The half day Professional Training Program (PTP) is designed for students aged 12+ who would like to train in an intensive and professional environment. Students attend academic school in the morning and dance training classes in the afternoon. Acceptance into the PTP is by audition only.

PTP students are nurtured in an atmosphere dedicated to excel­lence with personalized programs and coaching to ensure training is well rounded and meets the demands of a professional dancer.

The program runs for 11 months each year beginning the sea­son with a mandatory Summer Intensive session designed to accelerate progress, build technical strength and develop artistry. Throughout the year students are also exposed to many perfor­mance opportunities including group and solo work in local and international competitions and festivals. The season is capped off with the annual VAB Celebration of Dance in May.

Students in the Professional Training Program follow a curriculum that includes both practical and theory-based classes. Studies include:

• Daily technique classes and pointe work, allowing time to refine technique, build strength and develop artistry
• Examinations in the Cecchetti Method.  Working in the Cecchetti Method helps to develop style, artistry, grace, line, and detailed footwork all essential for a dancer.
• Weekly repertoire classes allow students to refine technique and artistry as well as to be coached on selected solos from ballets.  The ballet genres covered in these classes include Romantic, Classical, and Contemporary Ballets.
• Additional weekly classes in Contemporary, Jazz and body conditioning ensure training of all students is well rounded and in line with the demands of a professional dancer.
• Performance preparation for both local and international competitions, local festivals, and our annual Celebration of Dance.  Victoria Academy of Ballet students work on both group and individual performance works choreographed by industry professionals.
• Personal Development skills are viewed as an important part of daily training.  Journals are used to assist with the maintenance of personal corrections, reminders, and weekly tasks.  Feedback, individual interviews, and written reports form part of the process for personal development.
• Nutrition for dancers is explored helping students achieve an understanding of the nutritional demands on a dancer and how to best achieve ultimate performance and health through sound nutritional habits.
• Dancers are instructed in personal wellness and emotional health issues pertinent to students who engage in intense professional dance training. Workshops with a PISE sports psychologist ensure students have access to the most up-to-date techniques for managing stress, motivation, and developing emotional strength and resilience.
• Dancers, like other elite athletes can be prone to depression and anxiety in their pursuit of excellence and perfectionism. Dancers are instructed by counseling professionals to recognize these signs of stress and how to use coping strategies to defuse potential problems.
• The school designated Physiotherapist and Pilates teacher to instruct dancers in injury prevention and anatomy and physiology topics pertinent to the PTP curriculum.
• School staff instruct dancers in cross-training options to use when injured,  when needing adjunct training for strength /conditioning, or to maintain fitness during holiday time.
• Dancers are evaluated on their acquired knowledge and practice through assignments and through individual meetings and consultation with staff.
•  Each dancer has an individual educational program for their dance training both in the studio and for adjunct curriculum which is reviewed regularly and changed according to individual progress.