The GPI (Grand Prix Intensive) is a dance training intensive. It is a fun, exciting way to train with world-renowned master teachers including those from the acclaimed Master Ballet Academy. These are perfect to stay in dance shape, learn new techniques and get private coaching.
The regular program is for dance students ages 8 to professional. The "Mini Program" for ages 5-7.
The Master Ballet Academy Grand Prix Intensive held it's first event over Labor Day weekend in 2016 hosted by the beautiful JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. The MBA GPI, as we call it, was the brain child of our artistic director, Slawomir Wozniak and his wife, ballet mistress Irena Wozniak, who felt there was a need and demand for ballet dancers to have a kickstart back to the dance season after summer break. The MBA Grand Prix Intensive Labor Day weekend GPI emphasizes ballet barre, pointe, variations, center work, leaps, and turns, while also providing master classes in genres such as contemporary, ballroom, jazz, and neoclassical. The goal is to provide serious training while having a lot of fun. The intensely-packed 4-day weekend includes the opportunity for all dancers to learn choreography in their class level that is then combined with all other levels for one huge jazz production number to be performed for parents and friends, while also filmed by a professional cinematographer. Dancewear vendors are also in attendance, providing the opportunity to shop your favorite brands or be fitted for pointe shoes by professional fitters. Private lessons with MBA's master teachers or solo choreography with our world-renowned master guest teachers is also available. It's a fantastic even and we hope you'll join us at the next MBA Grand Prix Intensive!
Need to contact us?
Email: masterballetnews@gmail.com
Phone: 602-996-8000
Mail/in-person: 15795 North 76th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
ABOUT THE GPI
MBA'S WINTER GRAND PRIX INTENSIVE
Join us from DECEMBER 27TH- DECEMBER 30TH in Scottsdale, Arizona for our annual
LABOR DAY GPI DANCE INTENSIVE
Train with the masters of Master Ballet Academy and their special guests in
Ballet, Contemporary, and more. This program is held in-person.
***LIMITED AVAILABILITY***
MINIMUM AGE: 8 YEARS OLD
Ages 8 to professional is the regular program and our new MINI Level is for ages 5-7.
4 days of amazing master classes!
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Main Registration ($595.00)
Register for the full Grand Prix Intensive experience inclusive of all regular non add on classes.
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Main Registration- Male Participants ($300.00)
Register for the full Grand Prix Intensive experience inclusive of all regular non add on classes. This includes all of the partnering classes by our male students
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Mini Female ($425.00)
Ages 5-7. Register for the Mini Grand Prix Intensive experience.
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Mini Male ($260.00)
Ages 5-7. Register for the Mini Grand Prix Intensive experience.
Partnering ($40.00)
Add on a partnering class outside of regular intensive hours to develop and improve your skills in pas de deux.
(Girls must be age 13 and on pointe for at least one full year)
Junior and Senior Boys (no cost)
Solo Critique ($40.00)
Add on a solo critique of your contemporary solo or classical variation for comments and critique by MBA and guest teachers.
Audition for Summer Intensive 2026 ($40.00)
Get a jump start on your summer plans byauditioning for the MBA summer intensive. Savethe stress of preparing audition videos andphotos and audition while you are here at theintensive.
*Current registered MBA students receive an additional discount, see the front desk for details.*
OR you can call 602-996-8000 to register
available in-person during the GPI Intensive
You MUST be registered for the Intensive to sign up for private lessons and choreography.
Private lesson times will be scheduled in the order we receive paid requests.
Private lessons and choreography are NON-REFUNDABLE.
If you cannot attend, we will do the lesson/choreography on Zoom.
Lessons are offered by Rasta Thomas, Myles Lavallee, Slawomir Wozniak, Irena Wozniak, Slawek Wozniak and Michal Wozniak
Email us at MasterBalletNews@gmail.com to schedule
PRIVATE LESSONS & CHOREOGRAPHY
2025 GUEST FACULTY
SLAWOMIR WOZNIAK
Artist Director of the MBA Grand Prix Intensive, Master Ballet Academy, and Phoenix Ballet
Slawomir Woźniak was born on 2 November 1967. In 1977-1986, he attended the Poznań ballet school. He gained his first stage experience partnering artists of Teatr Wielki in Poznań in performances of Cinderella. Slawomir Woźniak’s professional debut took place in 1986 at the Wroclaw Opera where he danced the Prince in Cinderella choreographed by Teresa Kujawa. He was employed there in 1986-1988.It was in Wroclaw that he met his future wife, also a soloist of ballet company of Wroclaw Opera. Their performance in Swan Lake left an unforgettable impression on all those who had a chance to see it. In 1988 he became a soloist and in 1989 the principal dancer of Teatr Wielki in Łódź. His first premiere there was also Cinderella. In 1991 he joined the ballet of the National Opera in Warsaw as a first soloist. From 2000-2011 he was a principal dancer with the company. He was a Guest Artist with Bulgarian National Ballet, Greek National Ballet, Arena Di Verona Ballet and many others. In 2000 Slawomir Woźniak graduated from the Ballet Pedagogy at the Frederic Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw. For many years he had conducted dance courses for young Americans during Summer Intensive programs.Together with his American partner Kathleen Arcierci, he won a bronze medal at the Third International Ballet Competition in New York in 1990. In 1993 Mr. Woźniak won a bronze medal at the First International Ballet Competition in Nagoya, Japan. Slawomir Woźniak was also a Jury Member for Polish International Ballet Competition in Gdansk, Poland.For the last several years he has also created many choreographies for Ballet, Opera and Drama theatres. His choreographic works include:
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“Only Love…” Polish National Ballet, Warsaw, Poland – 2002
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“Comix-Comedy” Polish National Ballet, Warsaw, Poland – 2005
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“The Nutcracker” full production for Poznan Opera House, Poland – 2006 and Ballet & Friends in Phoenix, AZ – 2007
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“Peacock and the Maiden” Poznan Opera House, Poland – 2007
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“Copellia” Poznan Opera House, Poland -2009
*SCHEDULE COMING SOON*
Classes:
Ballroom, Play Fu, Ballet, Pointe, Variations, Contemporary, Jazz, Improv, Jumps & Turns and more! Plus NEW Partnering Add on class, day TBD
The goal of our GPI is to help dancers stay in shape, learn new technique and prepare for upcoming competitions! Students get to train with our master instructors from Master Ballet Academy in a variety of classes.
Subject to change
PARTNERING Add on (boys 12+, girls must be age 13 and on pointe at least one full year)
Boy's No charge for partnering; Girls = $40.
Partnering will be held in 2 separate age groups
DRESS CODE
Ladies: Black leotard, pink tights, ballet shoes, pointe shoes
(for those already on pointe).
Gentlemen: White or black shirt, black tights, white or black ballet shoes, dance belt.
REQUIRED APPAREL OR ACCESSORIES WILL BE NOTED HERE AS WE FINALIZE OUR GUEST ARTIST LINEUP. PLEASE CHECK BACK.
PLEASE NOTE:
ALL DANCERS must be fully dressed in a shirt and sweats or shorts or the like (aka street clothes) upon entering and leaving the studio. Wearing your dance attire in or out of the studio is not permitted (except underneath the aforementioned clothing). Thank you!