We can't believe this summer is already coming to a close. Next week's ballet intensive may be our last summer camp this year, but it is also a great way to kick off the fall season. If you're anything like us, summertime doesn't have us dancing as often as we'd like. The ballet intensive is a great way to get back in shape and jump start your technique. Here's what to expect:
- We'll have dancers split into two groups, intermediate & advanced. Both groups will take a two hour ballet class, followed by 1 hour of variations. A variation is a short dance within a larger ballet.
- There will be a different ballet teacher every day! That's right! You heard it here first. Both intermediate and advanced groups will learn from five different teachers during the ballet class. Ms. Mary Ann, Ms. Audrey, and Ms. Leah will be teaching, along with new ADC faculty member Ms. Michelle and guest instructor Jhe Russel. Jhe Russel has been a soloist with the National Ballet of Canada and Dance Theater of Harlem as well as a principal dancer with Charlotte Ballet in North Carolina and the Columbia City Ballet in South Carolina.
- You're probably going to be sore. Leaping back into three hours of dance per day is going to be surprising for your body. While it's important to push yourself, don't get frustrated if things aren't coming as easily as they were at the end of the year. Make sure you drink enough water to keep your muscles hydrated, and get your bubble bath ready for after dance each night!
This year's ballet intensive is going to be the better than ever. Learning from five teachers means five different teaching styles and perspectives on one technique. Dancers should keep a journal with all of the new information they will learn, and the new images they will be able to connect. We can't wait to see how much progress the dancers will make by the end of the week!