Overview
The summer dance program offers an encompassing curriculum for the serious student who wishes to study dance in a focused and creative atmosphere. Classes are designed to improve the artistic and technical proficiency of each student while providing a positive environment for the exploration of movement and personal growth.
Classes are taught by an experienced and distinguished professional faculty. Additionally, instructors restage choreography and create original works in a variety of styles that showcase students. Each three week session culminates with a public showing of the repertory pieces and may include a performance in summer showcases such as "Collage" and "Les Préludes."
Dance majors train six hours a day and may choose to attend for three or six weeks. Applicants can select from either a ballet emphasis that includes pointe technique and variations or a modern dance emphasis that includes improvisation and composition.
Program Details
- Placement in technique class is determined by skill level.
- Class size is held to approximately 15 students to ensure that students receive individual attention.
- Additional performance opportunities are provided through informal studio showings and interdisciplinary performances incorporating works from multiple arts areas.
Note: Because of the vigorous nature of the dance program, participants should be free of injury prior to arrival. Any health-related concern should be acknowledged on the medical form and reported to the dance department prior to arrival. Dancers are expected to maintain a body weight that is proportionate to their height and bone structure.
All students are expected to be well-groomed; long hair must be worn up and off the neck. A complete listing of required dance attire and supplies will be included in the student handbook and posted on the website.
Ballet Emphasis
- Ballet Technique
- Modern Technique
- Pointe/Variations
- Jazz
- Body Conditioning
- Repertory
Ballet Prerequisites: Students must have had five consecutive years of training at the time of application and two or more years of consistent training en pointe.
Due to the focused nature of this curriculum, students do not participate in any elective classes outside the dance curriculum.
Audition Requirements
An audition is required for acceptance into either the ballet emphasis or modern dance emphasis programs, and may be accomplished by submission of a video/DVD or by attending a regional audition.
All applicants should include the following with their application:
- A photograph taken in first arabesque (ballet)
- A list of training experiences. Please include subject (modern, ballet, jazz, composition, other), dates, names and locations of schools and names of teachers.
- A video audition, if not attending a live regional audition.
Video Audition for Ballet
Center floor exercises (no barre):
Part I:
- Grand Adagio - including développés in each position, promenades and pirouettes.
- Petit Allegro - including jêtés and assemblés.
- Grand Allegro - including grand jêtés, grand jêtés entrelacé and tour en l'air for men.
Part II:
- A solo piece no longer than two minutes that best exemplifies the applicant's technical and artistic abilities. (Ladies are encouraged to perform en pointe).
