2025 Summer Program
Social & Environmental Justice Through Dance
June 15~25
with The Foundry & Ballare Carmel
Alex Ketley
THE FOUNDRY
Lillian Barbeito
BALLARE CARMEL
Javon Ja'Moon Jones
THE DANCING SPIRIT
3rd ANNUAL SUMMER PROGRAM
This program is for dancers who crave rigor, depth, and purpose. Alex Ketley’s Resilience, performed by The Foundry, is an uncompromising exploration of a man’s experience on death row—demanding intricate physicality and fearless storytelling. Balancing this, Ballare Carmel’s Resident Choreographer, Javon Ja’Moon Jones, leads a transformative creative process, weaving movement, ritual, and foraging for local medicinal plants into an exploration of embodied connection. For those who see dance as a powerful vehicle for change, this program offers a rare opportunity to push artistic boundaries, engage with urgent narratives, and refine your craft with intention. For those who see dance as a powerful vehicle for change, this program offers a rare opportunity to push boundaries, spark dialogue, and explore the profound intersections of movement, justice, and sustainability.
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A Transformative 10-Day Experience
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Train daily with world-class faculty in an intimate, mentorship~driven setting
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Engage with choreographer, director, and Stanford professor Alex Ketley, exploring Resilience—a work at the intersection of art and social justice
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Witness a powerful performance by The Foundry, renowned for its intricate, story-driven movement and deeply human narratives
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Collaborate in the creation and performance of a new work by Ballare Carmel’s resident choreographer, Javon Ja’Moon Jones
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Participate in thought-provoking discussions on justice, incarceration, land stewardship, and the healing power of movement
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Explore Big Sur, using nature as a source of artistic inspiration through immersive field research
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Benefit from a cell-phone-free environment, fostering deep connections and lifelong friendships
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Be part of a culture of recognition with an acknowledgment partner, ensuring every dancer is seen, heard, and valued
This is not your typical dance intensive—it’s an artistic evolution.
MORNING SESSIONS
with
ALEX KETLEY
After technique, immerse yourself in Alex Ketley’s creative process—an experience that will push your artistry, expand your perspective, and transform how you think and move as a dancer.
Embodied Storytelling
Each day begins with technique classes in ballet, Countertechnique, Hot Mess, and partnering, led by distinguished instructors. These sessions build toward an extraordinary opportunity—working closely with Guggenheim Fellow, Stanford Professor, and The Foundry Artistic Director, Alex Ketley.
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In an intimate setting, dancers will engage directly with Ketley, exploring excerpts from Resilience and his creative process. More than learning choreography, this is an immersion into the mind of a master artist, revealing how dance becomes a powerful tool for storytelling and social change.
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At the heart of Resilience is Bill, a man who has spent 33 years in near-total isolation on death row. Despite the system designed to break him, he embodies optimism, hope, and generosity—qualities that inspired Ketley’s An Approximation of Resilience. For dancers, this is a rare chance to step inside the creative world of a visionary choreographer, embody movement with profound meaning, and witness how art can illuminate injustice and inspire change.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
AFTERNOON SESSIONS
with
JAVON JA'MOON JONES
Step into the creative world of BALLARE CARMEL'S Resident Choreographer—an extraordinary artist blending movement, spirituality, and environmental consciousness in an intensely physical and transformative process that will push your limits and elevate your artistry.
Embodied Ritual
Join Javon Ja’Moon Jones, Ballare Carmel’s Resident Choreographer, for a creation process that is as visceral as it is transcendent. A bold and rising artist, Jones is celebrated for his fearless authenticity and distinctive creative voice. Drawing from a deep understanding of spirituality and environmental consciousness, he challenges dancers to move with purpose, intensity, and full-bodied commitment.
This journey extends beyond the studio—dancers will venture into Big Sur’s untamed landscape, engaging in hands-on foraging for medicinal plants to unearth the connection between body, spirit, and nature. Often referred to as CDF’s resident shaman, Jones weaves together ritual, storytelling, and intricate physicality in movement that is as demanding to execute as it is mesmerizing to witness.
For those drawn to raw, powerful physicality and a dance practice rooted in something greater than the self, this is a rare opportunity to push boundaries, explore ritual in motion, and move with profound intention.
