Next Steps - Summer Dance Intensives

June 23rd - June 28th, 2025

Register here

Scholarships available!

The School of Theatre and Dance at James Madison University is proud to partner with DanceWorks Chicago (DWC) to present, Next Steps – Summer Dance Intensive. This intensive offers students two exciting program options for engaging with us and DanceWorks Chicago:

1. Check in: June 22nd, 2025
2. 3-day intensive (ages 12-14) June 23rd - June 25th, 2025
3. 6-day intensive (ages 15+) June 23rd - June 28th, 2025

These two dance intensives are designed specifically for committed and curious students ages 12 and up. Participants will study with nationally and internationally recognized artists and experts in the field, and will gain real-world experience being coached in repertory from a professional dance company!

Space is limited for participants and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. There is no audition for the intensive. 

If you are a dancer under 15 years of age and would like to participate in the 6-day intensive, please contact Matt Pardo (pardomj@jmu.edu) to submit a video for acceptance into this instensive.

• Daily technique classes (Ballet, Modern, Contemporary), taught by JMU Dance Faculty and members of DWC, including Artistic Director Julie Nakagawa
• Daily rehearsals of repertory for each program.
  • A new work by JMU Dance Faculty member for the 3-day Intensive
  • Repertory from DanceWorks Chicago for the 6-day intensive
• Professional development seminars including audition preparation with JMU Faculty and Julie Nakagawa.
• 1 performance opportunity for each intensive.  The performances will showcase the repertory work and will allow students to utilize some of their audition skills as well!

***Pictured above: DanceWorks Chicago in DayDream by Joshua Manculich

Photo by Richard Finklestein

2025 Schedules Coming Soon!

Cost Breakdown with On-Campus Housing and Food:

ACTIVITIES: All prices include group activities on and off campus, which will be announced at a later date closer to the registration deadline.

LUNCH: All prices above (even those selecting options for no housing/food) include lunch in the dining hall on campus.

All Payments are 100% refundable until May 23rd, 2025.

Important Deadlines:

1. Scholarship Deadline: May 9th, 2025
   1. Award emails will be sent out on or before May 16th, 2025.  All applicants will be notified either way.
2. Registration withdraw deadline for a 100% refund: May 23rd, 2025

On Campus Housing and Food:

         Next Steps participants have the option to stay in JMU dorms while in the program.  This exciting opportunity allows the students to get the full JMU student experience.

Dorm Information:

• Double Dorm rooms are available. The price above is for double rooms.
• Double rooms will be assigned randomly unless there is a specific request for a roommate.
• Linen service is included in every room:
  • Linens include: 2 sheets, 1 pillowcase, 2 towels, and 1 washcloth.
  • Double towels will be provided for stays greater than four (4) nights. 
  • Linens are provided folded in each room (beds are not pre-made).
  • Pillows are provided (free of charge) for each bed; blankets for air-conditioned dorms.

Campus Dining Information:

• For participants who are staying in campus housing, you will receive 3 meals a day in JMU’s award-winning dining halls.  If you are staying in the dorm, the meal plan is required.
• For those participants who are not staying in the dorm, lunch at the campus dining hall is included in your cost.

Hotel and Harrisonburg Information:

Next Steps participants who are not local, can utilize campus housing/food but are also welcome to stay in hotels in the Harrisonburg area.  If you choose to stay at a hotel, evening supervision is not provided. Please reach out to Matt Pardo (Email: pardomj@jmu.edu) with any specific questions.

For more information on Harrisonburg, please visit the Visit Harrisonburg VA website.

Here are some local hotels that are near the beautiful Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, which will be the base of all Next Steps Summer programs…

1. Hotel Madison – on campus, across the street from the Forbes Center
2. Hyatt Place Harrisonburg - 2.4 miles away
3. Double Tree by Hilton Harrisonburg – 2.4 miles away
4. Clarion Pointe Harrisonburg – 2.4 miles away
5. Courtyard by Marriot Harrisonburg – 2.4 miles away

Next Steps will offer a limited number of needs-based scholarships for the 2025 Summer Intensive. Scholarships are awarded by filling out the Next Steps Scholarship Form before the deadline of May 9th, 2025. You must register for the intensive first and pay in-full before your scholarship application can be processed. The award notifications will be sent out via email on or before May 16th, 2025 and the award recipients will receive a refund for their awarded amount via a card reimbursement.   All payments are 100% refundable up until May 23rd, 2025.

• Q & A session for dancers with current JMU dance majors
• Q & A session for parents, caregivers, dance teachers with JMU and DWC representatives

Dance Faculty: Matt Pardo (JMU-Dance), Julie Nakagawa (DanceWorks Chicago Co-Founder and Artistic Director), Ryan Corriston (JMU-Dance), and Suzanne Miller-Corso (JMU-Dance).

Dance Accompanist: Toby Twining (JMU-Dance)

Questions? Please contact Matt Pardo at pardomj@jmu.edu