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Summer Programs 2015
Summer Programs 2015
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22 S OUTH F INLEY A VENUE , B ASKING R IDGE , NJ 07920 908.766.1871 kimdial@yahoo.com ! # $ " $ % $ # $ " ! ! DANCE CENTER OF NEW JERSEY 88 Claremont Road Bernardsville, NJ 07924 908-229-4204 By: Karen Verso Owner/Executive Director The month of June ushers in summer, a time of respite for students from their academic responsibil-i
ties, and a time when many youngsters try some- thing new and different. But for most serious ath-l
etes it is time to increase the commitment to their chosen activity. With the cost of higher education continuing to rise, more parents are looking to find an activity in which their child will excel hoping to capture one of the coveted scholarships offered that can greatly reduce the cost of a college education. Consequently, this has marked the rise in the num- ber of intensives, clinics and camps offered in sports, academics, music, art, and dance. Most local dance schools offer summer camps and intensives. However, many regular students attend one of the highly advertised big name inten- sives offered throughout the country, and there are many to choose from. Each year my husband and I, both former professional dancers, are asked for our recommendations for summer intensives programs. Over the years many of our students have attended a vast array of programs located all over the U.S. and Canada. Without a doubt, every student who has attended one of these big name programs will echo words of praise for their experience. The ben- efit of these programs is the chance to study with a variety of teachers and to experience some inde- pendence. The most popular summer intensives offer exactly that. Many offer field trips to see dance performances, an important aspect of a good edu- cation in dance that surprisingly many dance stu- dents today lack. But, summer intensives have become pricier with each passing year. Though they tout the special Guest Artists they employ, usually only the highestl
evel students are allowed access to take class with these instructors. As well, despite a professional fac- ulty, it is my observation that most dancers fail to demonstrate significant improvement from their time away. How is it that these dancers can work from 9:00 to 5:00 or later Monday through Friday with a half day on Saturday for a month or more and return with less than remarkable results? After several years of encour- aging our dancers to attend these coveted programs, we asked ourselves that same question. In many summer intensives students are placedi
n classes with 30 other students or more. Though this is quite a bit smaller than a professional open class in New York, in a group that size it is likely thatl
imited individual correction would be garnered. In fact, it is easy for students to be overlooked in a class this size. In these large highly attended pro- grams the regular faculty are given several levels to teach with the good intention of providing each stu- dent with the opportunity to study with several newi
nstructors. Even in programs that limit class size, the best teachers will not really get to know a stu- dent till the program is nearly complete because they have so many students. Corrections tend to be general in nature and rarely directed at a specific dancer. And since faculty members do not know the individual students and their shortcomings, students often do not spend time on the specific issues that most need work. As well, the faculty at these programs are mostly professional dancers, but most have limited, or no experience teaching students. For this reason, the faculty are successful in working with the dancers that already have developed a proficient ballet tech- nique, but are a bit stumped on how to help students who are still learning how to execute the steps. Furthermore, nearly every program includes a final performance. Though parents enjoy seeing their child perform, the time it takes to assemble a show is time not spent on improving technique: the one area that will ensure a dancer's progress. In order to safeguard sufficient time for rehearsal of the final workshop piece, most programs forgo a second daily technique class. In fact, teachers in these situations tend to teach to the show; if they have choreographed a piece that utilizes waltzing and adagio movement, then these are what they will predominately work on in class. So what can a parent do to make the best use of the valuable summer months? Most parents already know the areas in which their dancer needs to progress. Is modern your dancer’s shortcoming? Larger dance schools connected with professional companies, vocational schools and colleges often have the strongest modern programs; some offer open classes and others summer programs. If your dancer needs improvement in ballet tech- nique, look for a school that has a strong ballet pro- gram and find a teacher who is proficient in teach- ing technique and alignment. Secure a series of pri- vate lessons. Private lessons are pricey, but are worth the expense if they can help your dancer make significant progress in the course of a few short weeks. If in doubt, consider how much money you have spent in the past on overpriced summer intensives. Be sure to ask for an assessment. Teachers can and should be able to take you through a shortened class and in that time identify areas of weakness. It will also give your dancer an opportunity to evaluate the instructor to determine if he or is suited to help them. Do they communicate the problem and the solution well? Do they give the dancer easy to fol- low instructions to make improvements? If you are not satisfied, try another coach or studio. If a teacher can give you a correction that immediately garners some results in an assessment class, that is a strong indicator of someone worth studying with. Cross training is another area that strengthens students and completes the dancer. Pilates, yoga, or stretch and conditioning classes are extremely valu- able and can help develop strength and stamina, necessary components of a successful professional. You don’t have to go far to get a new perspec- tive. Look at other dance studios in the area and consider their intensive. Look for small class sizes – the attention your child receives is sure to impact what they achieve. Perhaps it is worth taking class at a variety of studios over the summer. Do you homework and put together your own summer intensive. Edward and Karen Verso are former profession- al dancers who have appeared as principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey, Twyla Tharp, New Jersey Ballet among others and have toured extensively throughout the US, Europe, South America and Asia. The own and operate the Dance Center of NJ in Bernardsville. For more details, see ad or visit their website at DCNJdance.com. ADVICE FOR DANCE PARENTS Come join us for an exciting adventure through God’s desert world. Students will be amazed to discover and learn about God’s awesome desert creatures – where they live, what they eat, and how they interact with people. Live animals will visit and play with us! IMPORTANT THINGS! For students ages 3-7 Cost is $150 one week $275 for two weeks 10% off second child Fee is non-refundable. EACH DAY: Drop off by 9:00am Pick up by 12:00pm promptly A n i m a l s o f t h e D e s e r t July 6 - 10 • July 13 - 17 9am - 12pm Bishop Janes United Methodist Church 22 South Finley Avenue Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 KIM DIAL Director of Children & Family Ministry Bishop Janes UMC PO Box 383, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 kimdial@yahoo.com 908-766-1108 X5