Stewardship of the Land
Immerse yourself in a hands~on journey through off the grid living, wild edible plants, and the powerful connection between nature and the arts—culminating in an optional, invigorating ocean plunge.
Field Research; Stewardship of Land & Botanical Exploration
On Sunday, June 22nd, dancers will embark on a multisensory exploration of sustainability, movement, and the natural world. Working on a private farm dedicated to environmental preservation, you’ll gain hands-on experience in regenerative agriculture, engaging directly with the rhythms of the land—an opportunity to explore how ecological stewardship and artistry intertwine.
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Next, a guided botanical exploration will introduce dancers to wild, edible plants; revealing nature’s bounty and own healing properties; deepening your understanding of the symbiotic relationship between the body and the earth.
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To close the experience, an optional ocean plunge invites you to reset, recharge, and absorb the vitality of the day. For artists who see dance as more than just movement—who crave rigor, connection, and purpose—this is an opportunity to engage with the environment in a way that fuels creativity, sharpens awareness, and inspires a more profound artistic voice.
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A TRANSFORMATIVE
DANCE EXPERIENCE
This program pushes boundaries—physically, artistically, and intellectually—immersing dancers in transformative training, deep artistic exploration, and real~world connections that will forever shape how you move, think, and engage with the world.
Cultivating Strength, Awareness, and Connection
Engaging with Resilience challenges dancers to confront the realities of extreme isolation and systemic injustice, pushing them to see resilience as more than physical endurance—it is the human spirit’s ability to adapt, hope, and resist. Through movement, they will explore empathy, agency, and the power of storytelling, questioning how dance can amplify voices and illuminate urgent social issues.
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Land stewardship offers a contrasting yet equally vital lesson, revealing the impact of modern wastefulness and our disconnection from nature. Through hands-on land stewardship and medicinal plant foraging, dancers will experience sustainability as an act of artistry and reciprocity. Just as the body requires care, so does the earth—cultivating awareness, patience, and a deeper understanding of how movement, like nature, can be both a resource and a responsibility.
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UNIQUE
FESTIVAL~STYLE PROGRAM
Expanding your artistry by both taking the stage and witnessing dance as a force for storytelling and change.
Explore, Witness, Perform
Experience dance as a powerful force for storytelling and change—then step onto the stage to be part of it. Participants will begin with Resilience, an immersive exploration of dance as a vessel for strength and transformation. You will then witness The Foundry perform on June 20 or 21, gaining insight into a visionary choreographer’s work. Finally, on June 25, you will take the stage at Hidden Valley Music Seminars, performing in a newly created piece that reflects your own artistic journey. Through learning, observing, and performing, dancers will find new inspiration, deepen their craft, and embrace dance as both personal expression and collective impact.
ABOUT OUR RESIDENT COMPANY; BALLARE CARMEL
Ballare Carmel is the resident company of the Carmel Dance Festival. It was founded in 2021 by Artistic Director Lillian Barbeito
(a graduate of The Juilliard School, Co~Founder & former Co~Artistic Director of BODYTRAFFIC) to tell Monterey County stories, myths, and bold feats, through contemporary dance. The project~based ensemble's repertoire by established and emerging choreographers includes works by Natasha Adorlee, Jennifer Archibald, James Gregg, Noelle Kayser, Alex Ketley, Javon Ja'Moon Jones, Megan Rhodes, Ihsan Rustem, and Skye Schmidt. Lillian will direct the Summer Program performance. @ballarecarmel​
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SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE:
7:30-8:30 Breakfast
9-10:30 Technique
10:30-12:30 Resilence with Alex Ketley
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-4:00 Creation with Javon Ja'moon Jones
4:00-5:30 Seminar and/or additional rehearsal
5:30-6:30 Dinner
6:30-8:00 Evening Activities
ELIGIBILITY
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16+ (dancers aged 16 & 17 must have a legal guardian sign a waiver)
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Excellent technique in any dance genre of dance
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Partnering experience and/or desire and commitment to enhance partnering skills
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Improvisation experience and/or desire and commitment to enhance improvisation skills
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Performance experience and/or desire and commitment to enhance performance skills
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Desire to adapt, create, connect, and contribute
APPLICATION PROCESS
Step One: Request a Goggle Form Application Lillian@carmeldancefestival.org​​
Step Two: Fill out and submit the application form. You will need the following:
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Link to Video Statement of Interest (talk to camera about yourself and why you are interested in participating in Carmel Dance Festival's Summer Program)
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Links to Dance Video(s)​
Step Three: Email the following materials to Lillian@carmeldancefestival.org.​
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Headshot (does not need to be a professional image)
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Full body shot (does not need to be a professional image and can be in any stance/position)
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Resume with contact information
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Short Biography (highlights from training and performance experience)
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Include video links to statement and videos (again)
VIDEO GUIDELINES
Please include the following in your dance video(s):
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90 seconds of unedited improvisation/one take
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2 + minutes of performance or rehearsal footage of choreographed material (any setting acceptable)
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Please upload your Video Statement of Interest and Application Videos to Dropbox, Vimeo, or Youtube. Kindly provide links and include passwords if needed. Videos that need to be downloaded will NOT be considered. IMPORTANT: include your video link in both the Google form and your introduction email.
