Planning for Summer Dancing
Summertime is the perfect time to experience dance in different ways. Intensives, camps, and flexible schedules allow you to learn from new instructors, double down on skills to master and excel in, or try classes that couldn’t fit into the busy school year. If you haven’t made your plans yet, there are still options.
Check out the local arts alliances and studios schedules, websites and social media pages. Many local studios will bring in outside instruction for summer intensives, master classes or add specialty classes. This enables you to choose what will best serve your summer dance goals. Increase the radius you are willing to travel and possibly find a 2 week workshop or afternoon master class that is worth the extra travel time.
Put yourself on wait lists as many dancers will overbook themselves, unsure of which program they will be accepted to. Go ahead and wait, there is always the possibility of getting a spot and having a fabulous experience.
Attend art openings and performances to see art and experience types of art that you usually don’t expose yourself too. Learn all you can to lift your art IQ. On our website, go to the events page and plan out what to see and follow through. Inspiration can come from some unexpected places.
Plan on one pair of traditional pasted pointe shoes per week.
If you are set to go to an intensive, remember to plan to have everything needed with you (stitch kit!) or have a plan to get it shipped to you in a pinch. For pointe programs, depending on the climate of attendance, plan on needing one pair of traditional pasted pointe shoes per week. We recommend that you alternate your pair every other day, or morning and afternoon, to give your shoes a chance to dry out and rest. Gradually work in the another pair as one wears out. Bulk shoe orders save money and time because the discount is deeper than a studio discount and may result in a savings of one full additional pair. As with anything that is needed in multiple, including tights, if unused or out grown before use, bring it back at the end of the summer and exchange it for something needed for fall classes. Also, put on hold possible items to ship and leave your intensive address in our POS system, that way it can ship at a moments notice.
Most of all, enjoy life. Challenge yourself while you do it. Summer will always be a special time and a great time to be with friends, old and new, and family.
Enjoy! Summer is a special time.