong Kong  – Sightseeing

3 days in Guangzhou  –  Performances and sightseeing

5 days in Anshan – Performances and sightseeing

5 days in and around Beijing –

     Performances, attending the Olympics, visiting the Great Wall and the Forbidden City

Travel and hotels in China during the 2008 China Olympics will be prohibitively expensive for the average American citizen.  However, American Tour Management International has been able to secure cooperation and assistance from the Chinese government and will provide complimentary round trip airfare to China for those dancers selected for the tour.  Discounted airfare will be provided for accompanying family members.

  ATMI has managed many performing tours to China over the years, each of them memorable and exciting in its own way, but none with such “once-in-a-lifetime” implications as this.  The 2008 Ballet Ambassadors to China is certainly a milestone event for the U.S. dance world, especially as it coincides with what will be the grandest Olympic Games in history.  As David Wilcox declares, "The people of China love Americans, and our dancers have always been treated like royalty."

COST Dancers $5,650 for the six week program includes: Dormitory housing, meals and transportation in Long Beach (deduct $800.00 if residing privately). Four weeks of classes and rehearsals with master teachers and coaches in Long Beach. Two pairs of pointe shoes and tights. Disneyland excursion.  Beach party.  Barbecue. Airfare LAX - Hong Kong - Beijing - LAX Two weeks in China: hotels, meals, transportation, sightseeing*, tickets to Olympic events, performance expenses and visas. Accompanying family members: $4,730.00 for the two week China tour (July 29th - August 13th) includes:  Airfare LAX - Hong Kong - Beijing - LAX Visas, hotels, meals. Transportation and sightseeing*. Tickets to Olympic events Tickets to all performances of "Ballet American Style" in China. *Sightseeing will include The Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City, The Emperor's Summer Palace, and many more historic sites, plus once-in-a-lifetime shopping opportunities.

 Audition Cities

Dancers interested in this tour must audition in person or submit a DVD or video. 

Please download the Registration Form and bring it completed to the audition.  The cost of the audition is $20.00.  All auditions will be conducted by David Wilcox and Johnny Zhong.  After the selection process, a non-refundable deposit of $500.00 per person must be submitted to reserve a place in the program (this includes accompanying family members).   A second payment of 50% of the balance will be due April 1st, 2008.  Final payment will be due June 10th, 2008.

Video Audition

If you are unable to attend an audition in person, you may submit a VHS tape or DVD.  Download a Video Audition Form and submit it to the Long Beach Ballet no later than February 4th, 2008.

Housing in Long Beach

Students are housed at the beautiful dormitories of California State University Long Beach, approximately two miles from the school in one of the most prestigious areas of Long Beach.  Also, the beautiful and serene Japanese Gardens are within walking distance of the dorms.

The residence provides a safe and secure atmosphere with its own security system, including television monitors and on-campus security guards. Chaperones from Long Beach Ballet reside at the dormitories, travel with the students to class, and see to their needs while maintaining a professional atmosphere. Airport transportation is available to and from dormitories.

Meals

Three meals each weekday and two meals on weekends while in Long Beach. Lunch is be provided "buffet style" at Long Beach Ballet, including fresh fruit, bagels, yogurt, vegetables, etc.  In China all meals will be provided in the hotel restaurants, at site-seeing destinations, or will occasionally be provided at the theater before performances.
 

Student and Parent comments from previous Long Beach Ballet Summer Programs...