The School of American Ballet (SAB) students receive guidance about summer intensives and company auditions just before Thanksgiving break. The boys are brought in to see Jock Soto, the head of the men’s division, and he asks them what summer programs they might be interested in attending. He then advises them on their choices. He […]
Our First Regional Dance America Experience
We returned from Regional Dance America (RDA) in Los Vegas a week ago. We haven’t had a break. My husband, Ron, flew in from Germany the day before we left and flew out to Missouri to care for his mother a day after we returned. Julian had rehearsals up until the evening before we left […]
YAGP On, YAGP Off
Julian continues auditioning for summer intensives despite the fact that we had to let the School of American Ballet know our decision a few weeks ago. That means the ABT results came if after, as well the San Francisco Ballet School and Juilliard results. ABT offered Julian a full scholarship this year, but it just […]
New School Year, New Focus, New Dance Program
I didn’t realize I’d let so much time pass since my last post. Time flies when you’re having fun…not. Julian and I got back from New York, and I entered into a harried three and a half weeks of getting him to the TDC summer intensive, preparing for my daughter’s 18th birthday party and to […]
Whoo Hoo! Julian's Into ABT and We're Off to NYC Again!
Just a short note to say that Julian received notification late last week that he had been accepted again into the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive Program in New York City. Whoo hoo! However, we were a bit upset at first to see that he had not been awarded a scholarship. Last year he received […]
Tech Week and ABT Summer Intensive Auditions this Week
Seems like we just got back from New York City, but Julian and his Dad went off to San Francisco today for his American Ballet Theatre summer intensive audition. I think he was a bit less nervous this year, but, of course, this year everything is riding on it. Last year, he did it on […]
Looking for Info on Grants and Scholarships for Dancer in Financial Need
This past week I received a comment here on this blog from a mother who fears her daughter will have to drop off her dance team due to the fact that the family has encountered some financial hardships this year. The economic recession has been tough on many people. We’ve felt it, too. My husband’s […]
Do Development Stages Affect Boys' Dance Ability?
We’re back from The Pulse. Julian is tired, happy to have danced with some great choreographers and to have learned some cool choreography, and a bit disappointed not to have won a scholarship of any sort. I know…I know. The scholarship isn’t important. Tell that to Julian. He had several choreographers talk to him and tell him he was […]
Preparing for Going Solo Performance and Copellia
Things are gearing up again. Julian has been practicing an old routine of his from a few years ago called “Hats” for solo studio performance on Thursday. We didn’t realize that he could actually perform in this event, so he didn’t prepare a solo. (We’ll know for next year.) So, he pulled out his very-successful […]
Free Ballet Classes Draw Boys Into The Studio
I recently was asked to write a short sidebar on how to get boys into the dance studio and keep them there. (The piece will appear in an upcoming issue of Dance Teacher magazine.) One of the things I stressed was that studios should offer free or discounted classes for boys, as well as scholarships. […]
My Son's Adventures in Booty Shorts
Okay, some of you may find this post doesn’t live up to its great title, but I just couldn’t resist after saying that’s what I would write about next! Anyway, here’s the dirt: Julian, much to his dismay, has to wear booty shorts for one of his pieces of choreography during the three performances his […]
ABT Summer Ballet Intensive: What's a Boy to Do?
We thought Julian had his summer all planned out: Back to Jewish camp for four weeks, something he had his heart set on, especially after missing almost half of his session last year when he came down with what was later diagnosed as Relapsing Fever. This was to be his last summer not spent focusing on […]
The New Year Brings Opportunities, Choices and a Search for Summer Dance Programs and Tights
Sorry for the lapse in blog posts. I’ve been sick on and off for about two weeks now. My husband had a cough. Then Julian got stuffed up. Then I came down with a fever and a rash and about five days later a full blown cold. Now my daughter has it, too. Anyway, the […]