<p>Q for dancing MTers. My d (15) is looking for a summer intensive in contemporary/modern dance. Has done ballet intensives, but would like to go the contemporary route. She's aware of NCSA and NYSSSA. She's less confident in modern and would therefore like info about non-audition programs.</p>
<p>I know you mentioned non audition or where you don't have to be accepted....but I'll just throw out some programs that I know kids from our dance studio have done...</p>
<p>Broadway Theater Project
Summer week long intensives at Broadway Dance Center in NYC
Summer dance program (not the title) at Bates
Summer dance program (not the title) at Purchase
Summer dance program (not the title) at Alvin Alley
Summer dance program (not the title) at Univ. of the Arts</p>
<p>How about University of the Arts summer programs, or Univ. of the Arts' regular programs? I suddenly keep hearing people mention this institution, and know zilch about it, other than that it is in Philadelphia.
Can anyone comment on the quality of the programs there?</p>
<p>Also, look at Point Park's International Summer Dance Intensive - all disciplines but a big jazz and modern focus - I've had many MT students go to this and absolutely love it - it's designed for "dancer dancers," so it KICKS THEIR BUTTS! It IS an audition program, but I'd still check it out...they take students of varying levels - if she is an advanced ballet dancer, I feel as if that would "make up for" her lack of strength in other areas, based on what I've seen at the audition for this program (which I have watched several times.) They have several regional auditions and LOTS of scholarship money available.</p>
<p>Jasmom, your D sounds like mine. Last summer she did Interlochen's dance program, majoring in ballet. But they also had modern and jazz daily (I think they had jazz daily bt she was never very clear). She loved the dance program. It is an audition based program but she found the levels very mixed. They list minimum years of ballet and modern on their site, but she new kids there who had not even started pointe, let alone have 2 years of it.</p>
<p>We were looking into the Park Point program mentioned above and NCSA for this summer, but she has now opted for going on an academic trip this summer.</p>
<p>Thanks, all, I'll pass these along to her. She did NCSA Ballet last summer, but LOVED her modern classes. I figured I was asking the right crew.</p>
<p>To all:</p>
<p>Because some programs already have their applications available, it would be great if we knew the dates of all of the 2006 MT Summer Programs. Some require auditions, some don't; most require "processing" or "application" fees; so knowing when programs will be held (to deal with real life events or to coordinate with other programs so that there aren't any conflicts) would be extremely helpful to all. Can we start a compilation (like the acceptances compilation) of when each program will be held?</p>
<p>Thanks to all.</p>
<p>vocaldad</p>
<p>Vocaldad-
I'll start one right now, so look in a few minutes for it's own thread</p>
<p>Jasmom-PM me or e-mail me and I have mucho details about a great program for your D. [It's just too much to post here]</p>
<p>Bumping for those that want to discuss the various programs</p>
<p>Seeking the opinion of those of you who have more experience in this than do I.
My D is a sophomore at an arts high school (public) this year, and the curriculum there focuses (especially freshmen, sophomore and junior year) on training rather than participating in productions. She also takes voice lessons (has for a number of years) and dance outside of school, and participates in a number of community theater productions.
Though we are by no means poor, the cost of some of these summer programs is a bit steep for us. Because of this, our idea is to let her do some theater camps close to our home (day camps, in other words) and a few productions in the community this summer, and aim for a really good, strong summer MT program for next summer, which will be between her junior and senior year in college.
Does this make sense to you guys? I know that participating in a certain college's summer, precollege program will not make it easier for her to get into that colleges BFA program. I am thinking more in terms of skill sharpening, etc. before the "big year" (senior year) of auditions for BFA MT programs.
It also gives us time to save up the money! <g>
Love to hear your thoughts, if anyone has any.
