The Summer Dance Intensive Handbook: How to Choose the Best Program for Your Child and Help Your Dancer Get the Most Out of the Experience

The Summer Dance Intensive Handbook

How to Choose the Best Program for Your Child and Help Your Dancer Get the Most Out of the Experience

Nina Amir

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright (c) 2011 by Nina Amir

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PUBLISHED BY:

Nina Amir on Smashwords

The Summer Dance Intensive Handbook

How to Choose the Best Program for Your Child

and Help Your Dancer Get the Most Out of the Experience

Cover image from Witthayap & Dreamstime.com

Cover by Joleene Naylor

Ebook Formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

For information on the author or to contact her, please visit:

www.ninaamir.com

or

www.mysoncandance.com

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Acknowledgements

I'm forever grateful to:

Rasta Thomas, who is always so forthcoming with information and willing to help dancers in whatever way he can. Thanks for always picking up the phone and calling to answer my numerous questions. You are a true professional and mentor.

All the teachers at the Ballet San Jose, Teen Dance Company, American Ballet Theatre, School of American Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet summer intensives who, to date, have given Julian such great summer dance intensive experiences. Without you, he would not be where he is today.

My husband, Ron, who has made it possible for my son to attend summer intensives—and for me to chaperone him when necessary. Your support of our son's dancing has helped him succeed thus far.

My daughter, Ariel, who was willing to do without me while I took her brother off to New York two summers in a row.

My son, Julian, for taking me on a dancing journey with him. It's a thrill to see you grow as a dancer and to experience the world of dance with you. I will forever cherish the memories of our summers in New York.

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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Summer Dance Intensive Program

How to Register for a Summer Dance Intensive

What to Bring to a Summer Dance Intensive

How to Prepare for a Summer Dance Intensive

How to Stay Healthy and Strong During a Summer Dance Intensive

How Dancers Should Conduct Themselves During a Summer Dance Intensive

What to Consider When Attending the ABT Summer Dance Intensive in New York City

Conclusion

About Nina Amir

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How to Choose a Summer Dance Intensive Program

If you are thinking of sending your son or daughter to a summer dance intensive, let me start by saying, Congratulations! Although this may feel like a hard decision to make, know that allowing your dancer to attend a summer dance program likely will be one of the best decisions you make for your child's dance career and education.

For my son, Julian, who is now 18 and dancing as an apprentice for a European company, the four summers he spent at residential summer intensives not only made him a better dancer but broadened his outlook on dance in general, changed his daily dance work ethic, strengthened his commitment to and love for his art form, and offered him new connections in the dance world. Although he gave up other things that were important to him to spend his summers dancing, he never once regretted his decision. Each time your son makes this same decision, it can only advance him further toward his goal of becoming a professional dancer.

Every child—every dancer—is different, but most dancers find