ABOUT THE PROGRAM
A NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR
FACULTY
AUDITION
FAQS
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ABOUT THE PROGRAM
A NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR
FACULTY
AUDITION
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
THE PROGRAM
Who are the faculty?
All of our faculty are working professionals in the dance industry. These choreographers are booking professional dancers for jobs throughout the year. The connections we provide to our students with our 100+ CLI Conservatory faculty members are a key aspect that makes the CLI Conservatory unique. Our instructors include Teddy Forance, Martha Nichols, Tiler Peck, Brian Friedman, Robert Green, Talia Favia, Brian Nicholson, Micaela Taylor, Chris Scott, Lex Ishimoto, Kathryn McCormick, Riley Watts, and more. See more faculty here.
What training is offered in addition to dance classes?
Building a successful professional dance career requires more than amazing technique and movement quality. That’s why we believe in providing dancers holistic training across dance, wellness, and business so that they are prepared to step into the industry with confidence. From nutrition to entrepreneurship to personal branding, our dancers receive practical guidance in the most important skills that will help them succeed in their careers.
Are there any performance opportunities at the CLI Conservatory?
There are many amazing performance opportunities throughout the program. Students will have the opportunity to perform in student-choreographed pieces during our Student showcase and in faculty-choreographed pieces for creative films and our end-of-year showcase. In addition, there will be many opportunities throughout the year to film with our in-house production team!
What is a typical schedule?
Classes run Monday through Friday from 9 AM – 6:30 PM. Here is an example of a day in the life of our dancers:
  • 9:00 – 10:20 AM – Ballet with Riley Watts
  • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Contemporary with Lucy Vallely
  • 12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch Break
  • 1:00 – 2:20 PM – Jazz with Martha Nichols
  • 2:30 – 3:50 PM – Hip-Hop with JBlaze
  • 4:00 – 5:20 PM – Heels with Liana Blackburn
  • 5:30 – 6:30 PM – Wellness with Krysia St Cyr
When does the program start and end?
The CLI Conservatory is a ten-month training program designed to prepare students to enter the professional world of dance. The Class of 2026 program begins in September 2025 and ends in June 2026. Final dates for the Class of 2026 will be shared with students in the summer of 2025.
How do you help dancers find job opportunities to start their careers?
Landing your first gig is about more than just being an amazing dancer. It takes a complex set of connections, skills, and experience to find the right opportunities and position yourself to stand out. Throughout the ten-month program, our dancers form connections with working choreographers to build their networks, create portfolios of photo and video assets to market themselves, and gain the experience and skills needed to nail it at auditions. We do more than just prepare you for auditions. Every year, we hold private auditions with all of the major dance agencies, innovative dance companies, and leading performing arts companies, like Cirque Du Soliel and the major cruise lines. Our dancers have gone on to book music tours, awards shows, music videos, films, cruise ships, Broadway shows, and much more!
More related questions
AUDITIONS
What should I submit for my audition video?
The main goal of the video submission is for our team to see your unique dancing ability so we can assess if you’re a good fit for our program. You should submit a video in any style of dance that you feel best demonstrates your abilities. The video should be a solo, approximately one to three minutes in length (no duos, trios, or groups please). Your video can feature original choreography, a piece choreographed by someone else, or improvisation in any style of your choice. Video reels that you’ve edited together are also acceptable submissions. Please limit your submission to one video and one application.
Who should audition? How old do I have to be to audition?
The CLI Conservatory is a pre-professional program for dancers looking to embark on a professional dance career. Dancers must be 17 years old or older, or a high school graduate to apply.
When do auditions close?
Admissions for the CLI Conservatory are conducted on a rolling basis. We encourage interested dancers to audition as soon as possible as we cannot guarantee space for those who wait. Various scholarships will be available for exceptional dancers who audition by the November 1st Early Registration and March 1st Priority Admission deadlines. Regular auditions will close in the spring of 2025.
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FINANCIAL PLANNING
How much is tuition?
Tuition is $27,500 for the ten-month program. We offer bi-monthly and upfront payment plans.
Do you offer scholarships or financial aid?
The CLI Conservatory was created to provide some of the most promising dancers from around the world with a new path to a professional career in dance. In developing the Conservatory, we were committed to making this program as affordable and accessible for students and their families, while maintaining the highest standards in dance training and education. We understand that the CLI Conservatory still represents a significant investment in your dancer’s future. To help families manage the cost of the program, we offer scholarships for dancers who commit by our Early Registration and Priority Admissions deadlines. Additionally, we offer a limited number of scholarships through our convention and competition partners.
LOCATION &
HOUSING
Where is the CLI Conservatory located?
The CLI Conservatory is located in Southampton, Massachusetts. Southampton is roughly three hours from New York City and two hours from Boston, in the backyard of the iconic performance space Jacob’s Pillow. We chose this location because it allows dancers to focus on their dance training with CLI Studios’ world-renowned faculty, free from the distractions of a busy major city.
Are there housing options?
Yes! We have partnered with local developments to offer housing to students. All housing facilities are set up dorm-style within townhomes or apartments, located approximately 15 minutes from the studio.
What is the cost of housing?
Housing rates for the Class of 2026 are $750 per month for double-occupancy housing and $1,200 per month for single-occupancy housing.
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