Lisa
PS: I did see that UM's MT program is within our price range, though it would take some penny pinching.</g></p>
<p>I recommend that you consider OCU, which is reasonably priced and a great 3 week program. My son did local programs every summer until this last summer when he did OCU between junior and senior years. I totally agree with your approach. It was a very positive experience.</p>
<p>NotMamaRose</p>
<p>We also did the same type of thing...D, who is a junior this year, did mostly local summer things (except for a summer intensive at the Broadway Dance Center in NY) until this summer where she is eager to attend CMU's pre-college program. We looked into other programs as well (OCU's is also an option because we have heard such great things thanks to ericsmom). But my d is dead set on trying for CMU. It's definitely more than we can pay. We have 2 other children to consider who would like to have some fun as well this summer and also go on a family vacation! </p>
<p>But, last year I did start putting some money aside and working some extra hours here and there. We also told d she had to come up with 1/3 of the money to attend. So, she has been saving too from a little job she has (although never gets much time to work because she is always busy with something else) but you would be surprised how much you can save if you just start putting it away early enough. A year has been a good time span for her. She is also fortunate enough as well, to get some wonderfully paid performance opportunities. (Last Friday she performed at the Bar Association Banquet) and has another event coming up. Those things can pay pretty well. </p>
<p>People may disagree that we are asking her to contribute for this program. At first, I didn't feel right about it either. But our policy has always been we will provide more than what you need.....If you need even more than that....you have to chip in. It goes back to the $125 sneakers for my son! I just refuse to pay that for a pair of shoes which he ruins in about a month! So the most we will pay is $65 for a pair of shoes. If he wants others....he can pay the rest. I guess this is the same type of thing. I also think it will mean more to her knowing she worked so hard for something. Not really sure.</p>
<p>You still have time and there are other many great programs out there to chose from. I'm sure you will find the right one for all of you!! :-)</p>
<p>Kaysmom, and others,
Thanks for your input. We are in the Mid-Atlantic region, so Oklahoma City is quite a distance from us! But then again, so is UM, and even CMU is a five hour drive. Of course, when one is talking about a residential program, that stuff doesn't matter, except that we could drive our D to CMU quite easily, but would probably want to fly to OCU or even Ann Arbor.
I TOTALLY agree with the approach of having a child chip in/help pay for an expensive program (or pair of sneakers, etc.) that are above and beyond what is reasonable and customary. :) It makes sense to me. It also not only teaches the child the value of working toward something, but also about saving money. That is especially important nowadays, when the credit card companies are so eager to sign our kids up as soon as they get to college, and I hear some are ringing up enormous bills. (I am in my mid 40s, and back in my day, it was extremely tough to get your first credit card. You had to have a person with good credit co sign, and they started you with a very low amount. I remember whining about it, but looking back, it was a good thing.)
Anyway, my guess is that my D will want to try for CMU's pre college, summer program the summer between her junior and senior years. Glad you all agree that's a reasonable plan. I wish we could send her to something great both summers, but that is not going to happen.
Lisa</p>
<p>NotMamaRose, don't worry if you are only sending her to a residential program for one summer! It sounds like there are theater training and production experiences she can have at home this summer and then she will be fortunate to also have a residential option next summer. The main thing is that she will keep training and also doing theater productions, and enjoy it of course. Also that gives time to save up for the program. If she really wants this and it is a stretch, then one option is to ask that all Christmas/Hanukah and birthday presents be money from you or relatives that she sets aside for the program. Programs can be their "gifts" through the year. Perhaps like Kaysmom's D, she might be able to fit in some babysitting or some other part time thing either over the summer or on weekends too. She will not be at ANY disadvantage if she only goes away one summer. The main thing is that she is still going to be training and also doing shows and if it is local, so be it. These summer programs are wonderful but you don't HAVE to do them. What is really important is to keep up good training in all areas of MT and to also gain production experiences. Your D goes to a performing arts high school and has community theater and other summer arts programs in your area and so that is the main thing. If you can swing an "intensive" next summer, she is sure to gain but she'll be OK if she doesn't too. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Thanks, Susan, and thanks even more for the good (and very logical!) idea of having relatives, friends, etc. contribute toward that end goal instead of giving other Christmas/birthday, etc. presents throughout the year. That's a terrific idea and I wish I had thought of it myself. As it is, my D really is not into getting a lot of things for holidays (she does like to get clothes and Broadway soundtrack recordings on CD), so this would work out well. She prefers getting "experiences;" for instance, for her birthday this year, her aunt and grandfather chipped in to get her season tickets to one of the big professional theater venues here in town, which means she gets to see everything that comes. She loved this far more than she would have had she had a physical present to open. Banking money toward a really good MT summer program is definitely the way to go. (Plus, it would make sense for her to have the experience of an "away" program before that first year of college, wouldn't it? Susan, your daughter apparently spent lots of time away in the summer, so that first year in college away from home probably did not feel that different at all. Other than trips with family and friends, my D has not been away from home for a significant amount of time on her own. Just another reason to do a summer, residential program.)
