Founded in 2010, The Rising Stars Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that mentors upper-level dancers ages 13–19. With The Loudoun School of Ballet (LSB) as its home studio, The Rising Stars Foundation provides an opportunity for the dancers – Rising Stars Interns – to learn and experience the dynamics of teaching in the world of dance. Our goal is to train student teachers through hands-on experience in education, choreography, and performance in a supervised setting. We guide our interns to assist and demonstrate in the classroom and embrace the experience of teaching. The Interns are mentored as well as mentors, bridging the gap between the teacher and the younger students through demonstration of positive behavior and a strong work ethic, both of which are necessary to be successful at dance and all other aspects of life. 

     

These Interns offer their time as student teachers in LSB Rising Stars, Ballet, and Contemporary departments. Their volunteer hours count towards required high school volunteer hours. 

 

RS Intern Eligibility:

 

Interns are nominated by the LSB department directors and notified of selection with the fall class recommendations. 

 

Interns must:

• be enrolled in ballet IX or X with good attendance or, to work with jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, and/or tap Rising Stars classes, be an advanced contemporary, jazz, musical theatre or tap student;

• attend the assigned Rising Stars class on a regular basis;

• demonstrate exemplary behavior both in and outside of the classroom;

• attend rehearsals for the opening and closing Intern dances for the Rising Stars recitals;

• perform in Rising Stars winter and spring recitals; and

• participate in fundraisers to cover Foundation administrative and legal fees, performance/costume fees, and non-LSB educational opportunities that the Interns select to attend, such as Disney Youth Programs, Busch Gardens, and Universal Studios.  

 

Intern parent volunteers are critical to the success of the program each year.