DEADLINE
Participants will be accepted on a rolling basis until the program reaches capacity. Once applications are closed, we will notify applicants via our website. Priority will be given to applications received on or before Sunday, April 20th, 2025.
COST
This 10~day festival style program is $1,000.
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FINANCIAL AID
Partial scholarships are available for tuition. Once accepted, applicants may submit the following materials to Lillian@carmeldancefestival.org by May ​4, 2025, 5:00 PM PT:
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Personal statement (written or video) outlining financial need, qualifications, and program impact.
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Two letters of recommendation.
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Three additional references (name, relationship, email, and phone number).
2024 Summer Program
"The schedule is packed in the most brilliant way. Overloading our minds with valuable information
while teaching our bodies the reality of a professional’s day."
~ Avery Hall, Ballet Junior de Genève
"I’m leaving Carmel Dance Festival overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you Lillian, Joseph, Kelly, and Ja’Moon for your guidance this week and for so much valuable information I can’t wait to use in my dance career but also throughout life."
~ Alyse Kazimierczuk, Western Michigan University
2023 Summer Program
"An eye~opening and expansive experience."
~ Sage Melton, SUNY Purchase
"I’ve never had the opportunity to build such genuine and close connections to my peers in a setting like this, super special."
~ Kayleigh Roach, Cornish College of the Arts
"I gained so much more than I ever expected from this program. Being here reminded how deep my love is for dance."
~ Piper Northburg, Arizona State University and Ballare Carmel Apprentice
LOCATION
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Nestled in the rolling hills of Carmel Valley, California, our Summer Program takes place on the ancestral land of the Rumsen people—one of eight groups of the Ohlone, the Indigenous stewards of this region.
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Surrounded by vineyards, rugged hiking trails, and the natural beauty of the valley, this peaceful setting provides an inspiring retreat for artists. Just a short, breathtaking drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur, it offers the perfect balance of seclusion and creative energy.
HIDDEN VALLEY MUSIC SEMINARS
The eight-acre campus is comprised of a 300~seat theatre, a dance studio, music rehearsal gazebos, a classroom, a dining/recreation hall, and lodging rooms. Large outdoor decks are adjacent to the dance studio and the theatre. All facilities are on the ground floor and easily accessible. Hidden Valley Music Seminars was born out of a deep concern for the development of extraordinarily talented young artists. Programs in the fields of music, theatre, opera and dance have occupied most of the time and energy of the staff and faculty since its inception in 1963. ​ The constant thread throughout Hidden Valley's existence has been an uncompromising interest in the careful selection of students and faculty to represent the highest quality of each possible.
The magic of this Summer Program takes place inside and OUTSIDE of the dance studio and theater. To help forge lifelong bonds and foster enriching conversations over meals, staying and dining on campus is mandatory for out~of~town participants. Locals can participate as Day~Use~Only; receive 3 meals a day and use the campus for approximately 1/2 the cost. ​
ABOUT THE ACCOMMODATIONS:
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WADDELL CENTER has 17 simple, clean and cheery, non-smoking rooms. Each room has two twin beds, a dresser, and bathroom with a shower, toilet, and sink. All rooms exit directly to a deck or walk via sliding glass doors, which can be locked from the inside. Each room has an individually controlled heater, bed linens and towels.
