Summer Intensive Archives

Summer Intensive 2012

Learn more about our upcoming Summer Intensive 2012.

Summer Intensive 2011

Ballet Conservatory of Asheville held its Summer Intensive 2011 June 27 to July 23, 2011 in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. The intensive included an Advanced program for ages 13 and up and an Intermediate program for ages 10 to 12. Both programs were geared toward talented dancers with a serious interest in ballet. Daily classes included intense, professional instruction in ballet, pointe, variations, partnering, men's class, modern, jazz & hip-hop, pilates, and special projects. Non-technique classes included acting for dancers, nutrition, injury prevention, and ballet history. The intensive concluded with a Showcase at the Diana Wortham Theatre on Friday, July, 22, 2011.

Week 1 Highlights

GUEST INSTRUCTORS:

Ballet & Modern with Nick Kepley, who just finished a stint in “Mary Poppins” on Broadway.  His Motion Dance company of professional dancers from New York, rehearsed their current choreography development project at Ballet Conservatory’s 5 Points Studios this week.  They will showcase their work at Flat Rock and Tryon, NC, in two weeks.  We may arrange more time with company members and Nick next week.

Pilates with Jennifer Gianni’s Fusion Pilates. We learned key stretch and strength methods for the body’s core torso.

Injury Prevention with Cat Matlock of West Asheville Yoga. We learned below the knee massage technique for the calf and Achilles muscles and to relax fascia, tense tissue.

NOTICES:

Caryn Camacho missed Thursday and Friday due to appendicitis, requiring surgery Friday evening. All went well and we look forward to seeing her dancing again soon. Get Well!!

We celebrated Mr. Wayne’s birthday with a healthy fruit cake, and Blue Bell ice cream.

We worked off some dance energy with an active swim outing.

We danced till our muscles and feet were done each day, learning technique and exciting choreography, a brand new original piece from Sarah L. (contemporary) and Mr. Wayne (Maurice Ravel piano waltzes) and beautiful variations from classic ballets with Ms. Angie (La Fille Mal Gardee and Sleeping Beauty).

Way to go Erin Ikelheimer on a wonderful week.

WEEK 2 PREVIEW

Welcome to student dancers Lauren Tooley and Rebecca Wilcox, who will join us in week two.

More Pilates and Injury Prevention.

WEEK 3 PREVIEW

Amanda Edge and Billy Ward, our featured guest instructors, are very excited to join us all week. Amanda, previously with NY City Ballet, has just finished runs in “Phantom of the Opera” and “Come Fly Away”. Billy is with NY City Opera ballet corps and is masseuse for Broadway’s “Billy Elliot” cast.

Welcome to Shelby Ward who will join us week three.

WEEK 4 PREVIEW

We will be preparing for our showcase Friday, July 22nd at the Diana Wortham Theatre, 2pm.

Week 2 Highlights

Ballet Conservatory of Asheville's Summer Intensive 2011 was held June 27 to July 23, 2011. The intensive includes an Advanced program for ages 13 and up and an Intermediate program for ages 10 to 12. Both programs are geared toward talented dancers with a serious interest in ballet.

GUESTS/ INSTRUCTORS:

More Ballet class with Nick Kepley, budding choreographer/artistic director of MOTION dance+theatre, recently in “Mary Poppins” on Broadway.

Nick K’s MOTION dance+theatre company:

Motion previewed their new (days-old) choreography Saturday, exclusively for Ballet Conservatory Summer Intensive students.

Motion rehearsed & developed new choreography projects at BCA’s 5 Point Studios.

Motion viewed BCA Summer Intensive students dancing newly learned choreography and gave specific, technical feedback. (Smiles + tight sous-sos!)

Motion engaged in dance career Question & Answer session with BCA Summer Intensive student’s.  Christopher commented: Class is the place you can do things over and over.  If you fall in performance, you better “Get up girl!”, but in class…  See More Q&A and Videos below.

Motion will showcase their work at Tryon, NC on Thursday, July, 14 and at Flat Rock on Sunday, July 17 and Monday, July 18.  We are planning a BCA student outing on Monday. (Please sign-up on sheet at BCA Studio.)

