Summer Vacation at the Studio

Many children spend their summer vacation lounging on the couch, swimming, watching movies, or playing video games. Other kids use their time away from academic studies to develop their physical and mental skills by participating in various sports camps. Serious ballet dancers are among those kids who will use the summer break to develop and improve their skills. All sports -- football, soccer, baseball, cheer, even marching band -- require time, energy, and mental effort for a participant to be successful. Ballet is no different. Ballet is a sport with its own unique terms, techniques, positions, rigorous muscle conditioning, and muscle memory development. In addition to physical skills, these serious athletes learn the importance of musical timing, proper nutrition, costuming and uniform requirements, hair and makeup techniques, and so much more. Ballet dancers may attend 'intensive' summer camps with little free time. Their day may begin at 8:00 A.M. and last until 6:00 or 7:00 P.M. At these camps or in a studio, dancers learn both how to perform individually and as part of a team. A passion to be the best – be it at ballet or baseball – is often what drives our young athletes to forego other activities and focus on developing their skills. That’s why some dancers will spend their summer vacation in the studio.