THE JUNIOR TRAINING PROGRAM

About

The Junior Training Program (JTP) was created for dancers who want more:

More training.
More mentorship.
More growth.
More opportunity.

Designed to complement a dancer's existing studio or conservatory training, JTP provides a professional yet supportive environment where young artists are challenged to expand their versatility, strengthen their technique, and discover their full potential. At Koin & Co, we believe exceptional artists are built through both rigorous training and meaningful mentorship. While technical excellence remains at the heart of our program, we are equally committed to developing confident, resilient, and compassionate individuals who are prepared to navigate both the performing arts industry and life beyond the studio.

Our dancers train alongside a community of like-minded artists who are passionate about growth, committed to their goals, and eager to support one another along the way. JTP is not a competition team, recreational program, or replacement for a dancer's home studio. It is an intentionally curated training experience for dancers seeking additional education, industry insight, and personalized mentorship in a professional setting.

For over a decade, Koin & Co has helped young artists build confidence, discover their voice, expand their artistry, and take meaningful steps toward their future goals—whether that path leads to college dance programs, professional opportunities, or simply becoming the strongest version of themselves - because while we are passionate about developing dancers, our greatest mission has always been developing people!

Program Structure

The Junior Training Program runs from September through May and is divided into two semesters: Fall and Spring. Training takes place on Sundays in Midtown Manhattan and is intentionally structured to reflect the energy, expectations, and professionalism of a working artist's schedule. Enrollment is intentionally limited each season to ensure every dancer receives meaningful mentorship, individualized attention, and the opportunity to build genuine connections within the community. Throughout the year, dancers train with a diverse roster of educators and industry professionals, gaining exposure to a wide range of teaching styles, artistic perspectives, and approaches to movement.

Our curriculum is designed to create versatile, adaptable artists who are comfortable stepping outside of their comfort zones and embracing new challenges. No two Sundays look exactly alike, because no two artists grow in exactly the same way!

Mentorship & Artist Development

What truly sets Koin & Co apart is our commitment to mentorship. While technical training is an essential part of every season, our work extends far beyond the studio! Throughout the year, dancers are encouraged to explore their goals, strengthen their confidence, develop their artistic voice, and gain a deeper understanding of who they are both as artists and individuals. Our faculty are not simply teachers; they are mentors, advocates, and working professionals who are invested in helping the next generation navigate an ever-evolving industry. Our goal is not simply to prepare dancers for their next audition, but to provide them with the tools, perspective, and support needed for long-term success.

Industry Exposure

We believe education is most impactful when it connects directly to the realities of the industry. Throughout the season, dancers may have opportunities to participate in special workshops, masterclasses, mock auditions, educational seminars, artist talks, and other enrichment experiences led by working professionals. These experiences are designed to help dancers bridge the gap between training and the professional world, providing valuable insight into the expectations, opportunities, and realities of a career in the performing arts.

While opportunities may vary from season to season, our commitment remains the same: to expose dancers to a broad range of voices, experiences, and pathways within the industry.

Mock Audition Series

One of JTP's most unique educational opportunities is our Mock Audition Series (MAS). Designed to simulate real-world audition environments, MAS allows dancers to apply their training in a professional setting while receiving valuable feedback from industry professionals and talent representatives. These experiences help dancers build confidence, strengthen audition skills, and gain firsthand insight into the expectations of today's professional landscape. Over the years, many JTP dancers have secured agency meetings, mentorship opportunities, and professional representation through connections developed during the Mock Audition Series!

Past & Present Success Stories:

• Bloc Talent Agency: Kiana Rodriguez, Marina Krumins-Beens, Robbie Sioch, Hope Irish, Anaih Melenciano

• CESD Talent Agency: Julia Russo, Celeste Maniero, Jessica Santa, Kayla Capato, Adriana Ciociano, Mia Ciociano, Nicollete Ciociano

• Clear Talent Agency: Hayatt Kiki

• MSA Talent Agency: Giada Leigh, Daneya Celestin, Madison Arce, Avivah Hernandez, Deanna Pandolfo

• Go 2 Talent Agency: Sarah Chalarca

• The Movement Talent Agency: Bella Savastano

• New England Patriots NFL Cheerleaders: Hayley Schmich

• Brooklynettes NBA Dance Team: Deanna Pandolfo

• Celtics NBA Dance Team: Mia Watkins

• CLI Conservatory: Robbie Sioch, Kayleigh Griffin, Gabrielle Carvalho

Resume Building

A strong resume is every dancer’s key to success. It's often the first impression you make at an audition and needs to professionally and accurately represent your brand.

As Koin & Co Founder & Director Ali Koinoglou often says, “You wouldn’t buy a vacuum without reading about the features first.” Similarly, your resume must clearly show your strengths. Many artists new to the industry aren't always taught how to properly format their materials — which is why JTP dancers receive "how-to" seminars and consistent feedback to support the development of their professional resumes.

Photo Shoots

Each season, Koin & Co offers optional professional photo shoot opportunities exclusively for JTP dancers, in September: The Welcome Shoot & in March: March Madness. These professionally produced sessions provide dancers with high-quality marketing materials, updated headshots, dance images, and content suitable for auditions, agency submissions, college applications, personal branding, and social media.

Each shoot is thoughtfully designed to be age-appropriate, creatively engaging, and tailored specifically to the needs of today's young artist. Participation in photo shoots is not included in tuition. Dancers who choose to participate receive access to exclusive company rates ($95-$125 per shoot) negotiated specifically for members of the program!

Educational Seminars

Throughout the season, JTP dancers participate in specialized educational seminars led by industry professionals, artists, educators, and leaders from across the performing arts community. These sessions are designed to provide dancers with valuable insight beyond technical training, offering real-world guidance on topics such as career development, mental wellness, higher education, audition preparation, personal branding, financial literacy, and navigating the ever-evolving performing arts industry.

Hosted throughout the season, these conversations encourage dancers to think critically, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to build a sustainable and fulfilling career in the arts. At Koin & Co, we believe artist development extends far beyond the studio, and these seminars play an important role in helping dancers grow into informed, confident, and well-rounded individuals!

Mandatory Dates

To respect and support dancers' home studio commitments, the Junior Training Program has only four mandatory dates.

• First Sunday of Season 11
  📅 Sunday, September 20, 2026 (9a-5p)

• The Welcome Shoot
  📅 Season 11 Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026 (full day)

• March Madness
  📅 Season 11 Dates: Sunday, March 7 & 11 2027 (full days)

• Last Sunday of Season 11
  📅 Sunday, May 23, 2027 (full day)

Our Mission

JTP Director Ali Koinoglou created the Junior Training Program from a place of personal experience. As a young dancer newly arriving in New York City, Ali found herself unprepared for the true demands of a professional dance career. Driven by a passion to change that for the next generation, she built a program that expands young dancers' knowledge, skills, & professionalism - all while honoring their existing studio & program commitments. Dancers are selected not solely based on talent, but equally on their character, work ethic, & professionalism.

At Koin & Co, our mission is clear:

"We strive to invite dancers with kind hearts & open minds into the Junior Training Program, developing not only exceptional artists but all-around extraordinary humans."

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