Summer Intensive Programs: Let's do the numbers

Every year, thousands of ballet dancers audition for summer intensive programs across the world. We at Dance Channel TV wanted to know what the benefits of these summer programs are and how they compare to their financial costs. So, we interviewed professional dancers, teachers, and students. Here is what they had to say...

[@anjuliambani5835]

Just a few minutes in, and Nader Hamed said that in the Summer Intensive Programs he's done, he's "seen very few girls make progress" That's not a very good endorsement for such an expensive program :-/

[@consueloperez7578]

I was a dancer myself and had 3 Dancers in my family. I will say that due to the cost of these summer programs it is wise to consider how worth it is going to be. If it will end up to be a huge financial sacrifice then consider if the child is "professional" material. Speak to your local ballet teacher about it. They can only help so much as it is only 4-6 weeks. This is not enough to make a big difference. However the points picked from other teachers it will help if the child is willing to use them throughout the year.

[@kthananan]

The woman said "got scholarship everywhere I went"..... what a brag. Her technique is so poor it's sad.

[@gitrdunnn]

the mother who has the daughter in LA sounds very supportive and nurturing yet still teaches her daughter to be self sufficient. great job i wish i had a ballet mom!

[@RomyMacias]

I agree. Leaving home, even if it's only for the summer is part of the maturing process as a dancer and as a person!

[@fredrika27]

Depending on the course, a summer intensive program cost anywhere from $500 for a few days to over $10,000 for several months. An elite program costs money. This means parents and dancers must be prepared to invest. Unless parents/guardian are well healed, students must begin to seek support at least 1-2 years before entry into the program. Students who are not "gifted" must think seriously about what they want for their future. Unless they want to teach, it does not make sense to pay a fortune.

[@GotTutus2011]

I received many of scholarships from many schools, but sometimes even just a few hundred dollars can make it cost to much.

[@samiq1998lovedogs]

I would love to attend a summer program. If any one know about a begginer program please tell me!

[@jillybean842000]

this is true dancing these people work real hard

[@mews7854]

I've danced for 11 years.... But I have taken 3 years off because my dad Lost his job ( he has gotten it back tho ) and I have been waiting 11 years to go on point but the year I was I had to quit cause of the job loss.nand I keep begging my mom to put me back in but she hasn't :(

[@waleeper]

You should talk to the studio, not a guarantee, but some offer scholarships for dancers that are financially stressed. As a parent I can say it takes a long time to recover from a financial hardship.

[@mews7854]

Ya, I danced with a studio for 5 years then moved on to others, and I'm trying to back to the one I started with for the 5 years... But my parents divorced and my mom dosent have a lot of money :/

[@BillyElliottDMT]

+MEWS... Then I share William Leeper 's sentiment that you talk to a few schools and explain ur situation. (and you don't have anything to lose, so. . . ) It demonstrates you are are eager to learn. And I'd be delighted to have a student like that in my classes. The fact that the desire is SO pronounced, means that; at least for now tht's wht you're meant to be doing . Lastly, offer to work/trade for classes as well. Maybe you work the front desk, teach lwr levels, or milk the "cash-cow" that is a babysitting gig at a dance studio. In any case, I wish you all the best!

[@broadwaynballet]

I think it really depends on where you study year round, how good you already are, and how focused/driven you are.

[@mydancetv]

Smart mom at 7:16 and there are always teachers that say DON'T go away =) I think the experience is worth it.

[@Charlestonian2b]

Thank you, Dance Channel TV. So very helpful:)

[@theprettyrichfag]

nikki gave the most incredible advice.... thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@Dwightinho56]

You will never be good if you go for the "brand" names only. A much better investment to attend a summerschool or course where you have the chance to be seen an get personally instructed through that short period.

[@xxmeaganchestonxx]

If you are talented enough, you could receive a merit based scholarship, or you can apply for financial need.

[@lovesnsd09]

it's a good video very helpful

[@johnloring3887]

If I had the money, I'd give it all to dancers who are in need.

[@LilithSterninCrane]

There are always scholarships you can audition for! Maybe there are also other resources for you. I know in a town near me, you can apply to a programme that helps kids in the town do extracurricular activities at a lower cost.

[@GotTutus2011]

I Posted that comments a year ago. And in the past year I have been offered many scholarships from PNB, OBS, and many others. I attended OBS this past summer on Full Scholarship ^_^ Thank you

[@emilyfowler4617]

Wait do you mean Quenedit Ballet School that is my ballet school were you in level 5?

[@jamessudbury6006]

i used to play for westside ballet

[@triplightfantastic]

great video!

[@porsharobinson463]

I see my ballerinas school in this video!!!! PNB 🩰. Summer intensives are so important to keep up the dancers training and staying in shape. A dancer should always go somewhere that will challenge them and for training they can’t necessarily get at their own studio/school. My dancer has trained with some of the top summer intensives, and has grown and worked hard.

[@BallerinaTwinkleToes]

Going to elmhurst so excited!

[@DanceChannelTV]

Tell us if you are still dancing after 9 years?

[@GotTutus2011]

I Wish i could go to a summer intensive =(

[@TrishaCeline]

I just wish I had the money to pay. The problem is my parents are not into ballet like me and so they want me to focus more on academics than on what I really want to do in life.

