GCDANCE Summer Auditions
Five days of international dance auditions and masterclasses in Pozzuoli
About GCDANCE Summer Auditions
Pozzuoli: An International Hub for Dance
GCDANCE Summer Auditions stands out as one of Italy's most unique dance events. Rather than a traditional performance festival, it is a major professional gathering that transforms Pozzuoli, in the Metropolitan City of Naples, into a meeting point for young dancers and global artistic institutions for five days. The initiative is conceived and organized by GCDANCEVENTS, the agency founded and directed by Giuseppe Canale, and is held under the honorary patronage of the Municipality of Pozzuoli.
ArtGarage: The Event Headquarters
The main venue is the ArtGarage at Via Bognar 21, a local cultural and artistic center directed by Emma Cianchi, which hosts the majority of educational activities, auditions, and artistic sessions. The center's studios host daily classes, rehearsals, and interviews, while the public highlight of the event takes place outdoors at the Villa Avellino Belvedere, overlooking the gulf.
Masterclasses, Coaching, and Official Auditions
The format is built on an intensive path that combines training with selection. Over the five days, participants have the opportunity to work directly with directors of international companies and academies through:
- intensive masterclasses led by the attending artistic directors;
- individual and group coaching;
- official auditions for job contracts and study programs;
- artistic and professional mentoring sessions.
The stated goal is to create concrete connections between young talents and some of the most prestigious artistic institutions in the world, offering real career opportunities: professional contracts in international companies, apprenticeship programs, admissions to high-level academies, artistic collaborations, and tours.
Participating Companies and Academies
The value of the event lies in the quality of the organizations represented, which over the years have included companies such as Houston Ballet, Semperoper Ballett, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Ballet de Monterrey, Aalto Ballett Essen, Moravian Theater Olomouc, State Opera Plovdiv, Sibiu Ballet Theater, Ballet de Barcelona, Ballet Rhode Island, Étoile Ballet Theatre, and the Neapolitan Cornelia Dance Co, as well as academies such as the Ballet Academy of the Vienna State Opera, The European School of Ballet in Amsterdam, Houston Ballet Academy, Joffrey Ballet School, Palucca University of Dance, the University of Music and Theater in Munich, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, and Corella Barcelona.
"Una Serata di Gala": The Public Highlight
The culmination of the event is "Una Serata di Gala," an international gala held at the Villa Avellino Belvedere, representing the only event open to the general public. The program alternates between great pieces from the classical and neoclassical repertoire and contemporary creations, featuring excerpts of American repertoire authorized by foundations linked to George Balanchine, Stanton Welch AM, and Gerald Arpino. Alongside international stars, local companies ArtGarage Dance Co and Cornelia Dance Co also take the stage.
An Event in the Heart of the Phlegraean Fields
Hosting an event of this caliber in Pozzuoli brings world-class dance to one of the most fascinating territories in Campania. The Phlegraean Fields, with their volcanic landscape, Roman archaeological sites, and the gulf opening toward Ischia and Procida, offer foreign dancers an unforgettable backdrop, while the city gains days of international visibility linked to culture and live performance.
GCDANCE Summer Auditions — edition 2026
GCDANCE Summer Auditions 2026: The Fifth Edition
From June 30 to July 4, 2026, the Phlegraean territory became an international meeting point for the dance sector for five days. The fifth edition of GCDANCE Summer Auditions, organized by GCDANCEVENTS under the direction of Giuseppe Canale, welcomed 120 dancers from over 25 countries and more than 40 world-renowned artistic directors, international guests, coaches, and artists.
Five Days at the ArtGarage
The main venue was the ArtGarage at Via Bognar 21, directed by Emma Cianchi, which hosted educational activities, auditions, and artistic sessions. The program included 15 masterclasses with the attending artistic directors, individual and group coaching, official auditions, and mentoring sessions, with professional contracts, apprenticeship programs, academy admissions, and engagements for productions and tours starting from September 2026 up for grabs.
The Villa Avellino Gala
The event concluded on Friday, July 3, at 9:00 PM at the Villa Avellino Belvedere with the second edition of "Una Serata di Gala," held under the honorary patronage of the Municipality of Pozzuoli and open to the public, featuring classical, neoclassical, and contemporary repertoire.
