<p>I know this is a college forum, but figured dance students and dance parents might be reading it, so I figured it would make sense to at least post here.</p>
<p>Has anyone or anyone's kid gone to the summer intensive at Dance Theatre of Harlem? If so, can you tell me what the program is like, etc.?</p>
<p>My D got a nice sized scholarship for the six week summer intensive, which would make it less expensive for her to go there for six weeks than it would for her to go to the Boston Ballet SI for five weeks or ABT Detroit (the one she got in) for four. </p>
<p>But this will be her first ever SI (she is a high school freshman) and her first time away from home, so we want it to be a good experience.</p>
<p>If your daughter wants to only concentrate on ballet, I would try for ABT in Detroit. If that is the closest to you. We live in the philly area and my dd is going to Joffrey Jazz in NYC this summer. She is a junior going to be a senior this summer. If your dd is very mature NYC would be ok. If not I would try closer to home for her first go around. ABT is not shabby for your first go around!! My dd did Point Park in Pittsburgh for her first intensive away from home. That was great. The city was very safe. Good Luck</p>
<p>She got accepted to ABT Detroit, as well as Boston Ballet, Orlando Ballet, Alvin Ailey, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Washington Ballet and the Hartt School. </p>
<p>But DTH gave her the most money, so she can do six weeks in New York for less than it costs to do four weeks in Detroit. Detroit is, in fact, at least 10 hours from us, as we live in the Mid Atlantic area. Pittsburgh is much closer to us than is Detroit. </p>
<p>The thing that is wrong with ABT Detroit is that it is only four weeks, which would mean she would have to enroll in yet another program to supplement. I don’t have that kind of money!</p>
<p>I spoke today with the head of the DTH summer intensive and it is heavily ballet, with some modern. I was told that DTH is heavily Balanchine oriented, but the head of the program said their approach to ballet is very eclectic.</p>
<p>NotmamaRose
you might hceck out ballet talk for dancers if you have not already been there. This SI just came up again on that board and there was some discussion about it. It sounded like it has been renewed for the first time in a few years.</p>
<p>Thanks, keepingcalm. I did check Ballet Talk. DTH’s summer program has been up and running again for a few years, as a number of my D’s older classmates have done summers there, and are still in high school. In fact, most of the girls who have done that program came back for a second time, which is a good sign, I think. I have also been impressed by the personal attention that the head of the program has given to me and the parent of another student who is considering going. She has responded immediately to every phone call and email. Contrast that to ABT, which you absolutely cannot reach by email before the middle of March!</p>
<p>I would go for DTH for sure. Just because its newer doesnt mean its bad. I would go for it especially since it sounds like they love your daughter! My dd will be there in August for Joffrey Jazz and Cont. she is very excited to be in NYC for 2 weeks.</p>
<p>my daughter has been accepted to Ailey 5 week junior program in NYC. This would be her first time away from home and many miles from home. I am beginning to think that maybe the Aug- 2 weeks Joffrey Jazz and Cont might be a more practical option…she is 15.
seems like the students are busier for the Joffrey program and lots of down time with the Ailey program. Anyone have any input?</p>
<p>My D did the senior Ailey at just 16. At the start is was a rough transition but in te end she loved it, loved being in the city, and improved a great deal. Although she ws not in the junior program she got the impression that it was more organized and the kids were better cared for. She says that she wishes that she had done the junior program. I realize this isn’t very helpful to your questions. In the senior program there was a fair amount of down time even with the maximum number of classes which is what D had but I think her VERY late nights, as only NYC can afford a 16 year old on her own, made up for it. D was not bored.</p>
<p>My 15-year-old girl also got accepted to the 6 week summer Ailey program (I guess that’s not the junior but the professional division), but the whole find your own housing thing is not do-able for us this year. Maybe next year, if we plan ahead a little better!</p>
<p>I didn’t know that Dance Theatre of Harlem had housing for the summer intensive. My daughter dances with students who went to both Ailey and DTH. (She only went to Ailey). If she had to choice between the two, she would choose DTH.</p>
<p>Hi. My dd is going to the Joffrey Jazz in Aug. If it her first time away from home I would do this. My daughter did Point Park 3 week program last summer. I know from a physical stand point I dont know if her body would have taken the six weeks program. 2 to 3 weeks is great. They make friends and learn alot while not breaking down their bodies. Your daughter must be an incredible dancer to get into all these programs. Good Luck deciding.</p>
<p>My dd will be attending the DTH summer intensive as well. I googled “going to DTH intensive” and this thread came up. Thru the DTH bursar I recently had the pleasure of connecting with 4 other parents who’s dd are also going to the intensive. 3 of the 4 attended last year, were selected for other programs, but DTH is their first choice. We’re renting a great condo in Central Harlem to reduce the cost, and would be delighted if you would like to join us. The girls are between 13 and 17. We have room for 6 including my d. You are welcome to ask the Bursar at DTH for my no. or send a reply to this thread.</p>
<p>I am so sorry I didn’t check back on this thread last spring! My D ended up at ABT Detroit and loved it, but I still wish she had been able to go to DTH. Oh, well … it’s time to start auditioning again, so here we go!</p>
<p>Not Mama Rose… where is your daughter going this summer? My dd got into ABT, Orlando, and Kansas City. She accepted Orlando because of the new Director. I see that your dd was also accepted to Orlando last year. Would love your thoughts.</p>
<p>ayhawki, thanks for asking. Actually, my kiddo is injured, and only had one SI audition under her belt (Boston Ballet, to which she was fortunately accepted) before we had to sideline her. She couldn’t do any more auditions. She decided to turn down Boston in favor of Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s SI, because we don’t know a single kid who went there who didn’t vastly improve her technique. They have something crazy like 22 levels. It is a non audition program, but excellent. It seems like the right place for her this year.
Which ABT did your D get accepted to? Mine went to ABT Detroit last year and I highly recommend it. Very solid program and my D had a blast. Her teachers felt she came back in top shape. My only complaint, if I had one, was that class sizes in most levels were quite large. My D’s level had about 20 and was the smallest.
Re: Orlando. It’s considered a good program, I think, though Peter Stark, the former director has left to work at Patel Conservatory, so I know some dancers who are now going to Patel instead of Orlando. I know nothing about Kansas City, unfortunately.
My daughter had really wanted to attend Miami City Ballet or Pacific Northwest Ballet, but didn’t get to audition.
I just want her to have a fun summer and improve. Here’s the best for your kidlet!</p>
<p>Any insight that I can get on the Princeton Ballet School. My D was accepted this Summer but few people know about this program, I would love to hear about any experiences…good or bad, thank you!</p>
<p>Hi - have you visited the school? We went to see it because my DD had auditioned for the dance program at Rider U, which is associated with the Princeton Ballet School. It is in a funny kind of spot, above a big store, which didn’t appeal to me, but the studios seemed very nice. They have a company which performs around NJ apparently. I cannot tell you about their summer intensive but only what I observed there. Would she be commuting to the SI or staying somewhere nearby? The neighborhood was nice. Best of luck.</p>
Pittsburgh is much closer to us than is Detroit. </p>