It seems far away in the current moment, but summer will soon arrive as the sun hopefully warms up. It’s an ideal time for dancers when schools close for the summer break, to look further afield for programmes to enhance their training and experience in the dance world. But with such variety on offer, what should you look for and where should you apply?
Here, in one handy place, is a run-down of some major players in the summer intensive world, and what they’re offering you this year.
Some questions to ask yourself before applying: What are you looking for in a summer school? To experience a broader range of genres, or to intensify and accelerate your training in one specific area? Are you looking for a summer of fun, indulging your love of dance, or wanting to get serious and prepare for auditions and fulltime training? Do you want to board – or would day courses suit you better? Is local preferable, or happy to travel? And price range – is there a budget?
Once you’ve made some notes, we’re ready to dive in!
Yorkshire Ballet Summer Residential is held annually in July and August in Harrowgate, North Yorkshire. It is aimed at dancers aged nine through 20, and residential and non-residential options are available. Dancers can expect to be taught by industry experts in major ballet companies and will take part in a variety of classes including classical ballet, pointe work and contemporary. For more, head to www.ybss.co.uk.
The London Children’s Ballet (LCB), based in Battersea, provides an opportunity for dancers aged nine through 14 to take part in one to two weeks of non-residential inspiring dance training in July, ending in performance, when they will perform LCB repertoire, plus work from the summer school week. They are open to all with no audition required, and previous years have welcomed performers from West End shows who have taught repertoire straight from the stage. There is also a separate boys intensive at the end of August for ages nine to 12. Full and half grants are available to apply for. Classes include daily ballet class, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre and pointe, and all programmes reflect LCB’s core values — emphasising artistry, creativity and performance. Visit www.londonchildrensballet.com for more information.
Summer Courses at the Central School of Ballet is one of a number of courses offered throughout the year, offering one or two weeks between 24 July – 5 August for dancers aged 11-16. Prices start at £500 for a week. Dancers will experience the life of a fulltime dance student in Central’s professional facilities. Daily ballet classes from tutors who lead the school’s degree course classes are on the agenda, as well as a variety of guest teachers delivering jazz, contemporary and Pilates classes. Dancers will also enjoy a creative choreography workshop. Application photographs are required, and there’s a minimum standard of training for different age groups. Read more at www.centralschoolofballet.co.uk.
With such a choice on offer, it can be useful to have recommendations.
Laila White, 18, has attended several summer schools, including online with The Royal Ballet School during lockdown, Cecchetti Summer School, Tring Park Summer Dance Course, and Summer Courses at Central School of Ballet.
“My most recent summer school was at Tring Park,” White explains. “I enjoyed training in multiple dance styles throughout the course – disciplines I have done before and styles that were new to me, such as hip hop and street. I really enjoyed trying something new and making many new friends while I was there. The teachers were incredible, and learning from them helped me gain experience with different choreography. I would definitely recommend attending a dance summer school to dancers who want to get some extra training and have the chance to be taught by new teachers. It’s a great way to improve your dance in a chosen style, or to learn something new.”
Tring Park this year is offering a range of summer courses from £457 for a week, across July and August, in acting, dance, musical theatre and commercial music. Learn what life at Tring Park is like at these residential courses and work with industry professionals in daily workshops. Evening activities are also provided, and pastoral helpers are on site. At the end of your summer school, there will be an informal performance to showcase your skills! Their website offers answers to lots of FAQ: www.tringpark.com.
Attending summer school is an insightful way to discover if a career in dance is something you definitely want to chase. Particularly those courses who are offering a fulltime dance experience.
The summer break is long, and summer classes are a great way to ensure you maintain and even improve your technique. There’s benefit in being taught by different teachers who may have different views or offer corrections differently.
Perhaps your love is dance and the performing arts, but you’re also interested in exploring other aspects of it?
BRIT Summer Croydon offers holiday clubs that 100 percent of parents would recommend to friends! There are two weeks available from 28 July, with a sizable discount offered for those booking onto two weeks. Attendees choose either a Performing Arts pathway, or a Creative Media one. Or perhaps attend both weeks and do one of each! Creative Media consists of classes in photography, art, digital design and film-making, fashion and textiles. You can learn more at www.brit.croydon.sch.uk.
Emilia Phillips, 14, enjoyed attending Malvern Summer School last summer.
“My favourite part of Malvern was the atmosphere,” she says. “Everyone was so kind and hard-working; it really made me push myself. Also, the guest teachers were so helpful, and I feel that they tailored their corrections to each person. Something they specifically helped me with was trusting myself more. This meant I was able to do more pirouettes and sustain my leg in adage. I would recommend Malvern to others because it’s a very welcoming atmosphere and a great place to grow.”
Malvern Ballet Seminars offer a residential and day-student Ballet Course held in Leicestershire in August, hoping to attract students from all backgrounds aged from nine to professional level, to come and share their passion for dance. Prices are £490pw for day students and £650 residential. Students will be taught by former Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Ballet dancers. Learn more at www.malvernballetseminars.co.uk.
The Royal Ballet School offers summer intensive programmes between one to two weeks for ages 10-19 across July and August. Photographs are required for the application process, and successful applicants can attend as a residential or non-residential student. Classes are taught by Royal Ballet artistic faculty and take place at the historic White Lodge in Richmond Park. Dancers can expect classes in character, contemporary, Pilates and repertoire, as well as classical ballet. Visit www.royalballetschool.org.uk for more information.
For a five-day non-audition musical theatre intensive for ages 16-21, look at Urdang’s innovative Musical Theatre and Dance course which is designed to prepare students for success at Higher Education training institutions. The non-residential week in July costs £460 and will consist of a timetable of musical theatre and dance classes with industry experts, leading to ‘Full Out Friday’ where students can showcase their abilities. Head to urdang.citystgeorges.ac.uk for more details.
Performers College invites applicants to ‘Unleash your creativity, master new skills and take your first steps into the performing arts industry.’ Enrol for the popular one-week Summer School for ages 12-18 priced at £430 and get an idea of life at fulltime college. Applicants are advised to have some prior dance experience, and the week will culminate in performance. Classes include West End workshop, musical theatre, singing and dance classes of different disciplines. You can choose campuses in Birmingham, Brighton, Essex and Manchester. Check out www.performerscollege.co.uk for more.
Sometimes the deeper the research, the harder it is to choose with so much on offer! There are plenty more schools and colleges offering summer experiences than those mentioned here. Enjoy the research (but beware some courses fill up extremely early!), the final decision, the wonderful summer experience, the stories you’ll tell afterwards, and the memories you’ll hold forever!
By Louise Ryrie of Dance Informa.
