Summer Intensive 2026

July 27- August 8

In our annual NDT Summer Intensive, 60 young dancers from all over the world take part in a professional training programme. Over the course of two intensive weeks, these (pre-)professionals, aged between 16 and 25, work alongside our dancers, rehearsal directors and choreographers. This gives them the opportunity to grow as dancers and further their personal development.

On this page, we’ll be keeping you updated over the coming weeks on what’s happening during the NDT Summer Intensive. Here, you can read stories from participants, get a glimpse of the programme and see how your contribution comes to life in the studio.

Made possible by you!

Thanks to your donation to the NDT Summer Intensive, you are helping young, promising dancers to take part in a programme that, for many, represents a significant step in their careers.

For some of these top talents, taking part is not a given. Not because of a lack of talent, motivation or ambition, but because the costs are simply too high. That is why, with your help, NDT has once again awarded €40,000 in full and partial scholarships this year. Your contribution helps young dancers to train intensively, develop artistically and gain valuable experience. They meet dancers, creators and NDT staff, thereby building their future.

We are very grateful for your support. Your commitment makes a direct difference to the participants of the NDT Summer Intensive and helps to nurture a new generation of contemporary dance talent.

Programme

The two-week NDT Summer Intensive is aimed at (pre-)professional dancers. They are introduced to various dance styles and ways of working, with the aim of creating as comprehensive a dance experience as possible. The classes build on the students’ technical foundation, as well as their improvisation skills. They apply what they learn directly in various parts of the programme, including NDT repertoire and the opportunity to create new work.

At the same time participants develop their skills in partnering, solo work, group work and composition. In addition to the dance programme, they take part in activities such as panel discussions and meet choreographers, NDT dancers and staff members. These experiences help participants deepen their understanding of dance while building meaningful connections. Many friendships and creative collaborations continue long after the Summer Intensive has ended.

Emmitt Cawley on Talent Development for dancers

We're off!

They’re ready to begin! Sixty talented young dancers from all over the world have embarked on two inspiring weeks of training, creative sessions, connection and exchange. They may still be finding their feet, but we know they’ll return home after the Summer Intensive full of confidence, fresh insights and unforgettable experiences. Below, three participants who received a full or partial scholarship share what they’re most looking forward to.

Expectations of scholarship recipients

Dancer Jhonata Teixeira looks forward to immersing in NDT

"My name is Jhonata, I am 23 years old and I come from Brazil. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to participate in the NDT Summer Intensive. Being selected for this program was very special for me and I am hoping to do the best of this opportunity.

"Without this support, participating in the Summer Intensive would not have been possible for me"

What excites me the most about this experience is the possibility of being immersed in the NDT environment, learning from the company’s artistic approach, exploring other ways of moving, and exchanging experiences with other dancers. I believe this will challenge me, inspire me, and help me grow both as an artist and as a person.

I am especially thankful for this scholarship because, without this support, participating in the Summer Intensive would not have been possible for me. This scholarship is allowing me to realize a dream and take an important step toward my future as a dancer. Thank you."

Dancer Sofia Santos is looking forward to the NDT repertoire

"The quality of the repertoire we will be performing and the artists who will be teaching it is something singular about this Intensive and undoubtedly one of the things I am most looking forward to. I also can't wait to meet all talented dancers who will be joining me and to learn from them throughout those two weeks. Whenever I enter a new environment, I feel incredibly inspired by the people around me, and that particularly excites me about this experience, as I know every dancer will be exceptional.

"Receiving this funding was an enormous relief"

It is understandable that training of this quality comes at a significant cost and is not always affordable for every dancer. Covering the full cost of this Intensive would have been a considerable financial burden for my family, so receiving this funding was an enormous relief. I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to take part in this Intensive, and this financial support was essential in making it possible."

Love Kotiya saw dance in a different light thanks to NDT

"My name is Love Kotiya, and I am from India. I started ballet at the age of 15 after first dancing street styles and acrobatics. I never expected ballet to become my path, but it opened a completely new world for me and changed my life.

"That dream is now possible"

When I first saw Nederlands Dans Theater perform in London, it felt like magic. I left the theatre feeling like I had discovered a new way of seeing dance. Since then, I have dreamed of being part of that environment and learning from the artists around me.

Thanks to your generosity, that dream is now possible. I am excited to challenge myself, grow both as an artist and as a person, and learn from the inspiring dancers, choreographers, and teachers. Thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to keep building the future I have worked so hard for."