School News.

School News

July School News

Both the Summer Intensive and the Young Dancers Workshop were a huge success this year. The Summer Intensive had over 80 intermediate to advanced level dancers attending classes 6 days a week for 3 weeks. The Intensive emphasized classical ballet training with pointe and variations and included additional disciplines such as jazz, tap, musical theatre and even Flamenco. Melissa Sandvig of “So You Think You Can Dance” season 5 returned to Sacramento Ballet to teach at both Workshops which even included some choreography from the show. Parents and dancers alike were inspired by a lecture with a Q & A hosted by Melissa. The workshop concluded with each Level’s enthusiastic demonstration of pieces from each discipline.

The Young Dancers Workshop included over 40 students ages 7-11 for 2 weeks of intensive training that included not only classical ballet, but variations, jazz, tap, musical theatre and ballroom dancing which culminated in a workshop showcase enjoyed by all. Many of these dancers will continue their ballet training right here at the Sacramento Ballet where a full range of ballet classes is offered at every Level this summer. For more information and the full schedule please click on the “summer session“ tab of the left side of this page.

Sam Anley-Zoll, a Summer Intensive student submitted the article below where he and several students submitted their thoughts on the Workshop experience...

Participating in The Sacramento Ballet’s Summer Intensive Program is the most fun I’ve ever had in a summer activity. With such a wide variety of dance styles and classes, such as flamenco, ballet, contemporary, musical theater, gyrokinesis, tap and choreography, it was never boring. Where else can you find the opportunity to dance so many different types of dance, all in one place in a creative and fun environment? Karen Wing, Level A student said, “The Summer Intensive is the perfect blend of technique, artistry and of course, fun. This program provides its dancers with not only an abundance of challenging classes, but also with some fun different styles along with two performance opportunities. It’s a packed three weeks of solid training. With all of the new teachers, choreography, and classes, it pushes dancers to be constantly engaged both mentally and physically, making them into much stronger dancers.”

Having Mr. Cunningham, Ms.Binda and Melissa Sandvig, teach technique classes was an honor. Haley Finerman, Level C student, said that her favorite part of Summer Intensive was “working with Melissa Sandvig and learning her audition piece that Sunchai Muy choreographed for So You Think You Can Dance.”
The two and three week Summer Intensive programs culminated in demonstrations for family and friends. I liked the challenge of learning something in a short amount of time and then performing it to see how well I could do. Miss Wing stated, “I think that the demonstrations are the best part of the whole program. It leaves you with such a feeling of accomplishment because you are able to show off all of your hard work and truly perform the movement, which all dancers love to do.”

My eight year old brother, Ben, participated in the Young Dancers Workshop designed for kids 8-11 years old. He was exposed to ballet, acting, modern, tap, ballroom and contemporary dance, musical theater, a boys class, improv and Master classes taught by Melissa Sandvig. He made many new discoveries. “I discovered that dancing is super fun.” Ben continued, “I liked ballet, ballroom, acting and musical theater the most and I liked how much fun it was to perform in front of an audience.” Ben also discovered new friends who he couldn’t wait to see every day.

It was incredible to see how well the young dancers performed at their Workshop Demonstration. After just 9 days, these young dancers were able to put together a quality, 1 1/2 hour long show for their family members. On the last day of the workshop, the children participated in a mock TV commercial audition for grape juice and performed a solo, 16 count combination that they choreographed individually! Ben said he thought that the YDWS Director, Christy Schreivogel and all of the instructors, did an outstanding job making this a fun and educational experience. I enjoyed watching him have fun while learning new dance styles. I didn’t know my little brother could Tango! Ole’!

Sam Ainley-Zoll
12 years old
Level III DETP Student