Welcome from the Director
The Dance Department offers two exciting opportunities for aspiring dancers to experience dance at DeSales University! We invite you to spend one or two weeks on our beautiful campus, immersing yourself in dance with the faculty of the Dance Department and other esteemed guest artists. Whether you are attending SDI or Youth SDI, we are confident you’ll leave inspired, and renewed after experiencing a wide array of classes and dance styles in our studios
We can’t wait to see you in our studios this summer!
Julia Mayo
Director and Chair of Dance
*Youth SDI: July 13-17, 2026
SDI: July 20-31, 2026
Available Programs
For Ages 14+
The Summer Dance Intensive offers professional dance training for students ages 14+. The program focuses on technical training in ballet, modern, and hip hop, with additional master classes with sought after professionals in forms such African dance, Jazz, Improvisation, Pilates, Contemporary Repertoire, Injury Prevention, and Yoga. The two-week program will culminate in an informal presentation. Interested students must have previous dance training.
For Ages 11-13
The Youth Summer Dance Intensive is designed for dancers ages 11-13 to experience the joy and rigor of dance in a supportive environment with caring artist educators. The program offers training in ballet, modern, and hip hop, with additional master classes in jazz, contemporary, and injury prevention. Interested students should have previous dance training.
Program Information
Youth SDI Sample Schedule
- 9:00-10:15am: Technique Class
- 10:30am-11:45am: Technique Class
- 11:45am-12:45pm: Lunch Break
- 12:45pm-1:45pm: Injury prevention
- 2:00-3:00pm: Master Class
SDI Sample Schedule
- 9:00-10:15am: Technique Class
- 10:30am-11:45am: Technique Class
- 11:45am-12:45pm: Lunch Break
- 12:45pm-1:45pm: Electives
- 2:00-3:15pm: Technique Class
- 3:30pm-5:00pm: Master Class or Repertory Rehearsal
* Individual schedules based on level placements will be provided to students on the first day of the program.
Students participating in SDI* have the opportunity to get a more authentic college experience by living on campus and taking part in extra activities. Students will enjoy staying air-conditioned rooms in Chappuis Hall, located next to the Brisson Dance Studio, with residential advisors who live with the students and attend all classes and meals with them. Residential students will be given a roommate and students who are attending with a friend can request to be roommates. Two rooms share one bathroom between them.
The following are included in room and board costs:
- Three meals a day at the University Center cafeteria (any exception to this will be included in a schedule sent out to residents closer to the start of SDI)
- Laundry facilities in the residence hall, free of charge
- Rehearsals for a piece set on the residents by the Residential Advisors
- Extra master classes
- Outings and activities - examples include mini-golf, game and movie nights, shopping in downtown Bethlehem, attending a performance by the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, and more!
*The residential option is not available for Youth SDI.
Youth SDI
- 1-week intensive (July 13-17)
- Tuition: $525
- Application fee: $25
- Total: $550
Youth SDI Refund Policy
Students who withdraw June 15, 2026 will receive a full tuition refund less a $25 application fee. Students who withdraw between June 16 and July 1, 2026 will receive a full tuition refund less a $100 tuition deposit and $25 application fee.
NO MONEY will be refunded FOR ANY REASON after July 2, 2026.
SDI
2-week Intensive (July 20-31)
- Tuition: $970
- Application Fee: $25
- Total: $995
1-week Intensive (July 20-25)
- Tuition: $650
- Application Fee: $25
- Total: $675
Payment plans can be arranged upon request. Please email SDI@desales.edu for more information.
Residential Fees
*For more information on the residential program please email SDI@desales.edu.
2-week Residential
- Room: $650
- Board: $400
- Residential Program Activities Fee: $200
- Total: $1250
1-week Residential
- Room: $350
- Board: $200
- Residential Program Activities Fee: $100
- Total: $650
SDI Refund Policy
Students who withdraw before June 30, 2026 will receive a full tuition refund less a $25 application fee. Students who withdraw between July 1 and July 10, 2025 will receive a tuition refund less a $100 tuition deposit and the $25 application fee.
NO MONEY will be refunded FOR ANY REASON after July 11, 2026.
- July 1, 2025, for Youth SDI or until program reaches capacity
- July 1, 2025 for SDI residential students
- July 15, 2025 for SDI non-residential students
All fees must be paid prior to check-in or student will not be permitted to take class. There is a $25 non-refundable registration fee for applying.
Advanced students attending SDI with a high school graduation date of 2028 or prior, with at least three years of dance training, may audition to register under DA 301 and receive 3 credits from DeSales University. Qualified students must register for and participate in the full two-week intensive. The deadline to audition for college credit is July 1, 2026.
Youth SDI does not offer college credit.
A limited number of scholarships are available for exceptional students wishing to attend SDI. Scholarships are only available to students enrolling in the two-week intensive. Awards will be given as a discount off tuition but do not include room and board fees.
Scholarship application deadline: May 1, 2026
“I learned so much from having so many different teachers with a wide range of teaching styles and really came to know my strengths and weaknesses as a dancer. The two weeks were so worth my time not only because of the amazing training I received but also because I made lasting friendships and had the most fun of my summer doing activities with them as a resident student after classes!”
“SDI not only helped me improve as a dancer, but as a person as well. I greatly enjoyed working with the teachers and staying on campus was another wonderful experience in itself. It was truly an amazing experience and I highly recommend it for anybody who is interested in keeping dance in their life after high school and college.”
“SDI was a great experience for me, especially because I am looking to pursue dance as my career. I loved every second of it and I hope to return next year! SDI was a very memorable 2 weeks and I gained so much from this experience.”
“SDI gave me the opportunity to explore a variety of styles, with a great deal of teachers in just two weeks. Every teacher was informative and amazing to work with. Each instructor taught me something different about dance and performing and about myself as well. It was an amazing opportunity to work and connect with all the teachers, as well as the other students. We had so much fun, while also learning and expanding our comfort levels. Please continue offering a variety of classes as you do, as well as include the screen dance information session. I feel as though that was very interesting and important for upcoming dancers. Thank you so much for the experience!”
“The thing for me was I came very close to giving up dance completely, but this intensive helped me find my love for dance again. I'm the happiest I've ever been now.”
“I thought the program was very beneficial! 2 weeks of dancing and I can definitely see a difference in my technique and confidence level. I think it's a good opportunity to get you to take classes outside of your studio and away from the dancers you always dance with! It really shows you how you can handle different challenges.”
Summer Dance Intensive
Contact
-
610-282-1100 x1243 -
sdi@desales.edu -
2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034
