2027 LABL Retreat

The LABL Adult Ballet Retreat is designed for adults (18+) who are passionate about dancing, making friends, and having fun! This Retreat is as focused on community building as it is providing our attendees with high-quality ballet education from some of our favorite teachers and industry leaders.

Please note that tickets for Retreat are non-refundable, so make sure to read the details below, as well as the Retreat Terms & Conditions, thoroughly before purchasing.

QUICK DETAILS FOR ATTENDEES

Classes will be at the Francia Russell Center: 1611 136th Pl NE, Bellevue, WA
Available technique levels will be: Beginner, Intermediate, Intermediate Advanced, and Advanced.
Available pointe levels will be: Pointe 1, Pointe 2, Pointe 3, and Technique Workshop (for dancers not on pointe).
We recommend planning your trip from Sunday, June 20th - Saturday, June 26th as we are tentatively planning our gala dinner to take place on Friday, June 25th. Our welcome party takes place on Sunday, June 20th (generally from 4-6pm) so if you are traveling on Sunday please ensure you'll arrive in time to join us!
We will have a host hotel, and will update our website with that information as it becomes available.

Attendees get to immerse themselves in 5 days of dancing, social activities, sightseeing, and fun with new (and old!) friends. The combination of in-and-out-of-the-studio time creates an incredibly joy-filled and supportive community that will stay with you long after your week in Seattle is through.

Tickets can be paid in one single payment of $2,000, or with a payment plan. We'll have a 10 month plan available through mid-October, after which there will be a 6 month payment plan available.

Your ticket will include:

Your choice of 4 technique levels and 4 pointe levels
5 days of classes and workshops with live music
4 days of provided lunches
10 minute photo session with Katie Ging
Welcome Party Sunday, June 20th
Welcome bag
2+ additional social events during the week
Non-refundable 50% deposit
Access to the LABL Active Community Slack
30% off a 30 minute private evaluation (virtual or in-person) with Allie Christensen for dancers who feel they would benefit from individual guidance
3 months of access to our exclusive DANCER STRONG Retreat Prep Program with Allie Christensen! This includes: 3 months of access to a specially curated training plan, 2 strength and 1 mobility workout programmed per week, guidance on other areas to build into your training (ballet classes, walking, etc.) as you build up to Retreat, and monthly check in emails to help keep you on track. Access will start March 15th.
EARLY SIGN UP BONUS: Sign up in 2026 and get 6 months of access to our exclusive DANCER STRONG Retreat Prep Program, plus access to Allie's weekly live classes! Access will begin January 15th.

HALF-DAY TICKET DETAILS👇🏼

We will have half-day tickets available for 2027! Half-day registration will open after full-day registration closes, on April 15th, 2027.

We anticipate that our half-day students will be at the studios from roughly 9am-1pm M/Tu/Th/Fr, and 10am-11:30am on Wednesday. Registration for the half-day ticket will include:

a 50% non-refundable deposit
Warmup, Technique, and Pointe (or Technique Workshop for those not on pointe) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Technique class on Wednesday
Welcome Party & Registration on Sunday, June 21st
Welcome Bag
Access to the LABL Active Community Slack

Half-day tickets are ineligible for additional discounts.

LABL Active was born from a love of movement and the belief that our identities are bigger than any single role we play. Founded in the dance world by Elizabeth Murphy, Principal Dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet, and now expanding for life beyond it, we create versatile, elevated pieces that move seamlessly from studio to street to after hours. Our clean silhouettes and streetwise styling are inspired by the artistry, discipline, and presence of dancers, and built for people who move through life with the same intention, whether they’re on stage or off.

We reclaim the idea of a “label” as something to own, not escape from. It's a badge of identity and self-expression that evolves as you do! From the fit you love to the community you belong to, LABL Active is here to celebrate you as a human above anything else.

Community is the heart of LABL Active, and we believe the strongest connections happen face-to-face — shared sweat, eye contact, real conversation. That’s why we’re investing in in-person experiences that bring our people together outside the algorithm. Come as you are; leave feeling seen, styled, and part of something bigger.

Where will classes be held? Is there parking?
All classes will take place at the stunning Francia Russell Center in Bellevue, WA, home of the Pacific Northwest Ballet School. There is parking, and you can also use public transit to get to the studios.

Is there a sample schedule I can see?
Here is a sample schedule! Our 2027 schedule is not finalized yet, but this should give you an idea of the volume of dancing to expect throughout the week.

How big are class sizes?
We are capping all levels at 20 dancers this year to ensure the best in-studio experience for our attendees!

The level I want is sold out. Do you have a waitlist?
Yes! Click here to add yourself to our waitlist.

How do I know what level to select? You can see descriptions of our levels below! We recommend keeping a few things in mind as you're selecting your level:

The volume of dancing during the week will be a challenge in itself! Even if you're taking classes every day now, it's unlikely that you're used to being on your feet for 5-6 hours per day, multiple days in a row.
Many of you will be in a new location, with new people, and without all the creature comforts of home. You may even be living with a roommate. All of these things can affect your rest and recovery outside of the studio, which can affect your level of fatigue during the week.
It can be helpful to think about the overall experience you want to have during Retreat! Do you want to solidify your technique? Do you want to push your cardiovascular endurance? Are you willing to experience perhaps a little more mental stress by selecting a higher level?
The level you choose for technique will also be the level that you are placed in for repertoire. This will be important to keep in mind if you are not regularly learning rep, or used to dancing as a big group!

