From left are Cecelia Johnson, Emilee Shafer, Maya Swanson, Bryce Jache, Cate Walter and Lilly Jache. Submitted photo

Six Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet advanced level students were accepted into intensive ballet programs for the summer.

Cecilia Johnson, 13, and Maya Swanson, 14, both attended the School of American Ballet in New York City. The School of American Ballet auditioned more than 3,000 dancers across the country and accepted 200.

“Our students have been consistently selected every year for this highly competitive program and we are extremely proud of their hard work and dedication,” Alch said.

The School of American Ballet, located in New York City’s Lincoln Center, is a premier ballet academy in the United States, training more students who go on to become professional dancers than any other school. Its former students fill the ranks of the New York City Ballet and other leading U.S and international ballet companies.

Cecelia is the daughter of Bryce and Beth Johnson and is in eighth grade at Washington Middle School.

“I am so honored and excited to be attending the School of American Ballet summer intensive in New York City,” Johnson said. “It is a lifetime experience that I would not have without the excellent training I have received at Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet. Our classes work and push us a lot, but I enjoy them and look forward to going to ballet every day.”

Maya attends Eisenhower Middle School and is the daughter of Matt and Tanya Swanson. This was Maya’s third summer with the School of American Ballet.

“I have been fortunate to have great teachers who have helped me continue to improve my technique and given me the opportunity to be accepted to such an amazing summer program,” Swanson said. “I am excited to spend another summer dancing in New York City.”

Cate Walter, 15, daughter of Carla and Dr. Peter Walter, attends Maple Grove Junior-Senior High School. She was accepted into the Chautauqua Festival Dancers program at the Chautauqua Institution, under the direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. Approximately 25 students are selected for the program, which is designed for the older, more advanced student. While attending the eight-week program Walter had the opportunity to perform in two performances at the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater, which included solos and featured roles.

“Chautauqua Program is a great performance opportunity that CRYB has prepared me for with “Dance Noir,” “The Nutcracker,” and “Spring Gala. I’m so excited to work so closely with great teachers and be close to home,” Walter said.

Emilee Shafer, 15, a ninth grader from Warren Area Cyber School and granddaughter of Sally Poorman, attended two intensives, a five-week advanced summer intensive at BalletMet and a two-week professional program at The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory along with consideration for its year-round program. BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio, offers intimate class experience with high quality training in state-of-the-arts studios. The Nutmeg Conservatory provides a wider selection of summer training featuring classical ballet technique, pointe, partnering, male and female solo variations, modern dance, yoga and ballet theory.

“I am highly excited to spend my summer attending these two wonderful schools,” Shafer said. “I’m curious to learn new techniques as well as experience the knowledge and input of new teachers to help me progress in my dancing. CRYB has helped me understand the fundamentals of ballet and has prepared me to attend these two rigorous training programs.”

Siblings, Bryce and Lillian Jache, students of Warren Area High School and Beaty Warren Middle School, respectively, attended the Summer Intensive Program at the American Ballet Theater. Under the supervision of Kevin McKenzie, American Ballet Theater artistic director, and Kate Lydon, artistic director of summer intensives, the program offers quality teachers and master guest teachers with limited class sizes. Students participate in a minimum of four classes per day and take part in a comprehensive curriculum that includes exposure to theater artists, history and repertory.

“Before coming to CRYB, I never thought I would be accepted to any summer program,” Bryce Jache said. “Now that I am in my second year here, I am so excited to be accepted to one of the programs I dreamed to attend. I am so thankful for the teachers at CRYB for believing in me. I can’t wait to show them how much I have improved after the summer!”

“Last year I was able to see one of my favorite dancers, Misty Copeland, dance with ABT,” saisd Lillian Jache. “This year, thanks to the training I have gotten from CRYB, I will be taught by some of the same people who work with Misty! I’m so excited to have been accepted to ABT’s summer intensive and I’m immensely thankful to the wonderful teachers and staff at CRYB who are so supportive, and have taught me so much!”

The Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet is offering its own two-week intensive open to local and visiting students from Aug. 18-26. The intermediate/advance intensive will have classes in ballet, pointe, partnering, character and modern. Faculty includes guest teacher Ivaylo Alexiev, Associate Director of Greater Boston School of Classical Ballet, guest artist Brittany Bush, dancer with Jose Mateo Ballet Theater and Sukanya Burman, CRYB’s Modern dance faculty member.. Spots for the program are limited. For more information and registration visit www.cryb.net or call 664-9766.