Pilates with Jennifer Gianni’s Fusion Pilates’ staff.  More key stretch and strength methods for the body’s core torso.

Injury Prevention with Cat Matlock of West Asheville Yoga.  Above knee stretch & massage techniques for key thigh muscles, tense tissue.

NOTICES:

Caryn Camacho returned after appendix surgery last week, wisely easing back into class.

Ballet history in weeks 1 and 2 included viewing and discussion of choreographer Marius Petipa ballets, including and Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty”.  Plus viewing and reviewing Ballet Conservatory’s newest production of Coppelia.

Our athletic stamina is building, dancing like it’s our full-time job.  We continued with daily ballet technique and choreography: Sarah L. (contemporary/hip-hop), Wayne (Maurice Ravel piano waltzes and La Vivandiere, a new boys variation), plus variations from classic ballets with Ms. Angie (“Sylvia”,  “La fille mal Gardee”, “Sleeping Beauty”).

WEEK 3 PREVIEW

Amanda Edge and Billy Ward (and their little dog, too) featured guest instructors, join us from New York City. Both will teach ballet technique sessions and more...

==>Amanda will choreograph a piece for our Summer Intensive showcase July 22.

==>Amanda will lead a special master class for BCA Pre-Professional Beginner level dancers (raspberry/burgundy leotard).

==>Billy will lead a special master class for BCA boys.

==>Billy will join in a partnering session for BCA Summer Intensive dancers.

Amanda, who was previously with NY City Ballet, just ended Broadway runs in “Phantom of the Opera” and “Come Fly Away.” Billy dances with NY City Opera ballet and is masseuse for Broadway’s “Billy Elliot” cast.

Tina Mueller leads Bob Fosse choreography sessions for BCA Summer Intensive advanced students.  Tina teaches theatre dance styles (jazz, tap, etc.) at Mars Hill College and Ballet Conservatory, drawing from her extensive dance and choreography career with broadway’s classics.

Outings for BCA Summer Intensive:

Thursday, July 14

Diana Wortham Theatre - “Technically speaking”.  Erik McDaniel, technical director of Asheville’s own theatre gem, guides us through the backstage labyrinth and design techniques which magically bring dance performance to life.  1pm

Wednesday, July 13

Swimming Pool Cookout hosted by the Silverman family, in Mills River area of South Asheville.  5:30-7:30pm. Please see the sign up sheet at the studio.

Welcome to student dancer Shelby Ward from her home country of Canada, who joins us in Week 3.

WEEK 4 PREVIEW

Outing for BCA Summer Intensive:

Monday, July 18

MOTION dance+theatre company performance at Flat Rock. Please sign-up on sheet at BCA Studio.

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SPECIAL FEATURE:

CAREER QUESTION & ANSWER Session With MOTION dance+theatre company members:

(ALSO SEE YouTube footage and interviews from MOTION’s rehearsals via links below.)

Q’s:

What’s the hardest part about a dance career?  What’s your favorite?  Most important advice?  Do you Hip Hop?  Other styles?

A’s:

Angie, Kansas City Ballet: Dance is a tough career, strong ballet is central, but choreographers want to see what strengths in other styles you bring to their work.

Nick K., Ballet Austin, Kansas City Ballet: The “mental” aspect is most challenging part of a dance career.  Find what you do well, what you can improve, realistically what you bring to dance.

Breanne, Arizona Ballet, Kansas City Ballet: Point shoes and class are hardest.  I love the performance feeling, the sounds of an audience.

Russell, Arizona Ballet, Royal Ballet School-London: Modern dance stretches your skills and expands ways you express yourself, lets you get hired.

Christopher, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Los Angeles Ballet: I really look forward to barre and class, but often avoid the mirror. Class is the place you can do things over and over.  If you fall in performance, you better “Get up girl!”, but in class you can work a jump or turn to really get it.