👇 BEGINNER👇
This is a true beginner level, designed for dancers who are building a strong foundation in ballet. Classes will focus on developing technique, body awareness, and confidence, with more time to break down steps and concepts than you typically have at your home studio. Expect an accessible pace, introductory barre and center exercises, and plenty of attention to the fundamentals.

We recommend that attendees have at least 6 months of experience taking ballet classes in a studio setting (not just at home) before Retreat begins. Most dancers in this level are within their first three years of taking ballet.

👇 INTERMEDIATE👇
This level is a great option for dancers who have a basic foundation in ballet and are ready to push beyond the Beginner level. You should be comfortable with basic barre terminology and familiar with the structure of a ballet class, but you may still be learning new steps and terminology, particularly in the center.

Dancers in this level should have a basic understanding of the positions of the body, both directions of pirouettes (en dehors and en dedans), and be comfortable moving across the floor. It is expected that our Intermediate dancers also have a solid understanding of basic classroom etiquette, how to space themselves at barre and in the center, and classroom safety.

Classes will move at a more accelerated pace, but combinations will not be overly complicated. Dancers in this level may need to see a combination demonstrated before executing it.

👇 INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED👇
This level is designed for dancers with considerable ballet experience who have a full understanding of barre and center technique and terminology. You should be comfortable learning and completing combinations without needing to watch a demonstrator.

You may have previously trained at an advanced or pre-professional level, or even danced professionally, but are looking for a class that moves at a slightly more measured pace. This could be because you’re returning to ballet after a hiatus, being mindful of your body, or simply prefer more time to focus on the details of your technique.

While teachers may slow down to explain the intricacies of a step, dancers in this level should already have a broad ballet vocabulary and should not be learning new steps or terminology. In terms of your understanding of ballet, this level will feel more like our previous Advanced level; the primary difference is the pace.

👇ADVANCED👇
This is our most challenging level and is designed for dancers who are prepared to work at a professional pace. You should be fully versed in ballet terminology, have extensive experience with both barre and center work, and be comfortable picking up combinations quickly.

Combinations and class pace will be demanding. You should be able to execute a combination from a verbal explanation alone, without needing an instructor to demonstrate it first. This level is best suited to dancers with significant advanced, pre-professional, or professional training.

Tell me about pointe levels? What are they, and how do I select them?
For pointe we are offering:

Pointe 1👉🏼 1 to 2 years on pointe
Pointe 2👉🏼 2-4 years on pointe
Pointe 3👉🏼 5+ years on pointe
Technique Workshop👉🏼 for dancers not on pointe

We will place you in a level based on your response to the question regarding pointe work on the Retreat Registration form (sent to you after you purchase your ticket).

How much experience do I need?
We recommend that dancers have been taking a full class (barre + center, including jumps) at a studio, not just at home, for at least 6 months before attending Retreat.

Planes, trains, and automobiles
We will have a host hotel for 2027, and the website will be updated with details as we confirm them.

The studios are within walking distance of stops on the Sound Transit 2 Line, and we are working to provide additional transportation for any social events that would not be within easy access of Sound Transit.

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the closest airport. You could also take Amtrak into the Seattle Washington King St. Station.

I see Retreat is non-refundable. What happens if I get sick/injured/can't attend?
Please review our terms & conditions for full payment and refund details.

I've purchased my ticket, but I'd like to see my upcoming payment dates and amounts, or change my payment method. Can I do that?
Of course! Simply CLICK HERE, select what you'd like to do, and enter the email address you used to purchase your ticket.

Do I have to audition?
Nope! No auditions required.

Can I try out a different level once I get to Retreat?
This will depend on capacity. If we have room to allow level changes throughout the week we are happy to do so, but if we are at capacity (and we often are) level changes are generally not possible. Keep in mind that your technique level will also affect your Rep for the week, so changes past the first day are generally not advised.

I see lunch is included, and I have an allergy/dietary restriction. Can you tell me more about how that works?
Of course! When you register, you'll be sent a form to fill out, and one of those questions is about food allergies and dietary restrictions. We work closely with Rachel Fine, and our caterers, to build a menu that will fit everyone's needs. Lunches are almost always a build-your-own experience (ex: build your own burrito bowl, buddha bowl, taco bar, potato bar, etc.) and we have found that there are particular cuisines that readily lend themselves to accommodating a wide variety of dietary needs.

Please note: We take allergies and restrictions seriously, and we're managing for a lot. We ask that if you know that your allergy is particularly severe, please fill out the form appropriately and also send us an email.

Do I need to take a COVID-19 test before coming?
We will not be requiring a proctored COVID-19 test in 2026, but we strongly encourage you to test yourself 24 hours before joining our group. People travel from all over the world for this event, and many of our instructors teach at other workshops after Retreat and need to stay healthy to do so. A self-test is an easy and simple way to keep everyone safe, healthy, and able to work!