SUMMER WORKSHOP TIPS FOR THE BALLET STUDENT AND FAMILY

A full week has passed since we began our 2012 summer workshop in The Ballet Manila School and I must admit to feel very, very encouraged by the enthusiasm, commitment and energy emanating from both students and faculty. What we have set as our goal six weeks from now is certainly a challenge! SWAN LAKE. All four acts of this Tchaikovsky classic. The most romantic ballet of all time.  And the most difficult for corps de ballet, soloists and principals at the professional level – and here we are mounting this ballet on our students – some of them just four years old. 

So if you are a ballet student involved in a summer workshop (or a parent of a ballet student involved in a summer workshop) here are some tips from a certified ballet bun head and ballet mom.

1) Re-hydrate! Re-hydrate! Re-hydrate! – Dancing in this heat will make you sweat. Drink lots of water! But remember to know your teacher’s rules on when it is permitted to drink during class and rehearsals.

2) Bring an extra set of rehearsal clothes. After a ballet technique class, use a towel to wipe off and then change into dry rehearsal clothes. Your fellow dancers, especially your partner, will thank you for that consideration. Plus, it’s just not healthy to hang around rehearsals in wet leotards. 

3) For girls on pointe, have at least two pairs of pointe shoes ready for use at all times. A spare pair of pointe shoes in your dance bag is like a spare tire in the boot of your trunk. It has to be good to go on the dance floor at any given time! 

4) Try not to be absent from class. Your teacher prepares a step-by-step progression for the summer. Just like in regular school, it is hard to play catch up after an absence. And makes you more prone to injury as well.

5) Make friends! Summers spent dancing together seals lots of friendships that last a lifetime. Remember: Dancing is a lot of hard work, but is also supposed to be fun! If you are not having fun, how do you expect your audience to have a great time watching you perform?

PS: For more summer workshop tips, Like my public figure page Lisa Macuja Elizalde : Ballerina. You can also follow me on twitter @lisamacuja.

Enjoy the summer everyone!  

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