SUMMER MASTERCLASSES 2022

We are constantly monitoring the situation in the world and at the moment we are enrolling participants and planning to hold the masterclasses according to the schedule.

As in 2020 and 2021 we managed to hold the masterclasses with the participation of foreign teachers and students, we think positively and hope that we are able to hold the masterclasses this summer again despite the pandemic and restrictions.

In 2020 and 2021 we had several participants from Russia and Japan. Their coming was made possible due to our request to the Police and Border Guard Department of Estonia who issued an entry permit for them as an exception. Besides, we had participants from Latvia and Belgium who didn't need special entry permits at that time.

At the present moment entering Estonia with the purpose of studies is allowed for citizens and residents of any country. Please contact us to clarify the details of your situation!

Yes, we can meet participants in airport, harbour or bus station and help them with the transfer to the dormitory (or hotel). The tickets for the public transport are bought immediately at the station or airport.
Therefore, there will be a person from our side, who will stay with the participants at the hostel during all master-classes. We will make sure that everything is okay and help them with any issues.

"About the every-day organisation of the course.
From our experience, we can say that usually participants get up at 7:00-7:30 am and at 8:00-8:15 we all start heading to the Tallinn Ballet School. The first days we go all together - coordinator for our side is helping them and showing the way, but usually on the following days participants start to be more independent and go to the school on their own. However, coordinator is ready to accompany them everyday if needed.

The ballet school is located in about 40 min distance from the dormitory where participants stay: we use public transport. And since our main venues are located in the city centre it is secure for them to travel alone there and back. We will explain everything to them at the very first day, show them around and they will get a kit with the information about the locations and transport they can use. There are at least 2 supermarkets near the dormitory, so participants will be able to buy food and all necessary things and food they need before and after the classes.

School opens at 8:30 am and participants will be busy there all day (until 6 or 7 pm). We also organise lunches during the class days (advance booking and extra fee - 7 eur per meal). After participants continue their classes at the school.

On the first day after the classes coordinator is helping participants with the transfer to the dormitory: showing the way and explaining how to get to the shops etc. Once a coordinator is sure that participants know the way back home, on the following days we let them walk in the Old Town or visit Shopping Centres after the classes. We can also provide the participants in the dormitory with the board games so they will not be bored, but usually after the planned classes we do not force participants to stay at hostel or take part in the activities they are not interested in, they are more or less free to walk in the city (we give out the maps, contact information etc) or rest in the rooms. Moreover, we are always open to their ideas and ready to support them. So if they want to go one day to the Tallinn Zoo, for example, we can try organise that trip. "

Yes, we can confirm that we will do our best to make it possible. If our participants are coming to Tallinn together and would like to live together, we always try to arrange that opprtunity. The hostels we choose usually have bedrooms for 2 or 3 people. So far it was not a problem to arrange that.

General costs consist of three parts: your flight to Tallinn and back home + tuition fee + related expenses:

Related expenses for 3 weeks (see the exact number of days and nights in this year's program):

Accommodation in the dormitory: 12,5 eur*23 night = 287,50 eur
Lunches: from 7 eur*19 days = from 133 eur
Board (breakfasts, dinners and day off lunches) in their own: from 10 eur per day* 25 days = 250 eur
Transport card (tram, bus, trolleybus): month fee 23 eur + deposit 2 eur
Taxi on arrival and departure days: 2*10 eur = 20 eur
Joint programme: from 20 eur
Pocket money: from 30 eur

Total: additional costs are from ~760 eur.

This means that if one aged 15-17 comes for three weeks he or she can spend around 2000-2300 eur but tak into account that tuition fee and air tickets are cheaper when booked in advance.

The participant can return the paid cost minus the non-refundable registration fee and bank commission.
If notified 31 days or more before the first day of the general programme - 100% refund.
If notified 15-30 days before the first day of the general programme - 70% refund.
If notified 8-14 days before the first day of the general programme - 50% refund.
If notified 1-7 days before the first day of the general programme - 20% refund.
Upon notification on the first day of programme and later, the paid cost will not be refunded.
See more in the Rules of Participation

Yes there absolutely are. If you have an ISIC student card, or other documentation in English that proves your student status. it allows you to get discounts on many services and goods in Tallinn (for example, public transport, lunch in a cafe and etc.)

