Neccesity of Summer Schools

[Guest BalletBuzz]

Hi.

I started dance at fifteen. I have just finished what is college here, i.e. the 17-18 year age bracket. I have been accepted into two ballet schools for full-time training this year and made my choice. It is now the Christmas holidays for us. I stopped dancing on Dec 16th and don't go back again until Summer School for five days the week prior to going full-time (this is excluding one private lesson in the time period) at the very end of Jan. The last time I did any intensive training a year ago so when the possibility of another four day Summer School came up I was really keen. My parents both work, and I have been working part-time as well but they have to pay for all my dance next year and accomodation next year, about Au$20000. I also have two other brothers. My parents keep telling me the Summer School is not neccessary etc. etc. but when I did Summer School last year I improved so much and because I've done so little intensive training and I'm already so old I keep feeling more and more disadvanged and discouraged... wondering how on earth am I meant to ever "make it" when I can't do little extras to make the big difference. My parents did ask the advice of a well-known ballet teacher who said that the second Summer School wasn't important and it may be better to rest up before going full-time but I can't understand this viewpoint. I thought the more intensive the training the better... please let me know your viewpoint. I am happy to let the Summer School go if it's for the best, but otherwise I'm not. I'm just getting less and less confident about ever getting an edge up on those who have been training since they were five! I would also like to know how much you recommend practise at home and how beneficial it is.

Thanks for your time.

Edited January 6, 2006 by BalletBuzz

[Mel Johnson]

I can't recommend home practice. It is unsupervised work which can easily become a rehearsal of mistakes, therefore counterproductive. It sounds as though you want to pursue ballet as a vocation, so while two or three weeks off occasionally is a good idea, six is too much. It's only four days, but that's an important difference from no class at all before you return. My suggestion is to pick up classes however you can until Summer School.

[Victoria Leigh]

Hello BalletBuzz, welcome to the Young Dancers' Forum here on Ballet Talk for Dancers Glad you were finally able to register.

 

I agree totally with Mr. Johnson. You need constant classes, with very few, and short breaks. Summer schools here are generally 5 or 6 weeks. Do try to find some classes between now and your one week program! You've already been off way long enough.