Opportunities for Men in Summer Intensives

[Guest tootallgarza]

Hello all,

 

I have not posted on here for quite some time but wanted to thank all those who helped me find ballet shoes for my extremely large feet.

 

As I am finishing up my 3rd month of training I have come to the ephiphany that ballet is what I want to do with my life. It started as a childhood dream and has quickly become an all encompassing passion.

 

My question is in respect to searching for and auditioning for my first summer intensive. Being that I am so new to ballet I undoubtedly know that I will have little to no chance being accepted into the more prestigious schools yet I am not willing to accept that until they tell me NO. As such, as of know I plan on auditioning for as many S.I.'s as possible.

 

Being that I am a very late starter at 22 I was wondering if anyone had any advice on what it takes to be prepared for acceptance into a summer program. (Most if not all posts are regarding women)

I presently take 8-10 classes a week as well as private training on sundays. I was recently offered the opportunity to join the advanced division at my school and have thus been offered the opportunity to work on pas de deux as well and will be performing for the first time in early january in Don Quixote.

 

I guess my real question is if any of ya'll have any advice/stories of your experinces in getting accepted into a good Summer Intensive as I realize that there are probably certain things that will be required of a male that are not required of the women and vice versa.

 

Again thank you to anyone and everyone for taking the time to read this post and all the best in each or your pursuits.

 

Respectfully,

 

JEFF

[Hans]

A number of our adult students on the board have had success with the Adult Dance Camp in Richmond. I believe there's at least one thread about it on either Adult Ballet Students or the Adult Ballet Students' Buddy Board.

[balletboy101]

hey tootall

 

you might want too try Nashville Ballet, when I was there one summer there was a guy who was 24

Edited October 31, 2005 by balletboy101

[davidg]

Your story is not that unusual.

 

It sounds like you're already involved in a school during the year. As your current school committed to your goal that ballet is what you want to do with your life? If so, I would start by discussing the summer program issue with your teacher, what does he/she recommend? A good placement and personal recommendation can go a long way to getting you into a summer program that works well for you.

 

Believe it or not, I do not expect you to have problems getting into a SI, if you look in the right place. So blindly auditioning for dozens of programs might not be the best use of your time.

 

Cost and geography are other issues. Are there any SI's local to where you live? If so, studying there could save you a lot on summer housing and travel costs.