New Beginning — Summer 2027

An Intentional New Direction for KDO Summer

Beginning in Summer 2027, KDO’s Summer Program is evolving to align more closely with our school-year programming, core offerings, and pathway of opportunities for students. While our summer program has welcomed a broader range of students in past years, this new direction intentionally focuses on rising 3rd- and 4th-graders.

This shift allows KDO to create a stronger connection between the summer experience and our year-round programming, while providing an age- and grade-appropriate entry point into the KDO community. Students who participate in the KDO Open Summer Program may also be eligible for consideration for future KDO programs, including advanced scholarship opportunities, based on program criteria and available opportunities.

KDO Open Summer Program now for Rising 3rd & 4th Graders

KDO’s Summer Program is a two-week June experience for rising 3rd- and 4th-graders in our community. The program introduces students to KDO’s signature approach to dance education through live music, joyful movement, and engaging teaching practices.

Students of all experience levels will develop new dance skills while building confidence, creativity, discipline, and teamwork. KDO Teaching Artists draw inspiration from the NDI Method®, an acclaimed arts education approach developed by National Dance Institute, creating an environment where every student is encouraged to work hard, take creative risks, and discover what they can achieve.

The goal of KDO’s summer program is to help children see that hard work, discipline, and collaboration can lead to extraordinary achievements. We strive to cultivate a summer experience that will create a lifetime of memories. No previous dance or KDO experience required!

Summer Program 2027

Grade Level: Rising 3rd and 4th graders for the 2027–2028 school year

Fee: $25 (one-time, non-refundable registration fee; tuition-free program!)

Dates: TBD (two weeks in June)

Times: Monday-Friday | 9:00 am-11:45 am

Location: Athenaeum Foundation  – 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46205

Registration opens in January 2027.

KDO IMAGINE is a week-long summer program that brings together dancers from across our Dancers with Disabilities programs. Please check back here for more information for 2027 programming and visit our Dancers with Disabilities page.

For a week in June, members of our Scholarship Teams engage in a joyful intensive dedicated to honing their KDO skills and learning new choreography. This program is only open to current KDO Scholarship Team members. *Children eligible for the KDO Advanced Teams Summer Program have been part of the KDO SWAT or X-Team for over a year.* E-mail us for additional details.

During the summer, KDO routinely works with other community partners to offer one-time and sequential summer programming. If you are interested in partnering with KDO over the summer, please fill out our Inquiry Form.