In our experience, none of the hostel residents had experienced any difficulties.
Tallinn is a small city and is a relatively safe place in Europe. To feel more confident, we advise you to make friends with other participants in the summer master classes. Many of them are locals. Also, in case of questions, any requests or problems, you can contact the coordinator or volunteers of the master classes. All necessary contact details, incl. telephone numbers and important addresses will be given to all participants, we advise you to have this information with you at all times.

If possible, the best option would still be to arrive prior to the morning of the first day of classes, even if your arrival will take place late the night before. If this is no way possible, then come as soon as you can and let us know the details in advance. We are ready to meet you whenever you arrive.

You can arrive at any time, we can meet you at the airport if needed even if the arrival time is late at night. Anything can happen with transfer flights, but don't worry about your arrival time in Tallinn. We track the arrival time of your flight, even if there is a long delay, we will still meet you. For you to be less worried, we can exchange contacts in any of the messengers, and be in touch.

On the first day of the masterclasses, the coordinator accompanies the children to ballet school and back. Further, on the following days, participants can choose their own ways of getting to the school: either with a coordinator, or on their own, if they remember the road. This is decided by prior agreement.

Typically, participants return to the dorm after class between 18: 00-20: 00. It should noted that in July and August in Tallinn it is light outside until about 21: 30-22: 00. The last week of classes stands apart - it will be devoted to rehearsals, preparation for the concert, trying on costumes, most likely, in the last few days before concerts, the participants will stay at the ballet school until late hours, in which case the coordinators will organize a snack and accompany the children to the dorm themselves or call a taxi.

We can meet the participants in the airport, harbour or bus station and are helping them with the transfer to the dormitory (or hotel). The tickets for the public transport are bought immediately at the station or airport.
Therefore, there will be a person from our side who will stay with the participants at the hostel during all master-classes. I will make sure that everything is okay and help them with any issues.

We do not require a parent or guardian to accompany the child to Tallinn if the parent or guardian believes that the child is able to independently travel to Tallinn and then back. One has only to clarify the rules for the departure of minors from your country and the rules of the transport company that organizes the flight to Tallinn, and also inform us of the arrival details so that we can meet the participant upon arrival.

Yes, there are contemporary classes are planned to be part of the masterclasses. The final schedule will be available in May-June, but in the afternoon we always have contemporary classes, where performance numbers learned in class also become a part of the concert program.

Currently, there is no compulsory selection process. All participants are required to send a video and photo in advance as part of their registration form in order to pre-assess the level and properly distribute them into groups.

If you are in a pre-school group, you can be admitted by not attaching a video to your registration form.However, in to be a part of other groups, the video is required.

The results of the group distributions will be sent to the participants in late April or early May, when the selection pannel of teachers will determine the average level of each group and distribute the participants. Groups will be formed by age and level of training. The wishes of the participants can also be taken into account, and in the first days of the class, the participant can be transferred to another group based on his/her level of preparation (taking into account the cost adjustment)

The approximate age groups are the following: pre-professional 11-14 years, the professional 15-18 years old. Along with the age, the participant's abilities are also taken into account. If you are older or younger than the indicated ages, your participation may be considered based on your background and professional skills.

About the problems with health: we have had some cases when participants have fallen ill. We usually bring them to see the doctor and they prefer to stay at the dormitory the next day. Usually it is me (Anastasia) who is accompanying them to the hospital and back, I also keep them under control the following days and notify teachers about that situation. They are allowed to watch the classes or do as much as they can. I hope that Vendula will be fine and will not get a flu, but we are ready for any situation that can happen. We will have a first aid kit in the dormitory and at the ballet school. I also would ask you to make sure that Vendula has and takes with her European Insurance Card. More information: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559

Yes, upon request, we prepare and send an invitation electronically in English. It should be printed out and presented at passport control at the airport at the request of the border guard.

