Curated by NB2 Director Maria Konrad, this invite-only intensive program features Nashville Ballet’s world-class faculty and artistic staff. Designed to immerse dancers in the contemporary ballet world, dancers will take daily classes in Classical Ballet and Contemporary Technique as well as Contemporary Pointe, Contemporary Partnering, Improvisation for the Ballet Dancer, and Contemporary Repertoire.

Contemporary Intensive (Ages 15+)
June 9-13, 2025
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
$800 Tuition, Optional Housing & Meals $1,300
$100 Non-Refundable Registration Fee

Junior Contemporary Intensive (Ages 12-14)
June 9-13, 2025
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
$800 Tuition, Optional Housing & Meals $1,300
$100 Non-Refundable Registration Fee

About the classes:

CONTEMPORARY TECHNIQUE Experience M. Konrad’s Contemporary Technique class, developed specifically for the needs of the ballet dancers; placing emphases on the articulation of the epaulment, joint strength, breath of movement, release of the spine, and the distinction of parallel and rotated positions. She explains how each exercise relates to classical ballet technique and moves into contemporary technique of today

CONTEMPORARY POINTE CLASS This class incorporates the needs of contemporary pointe work today, including articulation of the foot, strengthening exercises and transitions from parallel to turned out positions. The class includes a pointe barre, dynamic across-the-floor exercises, and contemporary pointe phrase work in center. Students may choose to participate in pointe shoes or in ballet slippers.

CONTEMPORARY REPERTOIRE Students learn from the diverse Nashville Ballet repertoire that includes some of the most cutting-edge creators of today. This class will emphasize attention to detail, focus on learning material quickly, and the history of existing works.

IMPROVISATION FOR THE BALLET DANCER Improvisation can be overwhelming and nerve-racking for ballet students! Students are given clear structures and directives that help them make the connection from classical lines to contemporary vocabulary created from their own body. Choreographers often ask dancers to “move in space”. This class readies dancers to create phrase work with freedom and less stress

CONTEMPORARY PARTNERING This class explores weight transfer, grip transitioning, and articulation of contemporary release with classical ballet line.

Maria Konrad

MARIA A. KONRAD holds a BFA in Performing Arts from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her work “Maestro” was commissioned for the Mariinsky under the direction of Yuri Fateev. She was commissioned to set works for the 2022 Nervi Festival in Italy. She has worked with Philadelphia Ballet 2, Nashville Ballet 2 and Oklahoma City Ballet 2. Ms. Konrad’s choreography has been presented at the Spoleto Festival, The Fringe Festival, Florida Dance Festival, Miami Dade Cultural, The Kravis Center and STEPS on Broadway. She has choreographed Les Perles Fishuers and Aida for Opera Tampa. She has been a Master Teacher with the Joffrey Ballet (Chicago), The Colorado Ballet, The Tulsa Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, University of the Arta, Philadelphia Ballet to name a few. 

She received “Outstanding Choreographer” recognition for her body of work at the YAGP 2022 International Finals presented by POINTE magazine. She served on the 2018 faculty at The International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. She has been a guest instructor for the fitness line “Eleven” with Venus Williams. She has recently She also hosts series “Barre Talk” for So’Danca on YOU TUBE where she chats, laughs and loves with some of the biggest names in dance.