Kansas City Ballet Second Company
Developing Young Talent
The Second Company includes KCB II and the Trainee Program, both Professional Division products of Kansas City Ballet School.
The Trainee Program aims to nurture and develop the technical skills and artistry of young aspiring post-secondary dancers. This will ultimately prepare them for a professional dance career by bridging the gap between the student and KCB II.
Trainees participate in some company classes and have the opportunity to be considered for performances with Kansas City Ballet Company during the season. Trainees also perform with KCB II in their own educational and community outreach performances throughout the year.
Meet the 2026-2027 Trainees
Emma Ashton
Julia Bellantoni
Payton Boddy
Claire Bowers
Meagan Cameron
Johnny Castle
Maggie De Groote
Michelangelo Fante
Ella Fischer
Jordan Gourley
Madalyn Hesterlee
Addison Jankauskas
Reagan Kinney
Maya McDaniels
Joseph Moore
Catherine Payson
Isabelle Rookstool
Caroline Strasberg-Fern
Amelia Wood
Auditions
Students must be advanced level dancers in high school or post-high school. Ladies must have at least 4 years of intensive pointe training.
To be considered for the Trainee Program, a dancer should attend a company audition or attend the Kansas City Ballet 5-week Summer Intensive.
Tuition
September – May
| Full Year $3,000 + $1,000 Deposit |
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| Monthly $375 + $1,000 Deposit |
| Semester $1,500 + $1,000 Deposit |
- Includes all classes, rehearsals, all costumes and performance participation.
- Students must secure their own housing, food, transportation, dance attire and shoes.
Sample Class Schedule
| Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | |
| 9:15 – 10:45 am | Second Company Class | Company Class | Trainee Ballet Technique | Company Class | Trainee Ballet Technique |
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| 11:00 – 2:00 pm | Trainee Classes | Company Rehearsals | Trainee Classes | Company Rehearsals | Company Rehearsals |
| 2:00 – 3:00 pm | Break | Break | Break | Break | Break |
| 3:00 – 6:00 pm | Company Rehearsals | Company Rehearsals | Company Rehearsals | Company Rehearsals | Company Rehearsals |
The Trainee class schedule runs from Tuesday – Saturday from late August to early May. Trainee classes may include: Ballet Technique, Pointe, Modern, Jazz/Fosse, Ballet History, PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique), Pas de Deux, and Improvisation.
Trainees participate in some company classes and have the opportunity to be considered for performances with Kansas City Ballet Company during the season. They also perform with KCB II in Second Company educational and community outreach performances throughout the year.
Trainee and UMKC Conservatory Partnership
Your training counts toward your degree. Kansas City Ballet School has partnered with UMKC Conservatory to give Trainees a head start on higher education – without stepping away from the studio.
| Earn Up to 34 College Credits
Trainees can earn up to 34 dance credits toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at UMKC — simply by doing the work they’re already doing in the Trainee Program. Credits are earned at 17 per year over two years. |
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| A BFA in Four Years Total
After two years in the Trainee Program, dancers are invited to complete their BFA in just two additional years as full-time UMKC Conservatory students. Your training and your degree grow together — not one after the other. |
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Your training counts toward your degree. Kansas City Ballet School has partnered with UMKC Conservatory to give Trainees a head start on higher education – without stepping away from the studio.
| Campus Life & Student Benefits
As a UMKC student, Trainees have the option to live on campus and access university resources including health and wellness services, fitness and recreation, and the full network of the Conservatory community. |
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| Ready to Apply?
Trainees wishing to participate must apply to UMKC as a degree-seeking student by August 1. Connect with Academy staff or reach out to the UMKC Conservatory to get started. |
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Book The Second Company
Those interested in learning more about the Second Company and/or booking them for a performance, please contact KCBII@kcballet.org.