How to Survive a Virtual Summer Intensive, A Guide
DENVER, CO (May 28, 2020) – The Raydean Acevedo Colorado Ballet Academy (CBA) will offer its Summer Intensive (SI) program virtually from June 22 – August 1. Directed by former American Ballet Theatre dancers Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner, CBA’s SI will enable students to learn, find balance and grow while connecting with a community of inspiring instructors and dancers.
“Students can find the perfect balance of training and artistic growth in our virtual SI,” states Colorado Ballet Academy Director Erica Fischbach. “We are focused on building strong, artistic dancers with a positive self-esteem and an inner drive to persevere and strive for excellence.”
Students who are thinking about signing-up for a virtual summer program can rest assured they will thrive with Colorado Ballet’s Exclusive Survival Guide, curated by CBA’s SI directors, instructors and students.
With a commitment to offer students an interactive and enriching Virtual Summer Intensive, Colorado Ballet Academy staff completely revised their program by reducing tuition and modifying the schedule to ensure an optimal virtual experience. Additionally, they opened SI registration to all ballet students seeking a summer intensive experience, regardless of their original audition status.
Watch this video of CBA’s beautiful SI students and learn more.
To further elevate this summer’s virtual SI, Colorado Ballet’s artistic leaders, including Artistic Director Gil Boggs as well as Ballet Mistresses Sandra Brown, Maria Mosina and Lorita Travaglia, will teach alongside John Gardner, Amanda McKerrow and CBA staff to provide an extremely special training experience.
Training with CBA this summer is a great opportunity for aspiring professional dancers. Many students chosen for CBA’s Pre-Professional Division (PPD) have attended the Academy’s SI, and several PPD students are hired directly into Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company each year.
CBA’s SUMMER INTENSIVE
June 22 – August 1, 2020
Ages 11 – 20, on pointe, no audition required
Contact summerintensive@coloradoballet.org
Under the direction of Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner, Colorado Ballet Academy offers a Virtual Summer Intensive designed for students intermediate through pre-professional levels. Our students from around the country will be able to take level-specific classes in ballet technique, pointe, men’s conditioning and technique, repertoire, creative choreography, modern, jazz and conditioning for dancers. Additionally, we plan to have some surprise guests joining us for Career Talks and Interactive Virtual Conversations. Learn more and register.
Excerpt from Colorado Ballet’s Exclusive SI Survival Guide (view the full guide online)
How can you stay safe while training at home?
From the Instructors: “Be aware of your body alignment and stay sensitive to injuries in this new environment.” – Amanda and John.
Safety is important in taking care of your body while training at home. Make smart choices and adjust to space limitations, varying floor surfaces and what you use as a barre.
What should students do daily to take care of their bodies and minds?
From the Instructors: “Sleep, eat well and surround yourself with friends (virtually) that make you feel good about yourself and motivate you.” – Erica.
Set aside time every day to warm up before class, cool down after class, roll out sore muscles and visualize corrections. It’s also important to acknowledge what you did well, what you need to work on and set goals for the next day. Find other supportive activities that align and strengthen your body such as Pilates or Gyro. Listen to your body and address recurring pain or potential injuries with consistency and discipline. Lastly, have some fun! As the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine.
From the Students: “I do some form of exercise every day. If I don't want to do a ballet class 6 days a week, then I'll go for a bike ride!” – Fiona
For more information about Colorado Ballet Academy’s programs or classes, please call 303-339-1623 or email academy@coloradoballet.org. For press inquiries regarding Colorado Ballet Academy, please contact the company’s communications staff listed at the top of this release.
ABOUT COLORADO BALLET ACADEMY
Founded in 1951 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet Academy is the official school of the Colorado Ballet. Under the leadership of Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs and Academy Director Erica Fischbach, the Raydean Acevedo Colorado Ballet Academy (CBA), is the region’s premier source for ballet training. CBA’s unique relationship with the professional company and artistic staff of Colorado Ballet provides superior faculty who are dedicated to developing and inspiring each child to reach their full potential. Aspiring pre-professional students along with those who simply enjoy dance and wish to gain the benefits of studying this classical art form receive the highest caliber ballet instruction in an environment that fosters excellence, individuality and creativity. CBA’s curriculum is grounded in formal classical ballet technique and follows the traditional classical sequence of training intended to increase each student’s technical skill, stamina and artistry. Elements of the Russian, French and Italian schools are taught according to age and physical development, resulting in finished dancers with clean and virtuosic technique, brilliant artistry, stylistic versatility and the prowess to thrive in the diverse choreographic demands of today.
