The Experiment is a highly intensive Balboa workshop built around the model of small, select groups of students spending a week together with top dancers of our generation in an extraordinary live+work+play environment.
In 2009 we launched a single week with 24 students in a luxury beach house. In 2010 we moved to an even larger house and expanded to two weeks with two separate sets of students (24 each week, doubling the total number to 48). For 2011 we've added some surprising new special guests and are expanding again to three weeks, each accepting 28 students, for a total of 84 spots available!
In place of traditional classes, The Experiment features an ever-evolving set of special sessions developed to take advantage of this unique environment. Primarily student driven, these sessions emphasize self-motivation, group collaboration and friendly competition, with the staff serving as moderators, coaches and fellow participants. In the words of one student, "The Experiment is what I wish every Master's class would be, but can't. It is a truly unique learning experience." (Be sure to see the testimonials page for more.)
Each day contains a balance of these sessions with unstructured free time and social dancing every night. Other activities such as music & DJ discussions, contests and formal nights are spread throughout the week.
The Experiment is co-hosted by Nick Williams & David Rehm in conjunction with a core group of special guests including: Kate Hedin, Laura Keat, Marie Nahnfeldt Mattsson, Jeremy Otth, and Robert White. New for this year we're also proud to welcome an additional set of visiting special guests including: Marty & Jen Lau, Randy Maestretti & Kara Britt, Head DJ Kyle Smith, and several more to be announced (including select participants from the highest week who will be offered guest spots during the other two weeks).
[Most but not all primary guests will be present for all three weeks. Visiting guests will come and go for a few days up to a week, throughout.]
The answer to this question continues to expand with the number of weeks.
Obviously the first year, with only one week & 24 spots, competition was extremely high and attracted many top dancers from around the world (many of whom are also teachers and/or top level competitors, although these are by no means requirements). This continues to be the level of the highest week—best described as 'International Masters'—which offers such dancers an unparalleled opportunity to focus on their own dancing while being challenged & inspired.
The additional two weeks are currently geared for a combination of more 'Advanced/Advanced-plus' dancers along with the broader category of 'Masters'. And with 56 spots to fill between these two weeks, this has now become our largest target level with the greatest chances for being accepted.
Finally, if you are an intermediate or even beginning dancer and would be interested in something geared toward those levels, we encourage you to let us know by submitting an application. We use such applications to help determine the demand for additional weeks.
The Experiment uses an application process to select students just like a university and many other kinds of intensive learning programs. We believe successful small groups require participants at about the same level with similar interests and the right kind of attitude, especially in such close quarters; the application process gives us a pool of candidates—who have actively expressed interest in participating—with information about them to help us try to achieve such groups.
Selection criteria obviously include overall ability and quality of motion, but also things like (in no particular order): self-motivation & work ethic, active-mindedness (consistently asking the right questions and actively seeking answers), creativity/ingenuity, self-awareness, ability to work in groups, overall attitude, and even peer nominations (via each application form).
You do not need a partner, and in fact many participants attend without one. We encourage changing partners during sessions.
The Experiment 2011 will take place during three weeks in April: 2–9, 9–16, & 16–23. The middle week (April 9–16) will host the highest level, with the other two groups during the first and third weeks (expected to be about the same level).
Each week opens to students around 6 pm on their opening Saturday (the first meal provided is dinner at 7), and everyone has to vacate by 9 am the following Saturday. (These times are based on the rental cycle, and apply every Saturday in order for cleaning crews to come through between groups.)
Applications for April 2011 are now open with a deadline of September 30, 2010. Acceptance letters will be sent in waves from the end of October through November. Everyone who applies will receive notification (acceptance or otherwise) by early December.
In order to be more accessible to European participants, The Experiment takes place on the east coast of the United States. This year is again located in Topsail Island, North Carolina, accessible by Wilmington NC International Airport (ILM) which is about 45 minutes away. (Note that this is a very tiny airport. DO NOT confuse with one of several other Wilmingtons.)
New for this year we will be offering a single shuttle from the airport to the house each opening Saturday around 5 pm, and a return shuttle to the airport at 9 am each Saturday morning (which should arrive by 10). Outside of these shuttle times, students are responsible for their own ground transportation.
The present venue is a gorgeous, four-story oceanfront property with the beach right outside the ground level, full balconies on the other three floors, and the main living/dance & dining space on the top floor, all overlooking the ocean. Other notable amenities include a private pool, hot tub, game room with ping-pong & pool table, several large-screen televisions, a second kitchen open to students, multiple laundry machines, and free wifi internet.
There are two kinds of accommodations. Suites are private rooms with a single King bed for 2 people and primarily intended for couples; these rooms share 4 people per bathroom. Bunk rooms hold 4-6 people and can accommodate both individuals and couples with a mix of single- and double/'full'- sized beds; these rooms share 6 people per bathroom. Bed linens and towels are provided.
Meals are provided by an on-site kitchen staff and included in the price of accommodations. Be sure to indicate all dietary restrictions in the appropriate section on the application form.
Music is provided by several head DJs in coordination with students who volunteer to DJ. This year we are proud to welcome special guest head DJ Kyle Smith for part of two of the weeks.
The Experiment is essentially a 'dry campus' (no alcohol) with an exception that students may bring wine for dinner.
Base tuition is US$430 plus the price of accommodations (including meals) which range from US$440-560. (This is competitive with other major week-long camps including total cost of lodging & meals.) If accepted, base tuition is due within two weeks of receiving acceptance letters in October/November (to secure your spot), with the remainder due in January 2011. Alternate payment plan options are available in select circumstances.
The Experiment relies on a volunteer kitchen staff in conjunction with an
in-house chef. Fortunately, several of this past year's enthusiastic volunteers have insisted on joining us for all three weeks(!) next year if possible. Still, we will need a few more volunteers to fill out the schedule at various points, so if you or someone you know might be interested: please drop us an email.
Please direct further questions to: info@thebalboaexperiment.com.