August 10–14, 2026
Ages 8-18+
Groove In The Grove Summer Intensive is an immersive, professional-level training program designed for dancers serious about growth, artistry, and technique. Our program combines focused Ballet and Contemporary classes, professional guest artists, and a public performance at the end of the week.
This is not a recreational camp—this is professional training.
We’re bringing WORLD-CLASS artists and teachers RIGHT TO YOUR COMMUNITY! An incredible opportunity to experience professional training without missing out on summer in Brights Grove.
Two Levels of Training
Junior Intensive (ages 8-11) Register Here
- Half-day program (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Focus on Ballet and Contemporary Technique
- Technique driven classes with emphasis on artistic development
- Professional guest faculty from across North America
- Culminates in a public performance
Senior Intensive (Ages 12 – 18+) Register Here
- Full-day program (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
- Intensive Ballet and Contemporary training
- Technique driven classes with advanced artistic development
- Professional guest faculty from across North America
- Culminates in a public performance
Why choose Groove in the Grove?
- Professional level instruction from industry professionals
- Technique driven Ballet and Contemporary curriculum
- Performance experience to showcase growth
- Age-appropriate, focused, and challenging training
- Small class sizes to maintain quality and attention
This intensive is ideal for dancers ready to train seriously, be challenged, and grow in a professional environment.
Tuition & Registration
Junior Intensive (Ages 8 – 11)
- GLDA Student Tuition: $228 (Until March 1)
- Early Bird Tuition: $270 (March 1 – April 1)
- Regular Tuition: $312 (After April 1)
Senior Intensive (Ages 12+)
- GLDA Student Tuition: $560 (Until March 1)
- Early Bird Tuition: $598 (March 1 – April 1)
- Regular Tuition: $650 (After April 1)
Spots are limited to ensure quality training and attention for every dancer. Early registration is highly recommended.
Important Dates
- Early Bird & GLDA Registration Opens: February 15
- Early Bird Pricing Start and End: March 1 – April 1
- Regular Tuition Begins: April 1
- Intensive Dates: August 10-14, 2026
Public Performance
All dancers will participate in a public performance at the end of the week, providing an opportunity to showcase their growth, artistry, and training. Parents and friends are invited to celebrate the dancers accomplishments on stage!
Meet our incredible guest faculty:
Camille Kellems
Robert Fulton
Chivas Merchant Buckman
Leah Totten
***Bios Coming Soon***
Secure your spot now!
Junior Intensive
Senior Intensive
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Get to know our guest artists
Robert Fulton
Robert’s dance journey began in Pennsylvania at Allegheny Ballet Company under Connor Kilian Weigand. He continued his training at the Houston Ballet Professional Division before joining Ballet West as a trainee. Now a dancer with Nevada Ballet Theatre, Robert has performed lead roles in works by George Balanchine, Ben Stevenson, Nicolo Fonte, Septime Webre, Trey Mcintyre, and more. His favorites have been Scarecrow in Septime Webre’s Wizard of Oz & Siegfried in Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake.
In addition to his dance career, Robert is pursuing a Business Major at Penn State World Campus. Drawing on his education and passion for dance, he founded BalletScout, a comprehensive database for dancers seeking auditions, training programs, and jobs. His aim is to streamline information and applications, providing a centralized network for the dance community.
Camille Kellems
Camille Kellems is currently a Company Artist with Nevada Ballet Theatre under direction of Roy Kaiser. She graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance and an Outside Field in Arts Management in May 2019, working closely with Kyra Nichols, Carla Körbes, Michael Vernon and Sarah Wroth. She was born and raised in Newport Beach, California, and primarily trained at the Maple Conservatory of Dance. Some career highlights have been performing the Second Violin in George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, as well as the principal woman in Jerome Robbins’s Spring.
Leah Totten
Leah Totten is a choreographer, educator, creative director, and producer with over sixteen years of experience across live performance, production, and artist development.
She is the Founder and Artistic Director of MOVMNT Collective, a Toronto-based mentorship and performance company advancing emerging professional dancers and choreographers through artistic creation and career development. Over the years, she has conceived and produced eleven full-length productions, creating immersive, concept-driven stage works that bridge commercial vocabulary and theatrical storytelling.
Leah served as Resident Choreographer and Co-Creative Director for Mini Pop Kids for 5 years, where she choreographed three North American concert tours, performances at Amazon headquarters, and numerous music videos amassing millions of views. She has also choreographed for Pharrell Williams’ Untitled project and performed with or choreographed for various artists including Kiesza. In addition to her stage and screen work, she has led creative direction for major corporate and philanthropic events, including Canada’s largest gala in support of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada.
Leah served as a Commercial Dance Professor at Centennial College for seven years and holds a postgraduate certificate in Arts Management. She has taught hundreds of dancers across North America and Europe, experience that informs her work as a mentor and career strategist for artists internationally.
She encourages her students to move with purpose, cultivate passion behind their craft, and develop the confidence to pave their own path within the industry.
Chivas Merchant-Buckman
Chivas Merchant-Buckman, a native from Washington, DC., graduated from Duke Ellington School of the Arts as a dance major. He then received his BFA in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College where he was able to work with choreographers such as Robert Battle, Jiri Kylian, Chris D’ Ambroise, Jose Limon, Sean Curran, and Donald Byrd.
After graduation and in his professional career, Chivas danced with Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Dallas Black Dance Theatre in Dallas, TX. He moved back to New York City and became a member of one of the most innovative choreographers of our time, which was Elisa Monte Dance. Also while living in NYC, he was able to work with many choreographers and performed in Petrouchka, in The New York Musical Festival.
He decided to make a bold move and begin a new career in St. Louis, MO where performing became secondary and teaching/director was primary. While here, Chivas guested with The Big Muddy Dance Company, performed with Dance St. Louis, and was an ensemble member in The Wiz with The St Louis Black Repertory. From there, he landed a dance teacher job at Grand Center Arts Academy where he truly knew teaching was a passion for him.
In 2016, Chivas moved back to Washington, DC, where he became a core teacher at Joy of Motion and is currently the Co-Chair/Dance teacher of Creative Arts at Gholson Middle School. In 2020, Mr. Merchant-Buckman received his Master’s in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University. With this degree, he wants to enhance his teaching abilities in education and continue and continue mentoring the youth of today.
Questions about our summer intensive? Contact us!
Register for the summer intensive program by downloading our app!
