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BEYOND TECHNIQUE SUMMER INTENSIVE
Beyond Technique | 3-week Intensive | July 6-25, 2026 | Ages 14-22 | Dorms 14-20
Tuition $1,950 | Housing with meal plan $2,350
Beyond Technique is a one-of-a-kind program for advanced dancers that prioritizes both technical excellence and performance artistry. This program is a company immersion intensive, which models a professional company's daily structure, providing dancers with authentic career preparation.
Students train with Ballet Memphis School faculty, company dancers, rehearsal directors, and Artistic Director Steven McMahon. They learn acclaimed repertoire and perform classical and contemporary works, developing as complete artists.
Key features include small-group coaching, hands-on experience with the company's distinctive choreographic style, and a professional-level, fully produced public performance, preparing advanced students for professional careers while developing their unique artistic voices.
Program Highlights:
- Daily training modeled on the schedule and rigor of a professional dance company
- Instruction from professional dancers who bring real-world experience to every class
- Learning repertoire from Ballet Memphis's acclaimed performances
- Direct coaching from Ballet Memphis rehearsal directors and Artistic Director Steven McMahon
- Small-group sessions for personalized artistic development
- Culminating public performance showcasing students' growth
Audition Dates/Times (additional dates/locations TBD):
Feb 8, 2026 | 2pm | Memphis, TN
Feb 15, 2026 | 2pm | Chicago, IL
Feb 22, 2026 | 2pm | Nashville, TN
*Feb 22, 2026 | 2pm | St. Louis, MO
Mar 1, 2026 | 2pm | Madison, MS
*RESCHEDULED from Feb 1 due to weather
Video Audition Requirements for students unable to audition in person
To take advantage of what the amazing city of Memphis has to offer, we will take special weekend excursions to places including the world class Memphis Zoo and Redbirds Stadium!
WATCH VIDEO
PHOTO GALLERY
UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS DORM PHOTOS
Summer Faculty
Steven McMahon
Artistic Director
Brandon Ramey
Co-Director of School and YBM
Virginia Pilgrim Ramey
Co-Director of School and YBM
Julie Niekrasz
Rehearsal Director
Ben Delony
Rehearsal Director
Eileen Frazer
Teaching Artist and Community Programs Manager
Demetrious Reed
Company Artist
Emilia Sandoval
Company Artist
Artistic Director
Steven McMahon
Steven McMahon was born in Glasgow, Scotland, where he began his dance training at The Dance School of Scotland. In 2001, Steven moved to the United States to continue his studies at the Ailey School in New York City, where he graduated with honors. In 2004, Steven joined Ballet Memphis as a company dancer and, for the next 13 seasons, danced in much of the company's original repertoire by noted choreographers such as Julia Adam, Trey McIntyre, Mark Godden, Matthew Neenan, and Gabrielle Lamb.
In 2005, Steven created his first work, "What Your Soul Sings," for the dancer-produced program Interiorworks. Soon after, Ballet Memphis's Founding Artistic Director, Dorothy Gunther Pugh, named him Choreographic Associate. Since then, Steven has created over 40 original works that show a great range in scale and style. Major full-length productions for Ballet Memphis include Dracula, Peter Pan, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, and the Wizard of Oz. Steven continues to expand his repertoire with works such as A Rare and Gentle Thing, which is danced to the music of icon Dolly Parton, and This Form Shall Rest by bluegrass/folk musician Rhiannon Giddens. Steven has collaborated with several Memphis-based artists and musicians, including visual artist Erin Harmon (Flyway), Memphis record Label Unapologetic and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for his dance film Out of the Blue; his work Confluence was performed at the Joyce Theater in NYC; his works I AM and Being Here with Other People have been seen at the Spring to Dance Festival in St. Louis.
Steven received the Young Scots Achiever Award in 2001. He graduated from the New Memphis Leadership and Development Institute and is a fellow of National Arts Strategies Senior Leadership and the Salzburg Global Seminars Young Cultural Innovators program. Steven is a member of Dance Memphis, which promotes dance in his adopted city. In 2018, he was named Artistic Director of Ballet Memphis, a position he still holds today.
