Many of you know that last summer Julian came back from New York City and his time at American Ballet Theatre’s summer intensive, as well as at Complexions Contemporary Ballet summer intensive, with instructions to spend a year (or two) working on his ballet technique. That’s why he left his pre-professional contemporary ballet program for a strict and serious classical ballet program. Well, I’m happy to say that it seems his training appears to be paying off.
While we have never managed to get more than a 50 percent scholarship from American Ballet Theatre, last weekend Julian auditioned for the School of American Ballet summer intensive–one of four summer programs for which he’ll audition in the next four weeks, and he was told on the spot that he had earned himself a merit scholarship. That means all expenses paid! The School of American Ballet houses it’s summer intensive dancers in the Juilliard dormitories, so that means housing and meals are handled, as far as I know. We’d only be financially responsible for an airline ticket. Whoo hoo!
No, let me qualify this by saying that Julian also will be auditioning for American Ballet Theatre, Juilliard, and San Francisco Ballet. He also will go to New York one way or another to attend the Complexions intensive, since he was personally asked back by Dwight Rhoden. We will, indeed, have to pay for those three or four weeks, but he has been “gifted” the level two intensive there while he attends level three. That allows him to take classes most of the day.
Anyway, the point is this: When your child (or you) are told to go home and get technical training, do it. It will pay off. Be sure to choose a studio that will give you the training you desire, though. Not every studio offers high-level ballet technique. That’s why Julian was forced to make a change in where he trained or studied.
These can be hard decisions for young boys. They won’t regret them. I’m here to tell you so. I’m sure Julian would say the same–especially after Sunday’s audition.
Congrats to Julian and best of luck in the other auditions too!
Wow! That’s amazing! Congratulations and good luck to him. I’m sure he’ll go very far in the danceworld!
I think i could use the sam thing to improve my dance. Do you or anyone else know of any schools that offer technical dance training in Halifax? I figure I might have to go to Toronto or somewhere else. I’m going to start looking right away. Thanks for posting this.
That’s awesome! Congratulations to Julian!
For Celine – try this for ballet training…I happened to notice yesterday that one of The National Ballet School of Canada’s teachers, Johanna Hilchie, started out here:
http://www.maritimeconservatory.com/
All the best!
Congratulations to Julian! I love reading your blog, Nina. My granddaughter, Emily will be returning for her second summer intensive (full scholarship) at ABT. She was named a National Training Scholar for 2010-2011, received another scholarship for this summer, and a scholarship for the 2011-2012 school year.
Nina, I was hoping to see you at the ABT finale this year since I was unable to meet you last year.
Congrats to her, Ann! I won’t be in NYC until the end of July. If you are still there, let me know! Anyway, let me know when the show is…maybe Julian and I could get tickets. He’d love to see his friends.