Warm, welcoming, energetic, and enriching — these words capture the spirit of our 2025 retreat. Over six unforgettable days, we journeyed from being strangers to becoming a community. Representing more than twenty countries, our group — nurses, doctors, professors, engineers, scientists, artists, and students — came together through a shared love of dance. With open minds and open hearts, we experienced a rare and intimate glimpse into the lineage of American ballet and its visionary founder, George Balanchine.
Reception
Day one began with a warm and lively meet-and-greet reception. We welcomed participants and our guest teachers, Dena Abergel and Elizabeth Walker, both alumni of the School of American Ballet and former dancers with the New York City Ballet. They introduced us to the fascinating history of George Balanchine and the unique American style of ballet he created — a style that continues to inspire dancers around the world.
Daily Retreat Moments
Each day began with enthusiasm and curiosity as students immersed themselves in classes, workshops, and rehearsals. From morning to evening, the energy in the studio was alive with focus and joy. We ended each day together — taking time to breathe, stretch, and release tension through gentle myofascial work, reflecting on what we had learned and how we had grown.
Bridge Ballet
Our final day together was spent in a time-honored Ballet Gothenburg tradition — Bridge Ballet. We gathered at our local walking bridge for an outdoor ballet class, warming up for our retreat performance under the open sky. It was pure joy to witness the collective movement of our community — dancers from all over the world moving as one — as passersby paused to watch, take photos, and even join in.
Retreat Performance
It was incredible how quickly and seamlessly our performance came together! The dancers glowed with confidence as they took the stage, bringing to life everything they had learned throughout the week. Their energy, focus, and joy was evident in every step — a beautiful reflection of the community we built and the artistry we collectively shared.
What’s Next?
We cannot thank enough each participant, teacher, and every person behind the scenes who helped make our very first retreat such a resounding success. A heartfelt thank-you also goes to Balettakademien in Gothenburg for the generous use of their beautiful, state-of-the-art studios — the perfect home for our week of learning and connection.
Looking ahead, we’re already in full planning mode for next year’s retreat! Dena and Elizabeth will return and we are thrilled to announce the addition of another New York City Ballet and School of American Ballet alumnus (to be announced) to our roster. We’ll also be expanding our offerings to include three class levels and introducing a pas de deux workshop, giving dancers even more opportunities to learn, grow, and connect through movement.
Until our next plié <3