Co-Director of School and YBM
Brandon Ramey
Brandon Ramey is a native of Boston, Massachusetts and joined Ballet Memphis in 2009 as a company artist. He trained at the Boston Ballet School, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and received a full merit scholarship to the prestigious San Francisco Ballet School where he was also a trainee. Career highlights include Matthew Neenan’s The Darting Eyes and Water of the Flowery Mill, Trey McIntyre’s Memphis Suite and In Dreams, Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Albrecht in Giselle, Prince Charming in Steven McMahon’s Cinderella, and the male lead in Balanchine’s Square Dance. He retired from the stage in 2023 and is now Co-Director of Ballet Memphis School and Youth Ballet Memphis with his wife, fellow former company dancer, Virginia Pilgrim Ramey. They have 2 daughters.
Co-Director of School and YBM
Virginia Pilgrim Ramey
Virginia Pilgrim Ramey is a native of Memphis, TN. She began her training at the Ballet Memphis School and joined the professional company at the age of 17. Her career highlights include the leading roles in Giselle and Steven McMahon’s Cinderella, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Sugar Plum Fairy in Nutcracker, and the female lead in George Balanchine’s Square Dance. While with Ballet Memphis, she has also had the great privilege of dancing featured roles in many world premieres by contemporary choreographers such as Julia Adam, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Mark Godden, Alia Kache, Gabrielle Lamb, Trey McIntyre, Matthew Neenan, Crystal Perkins, and Reggie Wilson. She retired from the stage in 2023 and is now Co-Director of Ballet Memphis School and Youth Ballet Memphis with her husband, fellow former company dancer, Brandon Ramey. They have 2 daughters.
Rehearsal Director
Julie Niekrasz
Rehearsal Director
Ben Delony
Teaching Artist and Community Programs Manager
Eileen Frazer
Company Artist
Demetrious Reed
Company Artist
Emilia Sandoval
FAQs
We offer three ways to audition: our multi-city Regional Audition Tour, via video submission or by scheduling a placement class with Ballet Memphis School Co-Director, Brandon Ramey – Bramey@balletmemphis.org. Please visit our Dance Apply for specific dates and registration links.
Our program is designed for dancers ages 14 to 22, though dorms are only offered to students ages 14-20.
Results are typically sent via email within 10–14 business days after your audition.
Classes run Monday through Saturday, typically from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
A standard day includes:
- Technique Class (1.5 hours)
- Snack Break (15 minutes)
- Classical Repertoire: Variations, Pas De Deux, or Classical Excerpts (2 hours)
- Lunch Break (45 min)
- Contemporary Repertoire: Contemporary Solos or Original Choreography (1.5 hours)
- Conditioning or Discussion: Each day ends with time for students’ minds and bodies to recover. Conditioning includes Pilates and cross-training offered by certified instructors. Discussion includes interviews and Q&A time with professional artists. (1 hour)
Yes! We conclude the intensive with a Final Showcase! This is a fully produced event where students perform classical repertoire and new works learned during the program with lights, costumes, and a live audience.
We do not assign dancers to static numerical levels. Instead, our program mirrors the structure of a professional ballet company. Dancers are cast in repertoire based on their technical proficiency, physical strength, and artistic maturity. This allows each student to be challenged by choreography that specifically suits their current developmental stage.
The first two days of the program serve as an orientation and placement period. Faculty will observe dancers in technique classes and initial rehearsals to determine the best repertoire assignments for each individual. Final casting is typically posted by the second day of the session.
Not necessarily. While rehearsal groups are determined by the specific demands of the choreography, technique classes are grouped to ensure that every dancer receives the appropriate foundational training. This "hybrid" approach allows you to work with a variety of peers and faculty members throughout the day.
Our goal is to ensure that every dancer has a meaningful performance experience. Casting is used to determine the difficulty and style of the repertoire you will perform, rather than the quantity of time spent on stage.
Yes. We offer chaperoned dormitory housing at the University of Memphis located just a short shuttle ride from the studios. The dorms feature 24/7 security, meal plans, and organized weekend activities.
A Suggested Packing List will be provided to all students as part of the Registration Packet once you have been accepted and have secured your spot. The guide will include dancewear requirements, shoe recommendations, and other residential needs.
We want our dancers to experience the city! Planned activities include trips to the Memphis’ baseball team, The Redbirds, and the Memphis Zoo. These trips are required for dorm students, but there is no additional cost.
Roommate requests can be submitted during the enrollment process. We do our best to honor requests, provided both dancers request each other.
Yes. We maintain a professional atmosphere with a specific dress code. A detailed dress code will be provided in the Registration Packet.
Refunds are considered on a case-by-case basis.
A limited number of merit-based scholarships are awarded during the audition tour. We also offer a small number of need-based positions. Please contact Ballet Memphis School Co-Director, Brandon Ramey at Bramey@balletmemphis.org for more information.