Adam, Colorado Ballet: Work the simple things, slowly, very well, so you have a very strong technique.  It’s fun to do lots of fun turns and big jumps, but the basics, simple and slow are most important.  Find what things you need to learn -- class is ongoing for life. Explore styles: we do traditional ballet performance and contemporary rep concerts right in a row.

Mahalia, Free-lance NYC dancer: You get hired for your combination of skills, as a theatre dancer who’s strong in ballet.  Individual style is important, and good choreographers. “Nick is great” -- he gives you the basic shape and you can adapt and fill in the detail.

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MOTION 2011 Videos

--Adam and Chris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0_n5-KmClk&NR=1

--Breanne and Russell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV9U4hOr22E&feature=related

--Nick Kepley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC3Edkc2PIw&feature=related

Week 3 Highlights

GUESTS/INSTRUCTORS:
Amanda Edge and Billy Ward taught ballet technique sessions and coached showcase pieces. Amanda choreographed Gershwin piece for Summer Intensive showcase.  Billy led a special master class for BCA boys.
Tina Mueller, led Bob Fosse choreography sessions teaching students “the Aloof” section of “The Rick Man’s Frug” from the musical and movie “Sweet Charity.”

Outings this week:

Wednesday, July 13

Swimming Pool Cookout, snuck in the water just before a super rain storm. Thanks Silverman family!

Thursday, July 14

Diana Wortham Theatre - “Technically speaking”.  Erik McDaniel, technical director of Asheville’s Diana Wortham Theatre, sampled lighting and snow effects for dancers.
More Pilates with Jennifer Gianni’s Fusion Pilates’ staff.
More Injury Prevention with Cat Matlock of West Asheville Yoga.

NOTICES:
Ballet history in week 3 included an in-depth look at George Balanchine and NYCB.

Week 4 Highlights

Outings this week:

Monday, July 18

Students enjoyed MOTION dance+theatre company performance and picnicked at Carl Sandburg’s home Connemara in Flat Rock.  This up-close studio performance by impressive company members was followed by an enlightened Q&A.

Friday, July 22

Diana Wortham Theatre for spacing, rehearsals, and performance.  Valuable experience of the performance preparation process.

Saturday, July 23

Riverside Park cookout.  Thanks to chefs Wayne and Debi Burritt!

Tina Mueller: more Bob Fosse choreography teaching “the Aloof” section of “The Rich Man’s Frug” from“Sweet Charity.”

Pilates with Jennifer Gianni’s Fusion Pilates’ staff.  More stretch and strength.

Summer Intensive Final Showcase.  Friday, July 22. An appreciative audience of 100+ enjoyed a beautifully danced, diverse program.  Congratulations dancers on the performance and your obvious improvement.  Dancer Bailey Butters commented: that this was the best summer program she’s been to so far, commenting that so much individual attention helped her really improve.

NOTICES:
Ballet history in week 4 included more on George Balanchine and a look at BCA’s 2011 production of “Coppelia”.

Congratulations for Perfect Attendance for the entire four weeks of Summer Intensive: Sayres Alspaugh, Emma Cory, Shannon Grady, Ciera Barrow, Alexandra Best, Bailey Butters, Cassie Woods.  Undoubtedly, you learned the most!

Summer Intensive 2010

Ballet Conservatory of Asheville held its first summer ballet intensive June 28 to July 23, 2010. The intensive included an Advanced program for ages 13 and up and an Intermediate program for ages 10 to 12. Both programs were geared toward talented dancers with a serious interest in ballet.

Daily classes included intense, professional instruction in ballet, pointe, variations, partnering, men's class, modern, jazz & hip-hop, pilates, and special projects. Non-technique classes included acting for dancers, nutrition, injury prevention, and ballet history. Admission was by audition or videotape. Because each program was limited to 16 places, dancers received an extremely high level of individualized attention and coaching. Teaching in the program was BCA's Angie Lynn and Wayne Burritt. Headlining the roster of guest teachers was former New York City Ballet dancer Amanda Edge and New York City Opera dancer Billy Ward. Classes met Monday through Friday 9:30-5:00 and Saturday 9:30-12:30. On Sundays, students enjoyed special excursions to Asheville and its picturesque surroundings.