History

The South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, was founded 39 years ago to provide strong Ballet and Contemporary Dance Intensive programs for the serious and pre-professional student.  Created and developed by Artistic and Executive Director, Susan E. Anderson, the SCSDC is dedicated to offering the highest quality of dance training and education.

In addition to training in classical ballet and contemporary dance, the summer program offers a diverse curriculum that includes daily ballet technique, pointe and variations, repertory, men’s class, partnering, jazz, character, and flamenco. 

In 2018, the Conservatory also established a separate Jazz Intensive program and has been attracting serious jazz students from all across the country.

The summer faculty has always featured nationally recognized dance professionals from the most relevant and prestigious companies including the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Bolshoi Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Polish National Theatre, Ballet Classico de Camara, Martha Graham Dance Company, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Royal Ballet of Flanders (Belgium), California Ballet Company, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Georgia Ballet, the Kirov Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, and Miami City Ballet to name a few.

Dancers who have attended the South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory have gone on to dance with many notable professionals and companies which include:

New York City Ballet
American Ballet Theatre
Miami City Ballet
San Francisco Ballet
Atlanta Ballet
Cincinnati Ballet

Scholarships awarded to SCSDC students to-date total more than $325,000. 

Programs

South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory attracts dancers from around the world to study and perform with some of the greatest teachers of our time. Columbia’s reputation for fine Southern hospitality, along with our unequaled caliber of instruction, makes the South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory a wonderful place for learning, growth and camaraderie. Now in our 39th year, we offer personal attention, state-of-the-art facilities, a professional atmosphere, and exciting performance opportunities. South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory prides itself on offering three professional intensives: one 3-week intensive for the serious ballet student, one 3-week intensive for the serious contemporary student, and a one-week intensive for the serious jazz student.

The Ballet Intensive is designed for students pursuing excellence in ballet technique and artistry. The curriculum may include ballet, pointe, variations, pas de deux, character, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre and repertory. Live or Video Audition is required to be considered.
The Contemporary Intensive is designed for students pursuing excellence in contemporary technique and artistry. The curriculum may include contemporary, ballet technique, jazz, musical theatre, improvisation, strength and conditioning, and repertory. Live or Video Audition is required to be considered.
The Jazz Intensive is designed for students pursuing excellence in jazz and commercial dance training. The curriculum includes jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, conditioning, musical theatre, and more. A Live or Video audition is required to be considered.

Registration

Admission to the South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory (Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz) is by audition. Dancers must audition by attending a scheduled audition on the Audition Tour or by submitting a Video Audition application available on our website.

Dancers are notified by email within two weeks of their audition on the status of their acceptance. Please note in acceptance letters the deadline schedule for all registrations. Registration secures a place in the SCSDC Intensive, and as space is limited for each dance genre, we encourage dancers to submit the registration form and payment as soon as possible. Space is filled on a first-come basis and those registering after the programs have filled will be put on a waitlist.


Scholarships

Merit Scholarships are awarded through the audition class or video application and are made at the discretion of the SCSDC audition committee. If a Merit Scholarship has been awarded it will be included with the dancer’s acceptance letter. The maximum scholarship award is 35%.

Financial Aid Scholarships can only be applied for after a student has been accepted for the Ballet or Contemporary Intensive and has registered for a program. The maximum scholarship award is 35%.

Note: There are instances where a Foundation or Special Scholarship Grant donation is made to SCSDC in a specific category. If a Scholarship becomes available we will notify applicants who qualify.

2025 Auditions

Charlotte School of Ballet
627 S. Sharon Amity Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28211
Sunday, January 26th – 1:30pm-3:30pm

Center Stage Dance
38 Rosscraggon Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803
Sunday, February 9th – 1:00pm-3:00pm

Dance Arts Greenville
255 Service Bay Road
Mauldin, SC 29662
Sunday, February 23rd — 11:00am-1:00pm

The Dance Center
26136 Carmel Rancho Blvd, Building B-6
Carmel, California 93923
Sunday, February 9th – 1:00pm-3:00pm

Georgia Ballet
1255 Field Parkway
Marietta, GA 30066
Sunday, February 2nd – 2:00pm-4:00pm

International Ballet Academy
2172 River Road
Greer, SC 29650
Saturday, January 12th – 1:00pm-3:00pm

Kimberton Dance Academy
3801 Schuylkill Rd., Suite #1
Spring City, PA 19475
Sunday, January 26th – 1:00pm-3:00pm

Noble Dance
7 Main St.
Kaliespell, MT 59901
Sunday, February 16th — 2:00pm-4:00pm

Palmetto City Ballet
494-A Wando Park Blvd.
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Sunday, February 2nd – 1:00pm-3:00pm

Raleigh School of Ballet
3921 Beryl Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27607
Sunday, January 19th – 2:00pm-4:00pm

Shuffles & Ballet II
1521 Merrill Dr.
Little Rock, AR 72211
Sunday, February 23rd – 1:00pm-3:00pm

Studio M
2625 Briggs St.
Missoula, MT
Sunday, January 19th — 11:00am-1:00pm

The Studio Savannah
5201 Waters Ave.
Savannah, GA. 31404
Saturday, February 1st – 12:00pm-2:00pm

Tallahassee Ballet
2910 Kerry Forest Parkway, Suite C1
Tallahassee, FL 32309
Saturday, January 11th – 10:30am-12:30pm

University of South Carolina
324 Sumter St.
Columbia, SC 29208
Saturday, Jan. 25th – 1:00pm-3:00pm
Sunday, Feb. 16th – 1:00pm-3:00pm

Testimonials