Drew Davis, Features Editor
@ddaviscourant
Summer is typically a time where school and activities break before re-booting for another year of hard work. However, for the dancers at the New England Academy of Dance (NEAD), ballet has no off-season with programs. Ranging from three weeks to the entire summer, dancers attend ballet summer intensives held by world famous dance companies to improve their skills.
Summer intensives are dance programs in which instructors who are either retired professionals or associates with a ballet company teach the students various skills and types of dancing. Throughout the typical eight hour day the dancers attend classes focused on aspects of ballet such as stretching, classical ballet, partnering, pointe, and technique.
Ever since the summer going into 6th grade, sophomore NEAD company dancer Hailey Daniel has attended summer intensives to help her develop as a ballerina. “I do summer intensives to make sure I stay in shape and gain experience dancing with other teachers,” Hailey said. “I appreciate receiving different points of views on corrections which help to strengthen my dancing.”
The improvement is evident when the students return to NEAD at the beginning of the school year. “I notice mostly changes in the dancer’s ability to execute movements that gave them trouble before the summer,” NEAD instructor Ted Thomas said.
This progression in the students’ dancing is a result of the instructor’s dedication to helping their campers improve. “It is a supportive atmosphere because the teachers are willing to talk to you after class about what you should focus on and how to continue working on your strengths,” freshman NEAD dancer Grace Stearns said.
Because of the length of the programs, the most difficult part for the students is often the physical stress put on their body. “Dancing for eight hours a day is exhausting and when classes are over we go back to our dorms to ice our feet,” Grace said.
On top of that, the emotional pressure brought on by the determination and intensity of the other campers is often draining as well. “There are girls at camp who dedicate their entire life to ballet so for people like me who don’t want to necessarily become a professional dancer it is super intense and competitive,” sophomore NEAD dancer Madeline Friedland said.
Among some of the more popular programs NEAD dancers attend are the American Ballet Theater (ABT) and Bolshoi Ballet Academy, a Russian company. These camps attract
dancers from all around the world which provides the students with multiple perspectives and exposes them to various cultures and styles of dancing.
Bolshoi is especially praised for its incorporation of Russian culture in the school through the use of Russian speaking teachers. “You are instructed in Russian which is translated by translators but you are bonded by the same language of ballet,” senior NEAD student and five year Bolshoi student Kristin Davis said. “You know by their hand movements, gestures and facial expressions if you are doing something wrong.”
Also unique to the various schools is their style of dancing. “Russian style of dancing, vaganova, is all about emotion,” Kristin said. “Therefore at Bolshoi they really focus on your expression through your face, head, and arms.”
Even though the dancers value what they learn, one of their greatest take aways from the summer is the international friendships made. “It’s cool because I have made friends from places like Colombia, Italy, Brazil, Japan, Cyprus, Russia, Australia, Canada, and all over the US including Alaska,” Kristin said.
While it may be difficult to muster the energy to dance the whole day, the benefits of camp outway the physical and emotional pain. “It is exhausting but you have to challenge yourself otherwise you will never improve,” Grace said. “Dancers should attend summer intensives because it is a great way to meet people and get different corrections.”