Programme GCDANCE Summer Auditions 2026
GCDANCE Summer Auditions 2026 Program
June 30 - July 4, 2026 - ArtGarage, Via Bognar 21, Pozzuoli
- 15 masterclasses with the artistic directors of the attending companies and academies;
- individual and group coaching with international coaches and artists;
- official auditions for work and study opportunities starting from September 2026;
- artistic and professional mentoring sessions.
In total, 120 dancers from over 25 countries and more than 40 artistic directors, coaches, and guests took part in the edition.
Companies present at the auditions
Houston Ballet, Semperoper Ballett, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Ballet de Monterrey, Aalto Ballett Essen, Moravian Theater Olomouc, State Opera Plovdiv, Sibiu Ballet Theater, Ballet de Barcelona, Ballet Rhode Island, Étoile Ballet Theatre, Cornelia Dance Co, and other entities represented by GCDANCEVENTS.
Academies present at the auditions
Ballet Academy of the Vienna State Opera, The European School of Ballet (Amsterdam), Houston Ballet Academy, Joffrey Ballet School, Palucca University of Dance, University of Music and Theater in Munich, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, Corella Barcelona, and other institutions represented by GCDANCEVENTS.
Friday, July 3, 9:00 PM - "Una Serata di Gala" (2nd Edition)
Villa Avellino Belvedere, Pozzuoli. International gala evening featuring excerpts of classical, neoclassical, and contemporary repertoire signed by some of the greatest choreographers in history, including pieces of American repertoire authorized by foundations linked to George Balanchine, Stanton Welch AM, and Gerald Arpino.
Announced guests include:
- Iana Salenko and Marian Walter, principal dancers of the Staatsballett Berlin;
- Angelo Greco & Co, with principal dancers from Houston Ballet and San Francisco Ballet (including Misa Kuranaga, Connor Walsh, and Yuriko Kajiya);
- Rosario Guerra and Giada Zanotti, soloists of Ballet Basel;
- Alessandro Giaquinto, Timoor Afshar, and Giovanni Borriello;
- ArtGarage Dance Co, directed by Emma Cianchi;
- Cornelia Dance Co, directed by Nyko Piscopo.
Highlights GCDANCE Summer Auditions 2026
- Fifth edition: 120 dancers from over 25 countries and more than 40 international artistic directors, coaches, and guests
- 15 masterclasses and official auditions for contracts and admissions starting from September 2026
- Main venue at the ArtGarage in Pozzuoli, directed by Emma Cianchi
- "Una Serata di Gala" (2nd edition) on Friday, July 3, at 9:00 PM at the Villa Avellino Belvedere
- Performances by Iana Salenko and Marian Walter of Staatsballett Berlin, Angelo Greco & Co, Rosario Guerra and Giada Zanotti of Ballet Basel
- American repertoire authorized by the Balanchine, Stanton Welch AM, and Gerald Arpino foundations
- Honorary patronage of the Municipality of Pozzuoli
Prices GCDANCE Summer Auditions 2026
Practical information — GCDANCE Summer Auditions
How to get there
Activities take place at the ArtGarage, at Via Bognar 21 in Pozzuoli, while the evening gala is held at the Villa Avellino Belvedere in the city center. Pozzuoli is connected to Naples by regional trains in the Phlegraean area and, by car, via the exits of the Naples Tangenziale heading toward Pozzuoli.
Participating in auditions
Access to masterclasses and auditions is reserved for registered dancers, selected upon application. Information regarding requirements, deadlines, and fees can be requested directly from the organization: [email protected] or WhatsApp +39 353 3526633, as well as on the website gcdancevents.com.
Attending the gala
"Una Serata di Gala" is the event open to the public: tickets are available for presale on Vivaticket, with reduced rates available for dance schools and dancers, with no age limit.
Where to stay
Pozzuoli has various accommodations in the center and along the Phlegraean coast; its proximity to Naples and rail connections also allow for staying in the city and easily reaching the venues.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.