[@Ravioliiii333]

Can't wait for summer intensive a

[@dance6198]

I went to the joffrey ballet summer intesive program and you dont need money if you are good enough you can win the scholarship

[@passionatelifestyledanceco1202]

idk why but i couldnt relpy to the comments below but misty copeland worked her butt off to get where she is she didnt only rely on race. and it think you should read her autobiography before you go jumping to conclusions

[@Saraandoliver95]

Russia is in Asia, a part of it is also in Europe. So depending on which part of Russia the Kirov and Mariinsky are in it could actually not be in Europe.

[@shoika6]

same! which one?

[@GotTutus2011]

Money.

[@VIXEN-nw4yu]

Are there any Summer Intensive programs for BEGINNERS? If I start in January and keep dancing once a week (thats the most I can do?) are there any ballet summer programs for me? I'm 12 years old btw.

[@QueenAlyssaRose]

+VIXEN depends where you live, like I heard Ballet Austin has good beginner drop in classes and intensives. But just google beginner ballet intensives for teens in your area and I'm sure you'll find some!

[@irmaktuncbilek5910]

It will be beter for you to go twice a week or 3 days in a week. Because you will have so many things to learn :))

[@nerdycats]

+VIXEN keep to local ones. However, make your teacher aware of your goal so they can help you :3.

[@jamielaw4749]

Yes!!! If there aren't any more auditions in your area, try talking to your teacher to help you make an audition video for schools that are still accepting. For many schools, if you are at the age of 12 or under, you don't need to know much ballet to be accepted. They look to see if you can dance to the music and enjoy dancing. The National Ballet School of Canada will accept some students 12 and under who have little experience for example. Also, try to take multiple ballet classes a week as soon as you can, or it might be too late to become a professional dancer if you wait a few years. Try to find a studio that offers more ballet. If you can't, find jazz classes, gymnastics, take as many dance classes as you can :) if you have anymore ballet questions you should read the website "ballet talk for dancers" or dancersinvisionzone

[@VIXEN-nw4yu]

Kelsey Liu thank you so much!

[@Kahnny13]

I think the English National Ballet has one

[@kathymyers7279]

Geeze that guy was really down on them.

[@inesdecastrocorreia]

I live in Europe, so I basically can only go to paris opera, bolshoi or royal, which is super hard!! Because it's really difficult to get in and the fees are just .....!!!! Such a shame...

[@DanceChannelTV]

Tell us if you are still dancing after 9 years?

[@shoika6]

I went too!

[@katherinecourtney8225]

Canada !!

[@johnloring3887]

Gotta love these dancers dedication. They'd rather be sweating in tights and leotards in a studio instead of wearing bikinis on the beach.

[@alix5704]

the repeated piano chords in the background got very annoying. Other than that, it is a helpful video.

[@69for5dollah]

im going to ABT this summer!

[@DanceChannelTV]

Tell us if you are still dancing after 9 years?

[@kekemcfootz6705]

I got in abt Detroit

[@Yoyoiiii]

Hi, I am a Chinese student and I am studying in the US. I a 18 right now and I've been dancing from 4 to 11 and I was on pointe for at least 3 years. I got accepted by Shanghai professional ballet school but didn't go because I wanted to keep it as a hobby and still focus on study at school. But I had to stop because of injury at the age 11 and I picked it up at 17... I am currently dancing in my high school dance company. Do you accommodate students like me? Thank you!!!

[@thealexandracute]

I want to audition and it said I need a resume what and where can I get it

[@Danceheart109]

you write your own..you can google what to put on a dance resume if you don't know

[@69for5dollah]

New york :)

[@annaliese9453]

Very few?

[@LeeBeeDeeTree51]

I guess being blonde helps when your goal is to be a professional ballet dancer.

[@valuecalc]

S Lewis, I think that's true. Dance is like any visual medium as far as appearances go.

[@delilahmaud]

Dammit I'm a brunette😂

[@valuecalc]

Delilah Tordoff, you can do well, too.

[@valuecalc]

*****, everyone loves a blonde girl with white skin.

[@valuecalc]

Melody, no one is insulting anyone here. Yet, it is true that brunettes are prevalent in ballet as you said.

[@thealexandracute]

Pls reply I need to know I know you need the audition fee and arabesque and head shot

[@kajsak2400]

It's basically just a regular technique class and you go early to sign in and everything. Not all require an arabesque shot, some just want a headshot and some may want more. Most schools have websites that you can look at so you can find out if they have anymore information on what they require at the audition. I hope this helped :)

[@GlitterAtNight13]

Aww why can't you?

[@DFSLana1]

What are you talking about??? The European Part of Russia Continue all the way to Ural Mountains and border of Kazakhstan. Do you have any idea of Geography? Chek the map, it is easy!

[@shoika6]

royal ballet, but its enormously hard and selective

[@jonathanmartinez6732]

xde

[@MsPatricia993]

Omg :O I'm poor. I don't have money! Help me! D: lol

[@jaboos03]

Showoff

[@passionatelifestyledanceco1202]

idk why but i couldnt relpy to the comments below but misty copeland worked her butt off to get where she is she didnt only rely on race. and it think you should read her autobiography before you go jumping to conclusions