Thanks for everything, you guys. As the teens say, this place rocks! :)
Lisa</p>
<p>Lisa,
Both of my girls have gone away from home since age 8 in summers. Growing up, I went to overnight camp for 8 weeks every summer starting at age 8 as well. Let me add that my years at summer camp are some of the best highlights of my years growing up. We did not set out to send our kids away. In fact, we live in a place that "looks" like summer "camp"! :D But our girls begged to go to performing arts summer programs when young, even though they had done local day ones here prior to that. Once they went, they wanted to go again and again and again. It was definitely a financial strain. They have gone away every single summer. My older one eventually stopped her theater camp as she wanted to do two travel programs the final two years of high school and did those instead. My younger one will be the first to tell you that her summers at Stagedoor Manor have been the most significant and infuential experiences of her life to date. Who ever knew this when she started there at age nine, or all the things that it would lead to but it has in many many respects. So much of who she is now, things she has done, have been an outgrowth of that experience. That aside, the very close bonds she has made with theater kids from around the country are truly her closest dearest friends with whom she is still closely bound, some of whom are in the city now too and some will be eventually. </p>
<p>The issue you just raised is a big one as well. The fact that my kids have spent six weeks every summer away from home (plus I can say this having done so as a child 8 weeks every summer for ten years myself), VERY likely contributed to the ease of their going off to college. Both were SO psyched to go, transitioned into college far from home immediately and with ease, never homesick, independence was fine, etc. Not knowing anyone was fine too. Older D knew nobody at Brown when she got there but the prior two summers had gone on travel programs where she also knew nobody ahead of time. My younger D did know some kids at Tisch ahead of time but has met many, many more. Neither child will likely be home this summer. Older D is looking into getting a summer job in France, something she has always wanted to do (also is very good at French) and younger one hopefully can get summer stock work (remains to be seen). Older D financed her own tuition to go to a summer program in her field last summer at Harvard, also knowing nobody there when she got there. I can't prove that having gone to summer overnight programs contributed to their ease in these college experiences or summers now but my guess is that the fact that college was NOT their first time away from home or their parents, nor where they did not know anyone, helped. However, that was NOT why we sent them to summer programs growing up. It was cause they begged to go! I felt the same when I was a kid...I LOVED my overnight summer program! We did not pick summer programs to "get ahead" or to "look good for college" or to "be ready/prepared", but they went because of their dying passion to go, nothing more! They learned lots, to be sure. These experience were growth ones. But the motivation to attend was purely that they wanted to go really badly. Also, such experiences, SOME of the times, WERE gifts. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Lisa,</p>
<p>My d sounds like yours in many respects. She has asked many times for "experiences" for her bithdays/Christmas gifts. When she turned 16, it was a trip to NYC to see Wicked, every Christmas our family gift is a trip into the city for shopping, skating and a show. This year the first of only a few things on her christmas list was tickets to Sweeny Todd. She has always wanted more in terms of lessons than my other 2. We agreed a long time ago that they could each pick 3 things they wanted to try in terms of lessons, etc. a year. MT D always wanted more than that...dance, voice, guitar, piano, gymnastics, shows, track, baton, swimming, whatever....her list of lessons she wanted to take was always forever long....still is! From a young age she just always wanted to be involved in everything and busy. My son does track and basketball and that is plenty...he likes his free time. D2 plays soccer, runs and does competitive cheerleading. They never begged to do anything else. I also need to be able to get everyone everywhere which is a feat in itself sometimes with a husband who works 500 miles away during the week!</p>
<p>We have, and my parents have given MT D lessons, etc for some presents and she has loved it. Never asked, where is my real present...that was her real present and she was always so happy for it. (I think my younger d would rather have something substantial in the box!!).....</p>
<p>In terms of being away 6 weeks...my d has never done it either. It's just nothing we ever knew. I read your story Susan, and think that my daughter would never know there was such a place to go away to at age eight or nine like that to even ask me. What a great experience for you and your girls! I went to girl scout, cheering camp, softball camp..things like that as a child which lasted a week. My children have done that as well. Being away most of the summer was never part of our lives. Now that she is older and searches the internet she sees that these other options are available, she is eager to go! I'm sure she would have loved to do something like stage door as a child growing up. We just never knew something like that was out there. Although, I must admit I couldn't imagine sending my little one away for so long only because that is not what I have ever experienced. But, It does sound exciting. Summers have always been what I look forward to when I could actually spend quality time with the kids (it always seems so crazy during the school year!). </p>
<p>I would definitely agree that kids need to chose a program that they are "dying" to attend and would love to be at! I have heard that kids go home for many reasons from these summer programs which seems like such a waste to pay that good money if they aren't the ones who really want to be there. Not sure how hard it will be for my d away that long. She's very independent...has no problem jumping into things when doesn't know anyone so I am thinking she will be just fine....hoping, anyway! I know when I went away to college I loved it and never had a problem adjusting. My roommate freshman year cried every night on the phone to her mom asking her to come and get her! She ended up finishing in 2 1/2 years to get it over with so she could go home!!!</p>