LUBLOW LODGE is a beautiful NEW residential center, adding six spacious double~occupancy rooms with a queen bed, a twin bed, air conditioning, and a bathroom with shower, toilet, and sink.
​Check in will be on Sunday, June 15th between 2:00~4:00 pm and check out will be on Thursday, June 26th by 10:00 am.
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ROOM & BOARD FEES (accommodations, 3 meals per day, and facilities use):
Pricing listed below includes 7.25% CA sales tax and 3.49% processing fee.
Waddell Center (old building):
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Double Room plus 3 meals per day ~ $1,300 ($118.18 per night)
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Single Room plus 3 meals per day ~ $1,500 ($136.36 per night)
Lubow Lodge (new building):
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Double Room plus 3 meals per day ~ $1,600 ($145.45 per night)
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Single Room plus 3 meals per day ~ $1,800 ($163.63 per night)
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DAY~USE ONLY (no accommodations/locals only)
One of the reasons CDF' Summer Program is so impactful is the rich learning and sharing experiences that extend beyond the studio, particularly during meals. To foster strong bonds and a sense of community, it is mandatory for all participants to dine together. For individuals with specific dietary restrictions, we understand the need to bring their own meals, but they are still required to pay the Day Use Only/Commuter Fee ($650) which covers the cost of three meals a day along with a facilities fee. This ensures that everyone can fully participate in the program's communal aspects and create lasting connections.
MORE INFORMATION & TO RESERVE YOUR ROOM
Email: Lillian@CarmelDanceFestival.org
Call: (310) 923-2766​​
Lillian Barbeito
Summer Program Director
LILLIAN BARBEITO brings more than 35 years of dance experience as an artist, producer, director, and educator to her role as Artistic Director of Ballare Carmel. During the course of her career, she has been a performer with contemporary dance companies, the co-founder of a world-renowned non-profit organization, the founder of an innovative corporation, and an internationally recognized, certified teacher of Countertechnique.
Barbeito grew up in the desert under the blues skies of Santa Fe, New Mexico where she trained with the Santa Fe Dance Foundation and worked with The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Southwest Ballet, and the Santa Fe Opera. She earned her BFA from The Juilliard School where she studied on a 4 year, full-tuition scholarship awarded by Tomorrow’s Leaders of America for her essay about the world dancing together in harmony. Barbeito had an extensive performance career that took her to Europe, New York, and then finally to Los Angeles, where she founded BODYTRAFFIC with Tina Berkett. Under her co-direction, the ensemble received critical acclaim and toured to the most prestigious dance venues across the globe. She has choreographed over 50 works for high schools, universities, competitions, regional ballet companies, and professional modern dance companies throughout the US and Canada. During the pandemic, Barbeito launched HAVEN Global Sanctuary for Dance, a platform dedicated to shaping an equitable, diverse, and inclusive future of dance.
Barbeito is married to filmmaker and environmentalist Grant Barbeito. They relocated their two sons, Oliver who is 13, and Forest who is 8, two bearded dragons, and an Irish doodle named Harvey to Carmel Valley to launch the Carmel Dance Festival and Ballare Carmel.
Alex Ketley
Guest Artist & Mentor
ALEX KETLEY (Filmmaker, Choreographer, Stanford Professor, & Guggenheim Fellow)
is an independent choreographer, filmmaker, and Director of The Foundry. Formally a classical dancer with the San Francisco Ballet, he left the company to create The Foundry as a platform to explore his interests in alternative methods of devising performance. The company has allowed Ketley the freedom to pursue projects that would be difficult to realize within his commissioning career. A few examples of these are; Syntax, an hour-long duet systemically using the mechanics of language as an organizing mechanism, Lost Line researched how the application of environment effects the generation of movement and studied in direct response to California’s diverse physical landscapes, Please Love Me jettisoned the structure of performing in a theater context and was developed with a curiosity about how people genuinely connect and experience artwork, and the No Hero Trilogy which was a multi-year project that explored what dance and performance mean to the lives of people living throughout rural America.
