TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - For the sixth consecutive year the American Ballet Theatre, one of the world’s premiere ballet companies, is holding classes at The University of Alabama. More than 150 of the finest dance students from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Bermuda and the United States are taking part in the ABT Summer Intensive from July 6-26.

The ABT holds the special three-week residential intensives in only five venues, with UA joining Detroit, Los Angeles, New York and the University of Texas. Representatives include junior high school, high school and college students and were selected in auditions this past spring. ABT members, guest artists and UA dance faculty members teach classes during the intensive.

In 1997, The University of Alabama was chosen by ABT for the first summer intensive to be held outside of New York or in partnership with a university. Through this partnership, promising young dancers can and have achieved the highest level of dance training with ABT’s renowned summer program and strong academic curriculum of dance studies.

“The most important thing about ABT is that it brings the finest teachers and professors in the world of dance to Alabama, and that raises the bar for the entire field of dance -- not just ballet,” said Edie Barnes, professor and director of the dance department in the College of Arts and Sciences. “We’re affiliated with a professional company, which brings visibility to UA that other universities don’t have. It brings ABT’s highest training standards to the state of Alabama for our students.”

The American Ballet Theatre is the nation’s premiere dance company. Founded in 1940, the company has been the home of many of the world’s greatest dancers, including Natalia Makarova, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Cynthia Gregory. ABT is known internationally for establishing the American identity for ballet through works choreographed by such artists as Agnes de Mille, George Balanchine and Twyla Tharp. Today it continues to be the destination of choice for the world’s most accomplished dancers.

As in past years, the three-week ABT intensive at UA will conclude with two public performances. The two performances will be held on Thursday, July 25, and Friday, July 26 at the Moody Music Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 (cash, check, Visa, MC or Discover) from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. the week of the performances in 115 Rowand Johnson Hall. Tickets also may be bought the day of the performance at the Moody Music ticket office.