Hailed as one of the top dance companies in the nation, the Raleigh-based Carolina Ballet returns for a month-long summer intensive and residency at University of North Carolina Wilmington. The Carolina Ballet Summer Intensive & Residency at UNCW provides Carolina Ballet the opportunity to develop exciting new works, gives young dancers the opportunity to train with a renowned faculty of professionals and gives Southeastern North Carolina the opportunity to witness the world-class artistry of Carolina Ballet through live performances and open rehearsals.

Guided by Robert Weiss, artistic director, the company will reside on the UNCW campus through July, developing and rehearsing new works to add to their repertory. This year, acclaimed choreographer Lynne Taylor-Corbett joins Carolina Ballet in residency to create a new work that will open the company's 2008-2009 season in Raleigh. The ballet will be one of two works to receive its World Premiere in August when Carolina Ballet performs at UNCW's Kenan Auditorium. Taylor-Corbett, an experienced choreographer of ballet, Broadway and film, received accolades for her direction and choreography of Swing!, earning Tony nominations and two American Theatre Wing Star Awards.

Weiss will also create a new work for the World Premiere performance at Kenan Auditorium. Still untitled, Weiss' new ballet will be choreographed to the Paul Moravec composition, Time Gallery. Moravec won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for his composition The Tempest Fantasy, which Weiss used for a ballet of the same name in 2006.

In addition to hosting the world-class choreographers and dancers of Carolina Ballet, UNCW will welcome nearly 90 emerging young dancers, who will participate in a five week summer intensive. During this time, the students can observe the Carolina Ballet in daily rehearsals and train with a faculty of dancers and instructors. Students from throughout the nation will be in attendance, some traveling from as far as Israel, France, Spain and Australia to attend the rigorous, audition-only program.

The 2008 Carolina Ballet Summer Intensive at UNCW culminates with a World Premiere Performance and Gala Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 2. The evening features the official world premiere of the works created by Weiss and Taylor-Corbett, followed by a "Meet-the-Artists" reception with live music. Tickets are $70 with proceeds to benefit the Carolina Ballet Summer Residency at UNCW.

Audiences will have two other opportunities to witness Carolina Ballet in performance while in residency. On Friday, Aug. 1 the company will present a preview of their new works and on Saturday, Aug. 2, the students of the Carolina Ballet Summer Intensive will be featured in a Student Matinee Performance, which will also features special guest dancers from the company.

Tickets are available at the Kenan Auditorium Box Office 910.962.3500 or 800.732.3643. Information is available at uncw.edu/arts.

A schedule of open company rehearsals will be announced in early July. Check www.uncw.edu/arts for updates.

Media Contact: Courtney Reilly, reillyce@uncw.edu or 910.962.2082