For his independent work as a choreographer, he has been commissioned extensively throughout the United States and has received acknowledgment from the Hubbard Street National Choreographic Competition, the International Choreographic Competition of the Festival des Arts de Saint-Saveaur, the Choo-San Goh Award, the Princess Grace Award for Choreography, four Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography Residencies, the Gerbode-Hewlett Choreographer Award, the Eben Demarest Award, the National Choreographic Initiative Residency, a Kenneth Rainin Foundation New and Experimental Works Grant, three CHIME Fellowships, the Artistry Award from the Superfest International Disability Film Festival, and his work was featured on national television through an invitation from the show So You Think You Can Dance. His pieces and collaborations have also been awarded Isadora Duncan Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the categories of; Ensemble, Choreography, as well as Full Company, and nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Visual Design.
As an educator, he has taught throughout the world and is currently a Lecturer at Stanford University’s Theater and Performance Studies Department and was the founding Resident Choreographer at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance for 14 years until its closure in 2018.
In 2020 he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, one of the most prestigious honors in the United States recognizing individuals "who have demonstrated exceptional creative ability in the arts.”
Javon Ja'Moon Jones
Ballare Carmel's
Resident Choreographer
Performance artist Javon “Ja’Moon” Jones discovered his love for movement in his hometown of Detroit, MI. Following his graduation from Cass Technical High School, during which he was the inaugural recipient of the Maxmara Young Visionary Award and a gold medalist in the YoungArts dance competition. After training at The Juilliard School, Ja’Moon performed with Kyle Abraham’s New York-based A.I.M. Currently, he is a cast member of Sleep No More NYC and developing his own sacred illustrations as an independent performance artist. Ja’Moon’s work has been showcased in various locations, including Santa Fe, NM; New York, NY; Durango, CO; Colorado Springs, CO; San Jose, CA; Carmel, CA; Glendale, CA; and Los Angeles, CA, through a diverse range of performances and residencies. He is thrilled to be named Ballare Carmel’s first resident choreographer.
Exciting Internship Opportunities
Take your artistry beyond the stage with our behind-the-scenes internships! Work alongside producers, gain insider access to choreographers and artistic directors, and forge invaluable industry connections. These hands-on roles provide real-world experience to elevate your resume and portfolio. While the internships are unpaid and do not include transportation, meals, or housing, the professional growth and networking opportunities are unparalleled. Plus, selected interns receive tuition-free participation in the program—a $1,000 value. Explore our available internships below, and reach out with any questions or to express interest in a specific role!
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SPRING MEDIA INTERN (Remote: March 15 – June 14)
Step into the world of dynamic content creation as our Spring Media Intern! You'll play a vital role in shaping our digital presence—creating engaging Instagram reels and Facebook posts that capture the essence of our programs. This internship is perfect for someone passionate about visual storytelling and eager to refine their skills in a professional, creative environment.
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SUMMER MEDIA INTERN (In-Person: June 15 – 26 | Remote: June 27 – 30)
Be at the heart of our 3rd Annual Summer Program as our Summer Media Intern! Capture the energy of our dancers through daily photo and video documentation, craft compelling social media content, and produce a recap videofeaturing exclusive interviews with participants and guest artists. Ideal candidates have strong photography and video editing skills, with a keen eye for storytelling through visual media. If you love filmmaking—whether it’s directing, editing, or cinematography—this is your stage.
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PRODUCTION INTERN (Remote: June 1 – 14 | In-Person: June 15 – 27)
Become an essential part of our team as a Production Intern, ensuring a seamless experience for dancers and guest artists. Your role includes assisting with performance logistics, setting up sound, maintaining studio spaces, and transporting guest artists (a reliable vehicle is required). This hands-on internship immerses you in the inner workings of a professional dance program, sharpening your organizational and technical skills in a fast-paced environment.
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COSTUME INTERN (Remote: June 1 – 14 | In-Person: June 15 – 27)
Collaborate with visionary choreographers as our Costume Design Intern, playing a key role in bringing their creative visions to life. From initial designs to final fittings, you'll help ensure every piece is performance-ready for our 2025 Fellowship Program. This role is ideal for those passionate about the intersection of fashion and performance, offering hands-on experience in professional costume design and management.
Interested? Email Lillian@carmeldancefestival.org to apply or learn more!