DanceSupplies Ambassador Abigail Newcomb is an aspiring ballerina who has attended numerous summer intensives, including Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, The Rock, Next Generation Ballet, Annarella, Kaatsbaan, and others.
"So You’re Going to a Summer Intensive… Part 2"
Your bags are packed and you are counting down the days until your summer intensive begins. Maybe you are excited, maybe you are nervous - no matter how you are feeling, you are going to have an amazing time. You will be challenged, both physically and mentally, but you will grow in ways you could never imagine. Summer intensives aren’t just about dance - they are a unique experience combining hard work, independence and unforgettable memories. Whether it is your first intensive or you are a seasoned veteran, here are some tips and tricks to surviving your summer.
Placement, Levels and The First Week
The first few days of a summer intensive can be, well, intense. There is usually a placement class on the first day which can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety. I always tell myself that the placement class is just like any other class. I secure my bun, wear my lucky leotard (I always wear my black Nikolay Charlotte leotard), eat a good breakfast, and get to class early to stretch. I won’t lie, I have been elated by my level at some intensives and I have been disappointed by my level at others. You may be the best dancer at your home studio, but summer intensives are a whole new world. They are filled with amazing dancers from all over the world, which can definitely be intimidating. Remember, you are there to improve your technique and work on yourself. You will learn no matter what level you are placed in. If you are upset about your placement, take a minute to be sad, then regroup and remember your why. You will get out of the intensive what you put into it - whether you are in the lowest level or the highest!
Dorm Life
Even for the most extroverted dancers, dorm life can be overwhelming. Suddenly sharing a room or suite with strangers can be scary and intimidating. Many ballet dancers are shy and quiet (I know I am). My biggest piece of advice to surviving dorm life is to be yourself. You won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and that is okay. If you have room in your suitcase, bring a few small games and some coloring books and colored pencils to share with your roommates. They can be great ice breakers. Sharable snacks are also a great way to break the ice on that first night. And, if allowed, bring a laptop computer or iPad - it is amazing how much roommate bonding can be done over a scary movie or a cheesy reality show!
Schedule Survival
Depending on your intensive, you may have a main teacher each day or you may have different teachers throughout your weeks there. Your intensive may focus solely on ballet or there may be classes in other disciplines. My first ever summer intensive had a mandatory flamenco class, which I was dreading. It ended up being an amazing class taught by an incredible teacher. No matter what your schedule looks like, keep an open mind. Your schedule may have less pointe or partnering than you expected, but it is important to trust the process. Have faith in the teachers and administration that you were placed correctly and that you will improve no matter what classes are on your schedule.
If your schedule includes optional classes - TAKE THEM! You may be exhausted and the last thing you want to do is take an extra class, especially when other dancers are slipping out the door and heading back to the dorms. But at the end of the day, you are there to dance. Optional classes are a great way to be seen by faculty, especially if you are hoping for a year round offer! Finally, if your days have long breaks, make sure to bring enough snacks and water to fuel your body. Summer is hot everywhere, and many studios do not have air conditioning. Hydration is key to surviving long days. Some intensives have recovery equipment like massage guns and compression boots that you can use during your breaks. If your intensive offers these perks, take advantage! Keeping your muscles warm is important during those long breaks. I always keep my Aluvie Bee Legwarmers in my bag because even on the hottest days, my leg muscles cool down quickly.
Taking Care of Yourself
Summer intensive schedules can be a lot, even for the most serious of dancers. Taking care of yourself is important to prevent illness and injury while away from home. I am a picky eater so I often find it difficult to properly fuel my body at summer intensives. Having snacks and easy to prepare meals in your room is key to surviving intense summer training. Down time is also important during summer intensives. After a long day of training, it is okay to let yourself rest in the evening and on the weekends. Sometimes we feel pressured to attend every outing or excursion, but listen to your body. If it is telling you to skip the Sunday trip to the beach, skip it! Your body will thank you later.
Auditions, Acceptances and Rejections
If your summer intensive is associated with a ballet school, they may hold auditions during the intensive for their year round program. Even if you are not interested in the year round program, go to the audition. Auditions are a great way to be seen, learn more about a program, and, most importantly, auditions are a great way to practice auditioning! You only get so many opportunities to audition during the year, so it is important to take any chance you can to take an audition class.
Unfortunately, with every audition comes the possibility of a rejection. Rejection is hard, especially if friends or roommates get an acceptance. If you audition and you do not get an acceptance, do not be hard on yourself. It is simply not the right time, or the right program for you. I once went to a summer intensive that held an audition for year round - but did not have any open spots in their program. Sometimes it is simply a numbers game. Be kind to yourself and be proud of yourself for trying!
On the other hand, you may get an acceptance, and if that happens, congratulations! Being invited for year round training is a huge accomplishment and it means that you really impressed the faculty and staff during your intensive. Even if you are not in a position to accept the offer, enjoy the moment. Acceptances to a year round program are a huge confidence boost which can help propel you into your next season.
If you are considering accepting your offer, especially if the year round program is not local to you, these decisions should be made only after doing tons of research and, of course, discussing with your family. No matter what happens this summer, remember that you are on your own dance journey.
Some days will feel amazing while others test your confidence and resilience. Stay focused on your goals, challenge yourself, fuel your body, say “hi” to the dancer sitting alone, and make the most of every moment. Years from now you won’t remember every correction you received this summer, but you will remember people you met and how much you grew - as a person, and as a dancer!
Abigail Newcomb
@abby_dancer_official