The Regional Dance America National Choreography Intensive (NCI) is a multi-faceted program, providing dancers, emerging choreographers and seasoned choreographers the unparalleled opportunity to work, study and create under the guidance of nationally recognized professionals in the fields of music and dance. The NCI provides a vital training ground/working environment for choreographers and a one-of-a-kind experience for dancers to work within a variety of styles and train with some of the best teachers in the world. Tracing its roots back to 1961, it has been guided by luminaries from the professional dance world. NCI 2011 is a culmination of this history plus so much more.

Kathleen Sinclair, artistic director of Ballet Yuma, speaks highly of the Choreography Intensive.  "In a short 2 weeks," she says, "dancers are given the opportunity to work with many different choreographers and many times discover new ways to look at dance outside what they would normally do at "home". For choreograpers: they get time to explore their craft without the outside pressures of everyday life and have time to discuss, analyze and get feedback from a master as well as peers."

Artistic director Amy Morton of Appalachian Ballet also believes the Choreography Intensive is a wonderful opportunity.  "The Choreography Summer Intensive," she says, "is one of the best tools for young maturing dancers who are wanting to challenge their minds by learning new choreography quickly and adapting to many different choreographers. Dancers must deal with a variety of personalities all in one day while working their minds, body and spirit... then, a chance to perform daily!  For the choreographers, the opportunity to be given dancers, nice work space, a master choreography teacher and music professional to work with and to guide them is an extraordinary experience. Also, the participants have the rare gift of meeting and establishing new friendships in the dance world from all across the United States."