Ballet Summer Intensive advice

[sk!mom]

First of all this is budget related as it is quite expensive and I'm trying to make the right choice for my budget so that I can hang on to some of my vacation money.

My DD12 has auditioned for Ballet Austin and will audition for Houston Ballet and Texas Ballet Theater. We may do others by video.

Now someone has mentioned Ballet Magnificat to me. The site makes it sound like a really fun supportive atmosphere to dance in. Anybody have experience with it?

 

[Green Tea]

I do not have direct advise about the program you are questioning. My DD does these summer intensives as well though. They are expensive but she loves them. I, and this is just me, would stick with a company you know. What does her current instructor say about the one you are asking about? And speak to your minister about the message they share. It might be theologically different from what you teach at home and in your home church.

For the expense of residential professional instruction, I would focus on the best in the dance arena.

 

[pixiepower1971]

Ballet Magnificat is well respected in the ballet world. I know one girl that has attended numerous times and LOVES it.

We are Christian..so that does not affect my opinion of the program. BUT, my daughter and I really want her summer intensive to focus on ballet. We feel that Ballet Magnificats bible study takes time away from dance. My daughter is also concerned about the dress code. She is afraid she would get too hot in class having to cover up as much as they want them to.

We are in the middle of summer intensive auditions as well. It is a huge committment and a LOT of money! I would recommend Ballet Magnificat for a very devout Christian ballerina that does not want to leave that world for the summer.

 

[Dancemom03]

DD19 and I would second pixiepower's opinion. Ballet Magnificat has a wonderful reputation but if we're spending the big bucks on dance I want it to concentrate specifically on dance. We're Christian and go to church, so it's not a religious opposition but strictly a focus/theming type of issue for us.

I'm not sure how old your daughter is, but if she's happy where she's dancing now and you anticipate her being there for the long haul, I'd give more weight to suggestions from those instructors & directors you've worked with locally, and the intensives they favor - assuming they can give you a good reason for why they prefer that program over another that's more than familiarity.

Competition season has arrived for many. If you compete, ask moms from other companies, especially those with girls who've entered for titles, which programs they've done. It's a terrific way to start a conversation and I'm always amazed at what I learn from listening to others' experiences. I've even asked judges and competition owners for advice if I happen to be hanging out when they're taking a coffee break or something. I've found that there are often distinct trends in choreography and music which change seemingly without notice so any insight I can get from those who travel the country and see it everyday is treasured.

The words which changed the way we looked at auditions and competitions came during a powerpak parent's coffee with Starpower's Gary Pate who told us that every dancer starts with a perfect score when she takes the stage. Judges can see technique, form and talent in a relatively short period of time and the longer you're on the stage the greater the possibility that your score could decrease as opposed to increased as flaws are exposed or accidents/mistakes happen. It was exactly the opposite of what many of us had always assumed and quite an eye-opening thought.
DD's solos got much shorter after that and scores increased as a result which, in the end, took a lot of the stress out of performing and made it fun again.

 

[sk!mom]

Thank you for all of your comments.

We may keep it on the list as the Christian aspect would be fine with us. At this point, DD is sending out audition DVD's and auditioning and we will see where she's accepted and what fits best with our other summer plans.

 

[autumnpalm]

I am from Canada, but I have had a friend who went to Ballet Magnificat. She had an absolutely wonderful time there, but she said technique-wise, it wasn't the best SI she's been to.

I would encourage your daughter to check out some Canadian schools as well. The National Ballet School has a fantastic, albeit competitive, program. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet also has a great SI and there's the Quinte Ballet School of Canada (where I went! ) While I was there, there were quite a few Americans. Also, I have friends in the Post Graduate program at NBS, but they said there were a number of American during their summer intensives growing up.

The only US Summer Intensive I know a lot about is PNB.

Merde to your daughter!!

 

[pilgrimage]

How about the American Dance Festival at Duke?