It depends on the specific situation, it is difficult to predict, but in 2020 and 2021 we had the following experience: some participants with our help sent a request to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, attaching our invitation. In result, they were given special permission to enter Estonia. However, this did not relieve them from the requrenment of a mandatory 14 day self-isolation upon entry to the country.

We don't promise a stage performance only to those who come only for one week, as it's a too short period. But if Rinsen Iwakami comes for 2 weeks (or 10 days, as an exception), she will be invited for a stage performance.

We will send payment information after receiving the application.

There are two ways to pay for the participation: either by international bank transfer (you can use the Transferwise system), or with credit/debit card and Paypal account.

If you need an specific bank account number to make the transfer, please let us know. Also note that any possible additional bank and other fees associated with the transfer are paid by the participant.You can make payment using the following details:
Beneficiary name: DX ART MTU
Beneficiary's bank: SWEDBANK AS
IBAN: EE212200221056299055
SWIFT / BIC: HABAEE2X
In the column for the purpose of payment, it is necessary to indicate the name and surname of the participant, as well as the word "TIBM20 __" (year of the masterclasses).

After paying the registration fee, we will inform you when the amount has been received, as well as inform to which group you have been assigned based on the results of the video selection. Then, by the end of April, you will need to pay the remaining amount.

Usually preliminary information about the teachers becomes available in spring, however the final confirmation of the list of teachers happens at the end of May. We send more detailed information to registered participants via email.

In our materials, we indicate the average living costs in Tallinn, including food, which start from approcimately 20 euros / day. Lunches on class days can be ordered from us (one lunch costs about 7 euros per person), and as for breakfasts and dinners, as well as lunches on weekends, participants from other countries / cities prepare their own food by buying groceries in a supermarket nearby the hostel. Another option is to order takeaway food or go to a cafe / restaurant.

Accommodation in a hostel is in two-room blocks with a kitchen and a bathroom, in a room for two people. The hostel provides bed linens (one pillow and one blanket per person), one large towel; the kitchen is well equipped (fridge, kettle, microwave oven, stove, dishes for 4 people), there is also a TV and free WiFi. If the child may need something specific, you can bring it with you. Next to the hostel there is an area with a washing machine and a dryer, which can be used for a small fee.

Every year the situation is different, however in our experience, every year we had minor participants, and they almost always lived in a hostel.

Yes it is possible. The selection pannel makes a decision of group distributions based on the submitted videos. The final decision can also be changed in the first days of classes, based on the student's performance and the overall group dynamic. In this case, not only age is taken into account, but also the level - both of each participant individually and the general one, so that the groups are balanced.

The Tallinn Ballet School is the co-organizer of the summer master classes, which take place in its premises. Some of the teachers at the master classes are full-time teachers of the TallinnBallet School. One of the teachers, artistic director of the master classes, is the director of the Tallinn Ballet School, Kaye Kirb. If participants are interested in studying at a ballet school, they can speak directly with the principal about their intention to enroll, or contact the coordinators to be introduced to the principal. At the same time, the right to enroll in the Tallen Ballet School, as well as the right to provide certain conditions of admission, remains with the board of the school, which includes the director.

From 2017 to 2021, we had participants from Estonia, Russia, Japan, Finland, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Portugal, Belgium, Turkey, Korea, Poland, Greece, USA.

The master classes use 3 languages - Estonian, English and Russian. The organizers and most of the teaching stuff are fluent in all three languages. However, there are also such teachers - as a rule, invited from other countries, who speak only Russian or only English. If the participant does not speak the language in which the teacher is conducting the lesson, it may be necessary to obtain the information by observing other students, although the terms of classical ballet come from French and sound the same in different languages.If the teacher has any specific comments for the participant who does not speak the same language, our assistants will help with translation after the lesson. The coordinators are fluent in all three languages, so you can contact them if you have any questions.
If necessary, we can provide an interpreter for an additional fee.