Masterclasses
Mock Audition Workshop with Bret Easterling & Spenser Theberge
This workshop will simulate an in-person Juilliard Dance Audition, which is known to be one of the most thorough audition experiences out of college dance programs. Most college and company auditions follow similar formats to this workshop, making it a deeply valuable experience for our dancers.
TENTATIVE OVERVIEW
MASTERCLASSES *All dancers are required to attend this portion from approximately 9:30am-1:00pm*
Contemporary Ballet
Modern / Contemporary Dance
Repertoire & Improvisation (group work)
SOLO SHOWCASE *Required for Seniors*
5–6 additional spots available
INTERVIEWS + FEEDBACK *Available for Seniors and Juniors only*
Short Interview
Individual Feedback touching on strengths and growth areas
Q&A SESSION
All dancers return
Parents welcome to join
FEES
Mini Experience: $190
9:30am-1:00pm
3 Masterclasses (contemporary ballet / contemporary / repertoire + improvisation) + Q&A
Partial Experience: $290
9:30am-2:00pm
3 Masterclasses (listed above) + Solo Showcase + Q&A
Full Experience: $490
9:30am-4:00pm
3 Masterclasses (listed above) + Solo Showcase + Interview Practice and Feedback + Q&A
DRESS CODE
Contemporary Ballet: Form-fitting attire with ballet flats
Contemporary and Repertoire + Improvisation: Form-fitting attire with socks or bare feet, with loose pants available just in case
ABOUT BRET
Bret Easterling has been surrounded by dance ever since he was born in Palo Alto, CA. After growing up in his mother’s dance studio, his career began at the age of seven, dancing in commercial work including a duet with Angela Lansbury in Mrs. Santa Claus, and in Fiona Apple’s music video for Paper Bag. At the age of 11, he was a founding member of Teen Dance Company of the Bay Area, an original cast member of New York Stage Original’s Tap Kids, and an annual performer in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
After high school, Bret moved to New York City to study at The Juilliard School, where he received his BFA and the Hector Zaraspe Prize for Choreography in 2010. While in school, he was a formative member of Andrea Miller’s Gallim Dance, and a guest performer with Buglisi Dance Theatre. Upon graduation, Bret was invited by Ohad Naharin to join the Ensemble Batsheva in Tel Aviv, Israel. He was ultimately promoted to the acclaimed Batsheva Dance Company, which gave him the opportunity to tour internationally, and participate in creative processes with Naharin, Sharon Eyal, and Roy Assaf.
In 2011, Bret began teaching Gaga, and has since had the privilege of sharing this movement language to dancers and people in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Japan, Singapore, Russia, Australia, Canada, and the US.
Bret has always had a strong passion for choreography, and has received numerous honors for his works. He is also a certified Ilan Lev Method practitioner, a rehearsal director for Gallim Dance, and the Artistic Director of BEMOVING.
ABOUT SPENSER
Spenser Theberge is a performer, creator, and educator based in Los Angeles. His work is centered in multidisciplinary practice, including the use of dance, theater, text, film, design, and pedagogy to create genre-defying, innovative performance, visual art, and education environments.
His commissions and collaborations span a range of artists and organizations including The Broad Museum, Taylor Swift, Gibney Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, LA Dance Project, MOCA Geffen, The Juilliard School, NAVEL, Savage x Fenty, Ben Platt, the NY Times Magazine, The Today Show, LAX Festival, and Gothenburg Opera Dance Company, among others.
Spenser is the first ever Artist In Residence at The Juilliard School of Dance, as well as an Artist In Residence at USC’s Kaufman School of Dance, and a former faculty member at the California Institute for the Arts. He has been an invited guest educator at the National Theater of Taiwan, BE Moving, Nuova Officina della Danza, CLI Conservatory, Hochschule fur Musik und Darstellende Kunst, and Springboard Danse, among others.
Spenser has performed the works of the world’s most influential choreographers as a former dancer with Nederlands Dans Theater and The Forsythe Company, and has been a guest artist with Kidd Pivot, Gothenburg Opera Dance Company, the ARIAS Company, Astrid Boons. He is a YoungArts winner, a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, and a Princess Grace Award winner, as well as a proud graduate of the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics and The Juilliard School.
Masterclass with Aika Doone
ABOUT AIKA
Aika Doone is a Los Angeles–based artist, choreographer, and educator with a BFA in Dance Performance from Chapman University. She has performed with companies such as Entity Contemporary Dance, NW Dance Project, Open Space Dance, Backhausdance, and G.U.M. Collective, working with choreographers including Dwight Rhoden, Tyce Diorio, and Ihsan Rustem. Aika teaches worldwide, blending mentorship and research-driven technique to inspire dancers to grow artistically and authentically.
CLASS FEE
PYDC Members: $50
Guests: $60
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Masterclass with Miguel Solano: Artistic Associate & Repetiteur – Complexions Contemporary Ballet
Master Class with Miguel Solano: Artistic Associate & Repetiteur of Complexions Contemporary Ballet
Train with one of today’s leading contemporary ballet companies and get the chance to be considered for Complexions’ Summer & Winter Intensives!
Masterclass with Ocram Dance Movement
ABOUT THE CLASSES
Ages 8-12 (levels 2/3)
+
Ages 13+ (levels intermediate/advanced)
Led by co-directors of Ocram Dance Movement
$60
ABOUT OCRAM DANCE MOVEMENT
Founded in 2013 by Sicilian choreographers and artistic directors Marco Laudani and Claudio Scalia, ocram dance movement is committed to promoting contemporary dance through ongoing physical research and the exploration of new expressive languages. The company stands out for its dynamic and versatile repertoire, enriched by works from the founders as well as guest choreographers such as Glenda Gheller, Roberta Ferrara, Gennaro Maione, and Damiano Scavo.
Ocram champions diversity and inclusion, striving to make dance accessible to all, regardless of background, gender, or origin.
Masterclass with Brady Rowan
ABOUT BRADY
Brady Rowan (instagram linked here) is a dancer and choreographer from Northeast Ohio. After high school, he began choreographing and has earned numerous awards including 2 World Choreography Nominations with Star Dance Alliance. He currently is a company member of MusEffect, a dance company based in Los Angeles, where he performed in the 2022 Industry Dance Awards with Derek Hough and Haley Erbert for Dancers Against Cancer.
Brady travels across the country choreographing and teaching, not only independently, but with MusEffect as well. He regularly assist choreographers such as Katie Hazard and Matthew Fata. He is a principal dancer for Denver based contemporary company, Vitality the Company, directed by Katie Hazard and has performed at many festivals such as Red Rocks and Dumbo Dance Festivals and the Intrigue Closing Gala in Orlando in 2024.
In Los Angeles, he has taught at many prominent studios such as Eighty Eight Studios, Avanti Dance Company and Project 21. He is a professional assistant for Ben Bigler’s new dance convention, Reinforce Dance Experience, where he assists Nikki Charest, Lonni Olson, Jason Martin and many more. He is also on Matthew Fata’s new contemporary dance company, He(art) Dance Company.
He most recently presented work at Los Angeles’ Choreographer’s Carnival in April 2025 and at the Journey Dance Awards where he won Standout Choreographer. He was also selected to showcase work at the World of Dance Summit Los Angeles and Dance Educators Collective’s Choreographer’s Cup in Nashville this summer!
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