ABT Creates a Unique Summer Program
It was a great summer," says Franco De Vita, principal of American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, "I can hardly wait for the next one." Although most studios throughout the country have classes for very young dancers, ABT instituted a unique and enviable 2-week Young Dancer Summer Workshop for student's 9-11years old, in addition to its Elementary 12-14, Intermediate 14-16, and Advanced 15-18 programs. Under the direction of Cecchetti licentiate De Vita, the 48 young enrollees in the Young Dancer Summer Workshop, selected by audition, studied July 31 to August 11, from 9 a.m. to 2. p.m., at academy-level technique and were offered subjects on an age- appropriate level to expand their knowledge of dance. ABT canvassed 25 states to provide the opportunity for students to enter their programs.
"Our mission," says De Vita, "is to produce superb dancers who have no technical limitations and are sensitive to different qualities of movement necessary to correctly execute the classical, neoclassical and contemporary vocabularies of dance...dancers who are strong, supple and who dance without affectation. I think all methodologies have the same goal, the process may be different but all have something important to contribute. We keep an open mind. And we work with the talent of the student, not just the body. Probably the most outstanding error is in giving a student material for which he or she has not had sufficient foundation."
The young dancer workshop includes a pre-pointe class to strengthen the metatarsals and legs; a technique class for boy's; character class for both to emphasize the importance of épaulement and changes of rhythms and spirit. There are excerpts of mime from the classical repertoire to instill an awareness of interaction with other characters on stage. And a necessity--class etiquette--that points out the importance or being ready when class begins by standing at the barre ready to work and not sitting on the floor. Manners and dressing neatly and correctly for class are important and are instilled at an early age. "It was so beautiful to see the students develop almost every day as they began to understand and show pleasure in discovering their possibilities to become part of the dance world," added De Vita. "Although I am considered incredibly strict, we smiled and laughed a lot together."
Before the first technique class, De Vito talked with parents about what to expect during the course. "For the youngest group, most of the work is facing the barre with an emphasis on placement to make sure the body is held square in all movements. This approach may seem stiff and unexpressive, but it is through correctness that the beauty of the body's line can be seen. Correct habits and correct execution of even the simplest steps, especially at the beginning level, gives the dancer a basis for executing whatever future choreographers might demand.
"Center work makes clear that there are 8 corners of the room that present clear and clean lines of the body. When I ask for a croisée devant position, there should not be a blank stare or a quick look into the mirror to see if anyone knows what corner of the room that position faces. Knowing terminology is very important since it saves time and confusion in class and rehearsals and presents a pose at its most beautiful aspect. It is part of our history. Center work continues with basic steps, jumps and combinations with preparation for tours and ends with révérance."
Were the parents pleased with the contents of the class? Yes, except for one parent who wanted to know why more difficult steps were not included in a combination as it was in the home studio. De Vito explained that there is a sequence in the vocabulary of steps taught as a syllabus and that at this stage, without the proper preparation, harm might be done. "An incorrect execution of a step is harder to correct later than earlier."
ABT, in total attracted 19 boys, and 155 for the summer courses, no doubt because of the high level of technique in artists of the main company. Last season, the United States Congress honored ABT as "America's National Ballet Company." The opportunity of becoming a member of ABT's Studio Company, which has led young dancers into the main company and other companies throughout the country, has attracted deserved attention.
Enrollment into all the divisions is by auditions that take place throughout the country. A photo with the student dancer in First Arabesque is requires and a videotape as application is acceptable in certain circumstances as are scholarships based on need.
The dates for all the auditions are currently on ABT's website. The Young Dancer Summer Workshop dates are:
January 7
New York, NY
Sunday
American Ballet Theatre
890 Broadway, 3rd Fl
(212) 477-3030 x3416
3pm 9-10; 4pm 10-11
January 13
Los Angeles, CA
Saturday
Debbie Allen Dance Academy,
Culver City
3623 Hayden Ave.
(310) 280-9145
10am 9-11
January 14
Mission Viejo, CA
Sunday
West Coast Dance Academy
25732 Taladro Circle
(949) 829-5911
11am 9-11
January 27
Boston, MA
Saturday
Boston Ballet School
19 Clarendon St.
(617) 695-6950
2:30pm 9-11
February 4
Washington, DC
Sunday
American Dance Institute,
Rockville, MD
1570 E. Jefferson St.
(301) 984-3003
1pm 9-11
Registration will begin one hour prior to the class.
ABT program information is available at www.abt.org/education/appinfo.asp. Fax number: 212-419-396 or e-mail, summerintensive@abt.org.
The American Ballet Theatre School is at 890 Broadway, NY New York, 10003.