Academics Meet Académie

Success is often found when preparation meets opportunity.  

Northwest Florida Ballet’s (NFB) Académie and Pre-Professional Program give both to its students.  

The success of both programs is owed in great part to NFB’s artistic director and CEO Todd Allen. After an impressive two-decade dance career working throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, Allen returned home to Fort Walton Beach in 1996 to take over instruction at his childhood dance school, NFB. After some time, Allen brought to the school district his idea to bridge the gap between academic and dance education.  

“What makes us unique, is that we have that partnership with the Okaloosa County School District for the academic block of our program,” Allen says.  

In 2001, NFB opened the Académie for students in grades 3 through 8 in partnership with the Okaloosa County School District. In 2012, NFB started a Pre-Professional Program, similarly designed for high school-aged students. The two programs give students an opportunity to achieve an enriching academic education while also honing in on focuses of dance education. 

From 7-10:30 a.m. Monday-Friday, Pre-Professional Program students attend classes through a local high school, homeschooling, or through Florida Virtual School online, earning credits toward their high school diploma. Following the academic morning, students transition to dance training in the afternoon, followed by additional company classes and rehearsals.  

“By graduation, they will have earned eight fine arts credits through the Pre-Professional Program,” Allen says. 

With approximately 25 students, male and female, in the Pre-Professional Program, classes are small enough for individualized coaching and artistic development. Auditions are required for admission to the school, and enrollment comes at no cost to the student or family. Students do also participate in the tuition-based NFB company or trainee programs offered after school. Fundraising opportunities and scholarships are available to students to cover the expense of after-school classes.  

Todd Allen,
Artistic director and CEO, Northwest Florida Ballet. Photo by Mari Darr-Welch

“Dance is very competitive,” Allen says, “and being a professional dancer is like any professional sport. It takes a lot of practice and dedication.” 

The premise of the program is two-fold, providing a heavy emphasis on dance while developing a broad range of life skills. Beyond dancing, the program guides students through resume building, writing prospect emails to companies and programs, professional and collegiate application and audition preparation, and self-promotion.   

“We spend a lot of time discussing what it means to have a dance career,” Allen says. “What will life look like? Do they have a backup plan if they are unable or are not ready to get into a professional company?” 

In addition to classical ballet, students study contemporary ballet, jazz, modern dance techniques, classical variations, pointe, and technical proficiency.  

“We also work on body conditioning and strength training for injury reduction,” Allen says. “I have  a team of skilled instructors who help maintain high standards for the program. I employ alumni whenever possible and bring in guest artists to provide diverse experiences and allow students to ask questions.” 

According to Allen, there are many pathways to a career in dance. Students can major in dance or ballet in college, which might lead to a professional career in a company or as a teacher. They can also audition for a job in a professional dance company without attending college.  

“We want students to understand the nuances if they forgo college and audition for a professional company,” says Allen. “What are the pros and cons of each? Some students may decide to shift into something other than dance.” 

The programs ensure opportunities for students to take the stage as part of the ensemble or corps de ballet with the Northwest Florida Ballet Company, and annual auditions permit the students to graduate in difficulty level.  

“Students have to be invited back,” Allen explains, “because the program is based on dance ability, not academics. Instructors give frequent feedback on their technique or areas that need more practice.” 

Training extends through the summertime for many.  

“We help students find summer dance programs they might like to attend,” Allen says. “We have had kids dancing with the Orlando Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre. We share a lot about the programs they attended and find out what they liked or didn’t like.” 

Allen says he’s proud that many Pre-Professional Program alumni have since joined elite ballet companies, are teaching, or are successful in the world of dance.

“Being a dancer is an extraordinary life, but it is hard, and we want to support our students in whatever they choose to do.”  

Alumni Spotlight

Photo by Karolina Kuras

Courtney Shealy

Courtney Shealy attended Northwest Florida Ballet programs for nine years. She went on to receive scholarships to attend programs with the Boston Ballet, Next Generation Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and American Ballet Theatre. In 2014, she received third place at the Youth American Grand Prix semi-final for both senior classical and contemporary dance. Shealy joined the American Ballet Theatre Company in September 2015, completing an apprenticeship in 2016 before joining the company’s corps de ballet in 2017, which she continues to perform with today. 

Photo by Bjorn Bolinder

Sabrina Lobner

Since graduating from Northwest Florida Ballet’s programs, Sabrina Lobner has performed for renowned directors and choreographers across dance, opera, and theater companies as well as in film and television. This spring, Lobner looks forward to performing with Boston Lyric Opera as a principal dancer in the Rodgers and Hammerstein production of Carousel, directed by Anne Bogart and choreographed by Shura Baryshnikov.