<p>Kaysmom...</p>
<p>One thing I should point out is that your D goes to a performing arts high school and we don't have such things in our state. We would never consider, nor afford, to send our kids to boarding schools. We wanted them to grow up at home (not putting down those who DO choose that option). The summer theater camps are sort of that experience that your D may be having over the school year, though of course it ALSO has the sleepaway part and the total immersion without academics, etc. that our daughter doesn't have otherwise. But for my D, it is a nice complimentary part to what she had here the rest of the year. We did piece together lessons, classes, etc. here during the school year. </p>
<p>When I was mentioning how my kids begged to go to summer theater camps (one went to French Woods, one went to Stagedoor Manor), I'll go back the prior year. They had been spending the summers here in various programs I took them to....one was a dance/singing program (was great), horseback riding, and swimming. Older D went to a week long "camp" for dryland training for ski racers, that was overnight but not that far away. I don't recall how it came up to go to summer camp. But one summer, we looked into finding a two week summer camp to work around the programs they were doing locally. Not that many camps just let you go two weeks. When I was growing up, my camp (in the Poconos) was ONLY 8 weeks, no other options. Anyway, a local friend who is involved in camping (meaning summer camps) lent me a directory of summer camps. We knew nothing about them but sent for brochures to a few, again just the ones who had shorter stays. Upon looking in the directory, we came across a few performing arts camps and sent for those too but they had a min. of 3 weeks. We picked another camp, also IRONICALLY in the Catskills, where both girls went (ages 8 1/2 and 10 1/2) together for two weeks after their local performing arts program ended. Both were in Peter Pan at that camp. But both girls, after having viewed the camp videos from the performing arts camps that had a min. of 3 weeks, were REALLY interested in those and so the next summer, they really wanted to give up the local performing program and go to the performing arts camps. Their grandparents offered to do that as a gift that year. I had thought for three weeks but the girls were dying to go for six (they are NOT the homesick type). They were generously offered this opportunity by grandparents. Problem was, they LOVED each of their programs and wanted to go back every year and thus began the strain of making that a reality for them on our part (the gift was just that first year). Subsequently, both sets of grandparents have given major gifts of travel programs for a major birthday (16) and the girls were fortunate for those gifts. So, my kids did not know anyone who attended either theater camp or the travel programs but once they researched or learned about them, they really wanted to go. In all these cases, we called parents/kid references to learn more. In subsequent years, we have had families call us in the same way. Unlike CC, we would never have known about these programs. We just looked them up as situations/desires arose. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Oh, kaysmom, I can relate to what you say about kids wanting to do so many things and the Herculean task of trying to get them where they need to be when your husband is not around during the week to help! My husband works at night: he is a newspaper copy editor, and works the 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. shift. That means I am essentially (for all intents and purposes!) a single mom in the evening. I work fulltime, and most days cannot get home until around 6. (Sometimes, I am luckier. But it often takes me almost a full hour, in rush hour traffic, to drive the less than 10 miles between my workplace and my home.) Combine that schedule with those of two daughters -- one who has voice lessons, dance lessons and theater productions going on each week, and the other who takes three or four ballet classes a week -- and it's a recipe for one Harried Mother. My husband and I sometimes stop and look at each other (on the weekends when we can actually <em>see</em> each other) and think "Is this how we want our kids to spend their childhoods? Moreover, is this how <em>we</em> want to spend our kids' childhoods?" :) I remember countless hours just running outside to play when I was a kid, or whiling away the afternoon reading in a cozy corner. (Ooh, that sounds so good!) But then again, my parents were from a different generation (parents took care of your basic needs and kids amused themselves without lots of lessons or being driven about!) and times were different, too. Plus, as my sister only half jokingly points out, we didn't have the kind of talent and drive the kids today seem to have. (Another friend of mine, who is younger and just married, watches my life and swears her kids are not going to be talented, cuz she doesn't want to live in the car like I do!) Overall, I actually take great pleasure in having my girls take pleasure in what they do. That they both seem to be very good at their chosen areas is a bonus.
I wish we all lived in proximity to one another, so we could form the Overtired Parents and Chauffeurs' Group, which would consist of sitting together in a nice, warm coffee shop (or living room) and just talking, lazily, about ourselves and our kids for hours. (Yes, Broadway musical soundtracks could play in the background.) :)
Lisa</p>
<p>Lisa....TaxiMom's unite!!! </p>
<p>Guess what...after YEARS of hours and hours in the car daily to and fro for the kids' interests/activities....it has all come to a standstill.....I am not driving anywhere like I did before...and we are even home for dinner!</p>
<p>I used to think of my car as....changing room (from ski or soccer clothes to dance clothes, then sometimes into concert clothes, etc.), study hall (laptops and homework in the car), dining hall (meals packed up to take in route), etc. AND I do miss all the Broadway musical soundtracks I used to get to hear but they have it all with them now.</p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>PS...I admire what Kaysmom is doing with hubby working so far from home and you, NotMamaRose for the schlepping after work when hubby is at work. My husband helped with the driving with activities, though he works 50 miles from home and was only available after 6 to do so. But we both put mucho miles on our cars as we live in a rural state and have two very active kids involved in numerous activities over a wide area.</p>