 

[sk!mom]

I am from Canada, but I have had a friend who went to Ballet Magnificat. She had an absolutely wonderful time there, but she said technique-wise, it wasn't the best SI she's been to.

I would encourage your daughter to check out some Canadian schools as well. The National Ballet School has a fantastic, albeit competitive, program. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet also has a great SI and there's the Quinte Ballet School of Canada (where I went! ) While I was there, there were quite a few Americans. Also, I have friends in the Post Graduate program at NBS, but they said there were a number of American during their summer intensives growing up.

The only US Summer Intensive I know a lot about is PNB.

Merde to your daughter!!

Thank you for your suggestions. I am familiar with the Canadian NBS as a girl from our local studio has been a full time boarding student there for a couple of years. She is very happy there. I will check into all you mentioned.

 

[Kitzka]

Thank you for all of your comments.

We may keep it on the list as the Christian aspect would be fine with us. At this point, DD is sending out audition DVD's and auditioning and we will see where she's accepted and what fits best with our other summer plans.

SK!mom-i don't have much to add as this will be my DD's first summer doing a SI. I did have a budget related question-how are you all handling the video audtions?

I am a total newbie at this and was trying to find the best way to tackle this. The few SI we are looking at do not want competition videos so we would fim something in the studio. but wonder how muuch things like video quality matter? we don't own a video camera but were thinking of borrowing one from a freind otherwise we would use the video capability on our camera.

thanks
lara

 

[Jitzy]

I spent my summers in Carlisle, PA dancing with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. You dance with the school while the room and board is paid to Dickinson College. They are very strict there. All but a few levels take three classes a day and one on Saturday. It is not a "camp." Look them up. I think the website is http://cpyb.org
I just looked them up last week. They also have a two week non-resident program. The instruction per week is $250. You would just stay in a hotel. The upside is that you could be there with your daughter.

Have fun deciding. It is one of the best ballet schools in the world. SAB sends their kids to Marcia for technique!
Good Luck!

 

[dsanner106]

My daughter did this for years and ended up with the Atlanta Ballet Company. Do stick with a program you know, and can afford. Some of my daugters best experiences were with the least expensive programs. More personal attention than with the big ones. Ballet Magnificat is fine, but no better technique wise than any other she attended. IMHO not worth the extra money.

Drew

 

[sk!mom]

SK!mom-i don't have much to add as this will be my DD's first summer doing a SI. I did have a budget related question-how are you all handling the video audtions?

I am a total newbie at this and was trying to find the best way to tackle this. The few SI we are looking at do not want competition videos so we would fim something in the studio. but wonder how muuch things like video quality matter? we don't own a video camera but were thinking of borrowing one from a freind otherwise we would use the video capability on our camera.

thanks
lara

I am also a newbie but luckily DD's dance teacher isn't. DD is meeting with her Monday to discuss the video. Her teacher will make the video. I'm thinking that the studio has a camera but if not I will use my sister's Flip. I can then upload it and make as many DVD's as we decide to send out.

 

[Green Tea]

The video should be able to be taped by your daughter's instructor. It helps if you can edit, to get the best of what they want, but don't worry about the quality of the camera. The schools and companies know what they are looking for. A professional quality tape isn't going to make a dancer look better or worse. Just do the best you can.

CPYB does have a good reputation It is a nice program. My DD has applied to many; both by video and live auditions. Attended different ones for the past 3 summers.

 

[pixiepower1971]

CPYB has an excellent reputation. Many girls from my area attend every year. It does not require an audition. Application and pictures only.

Good Luck getting through audition season everyone. I am headed out the door to take my daughter to an audition in just a little bit. This really takes up a lot of time in Jan and Feb!

 

[pixiepower1971]

How is audition season going for everyone? Has anyones child made their choice yet as to where they are going to attend this summer?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I'm going to move this over to the CB, where I think you'll find more dance families to share their experiences. Good luck with auditions, everyone!