Summer Dance Guide

We’re thinking about summer this week! While this winter seems to be barreling on, let’s focus on some warm weather times. Do you have plans for your dancer yet? We are looking forward to our plethora of dance camps and clinics that will be offered during our summer months. Summer is a wonderful time to continue training for your dancer as well as the perfect opportunity to try a new genre of dance.

Summer dance registration opens February 25th

As you begin to plan for summer, here is a glimpse at what we offer.

• Exciting themes – we will have a variety of themes for our dance camps. Whether your dancer enjoys being strong like a superhero, the fantasy world of princes and princesses, wishes they could be in a musical, or is in their *golden* era, we will have a camp for you! These fun themes will be woven through the camp with the music, props, and performance.
• A time to try multiple genres – we offer a variety of camps and clinics that give your dancer a chance to try something new. Our offerings range from single day sessions to 4 day camps, so dancers get a small glimpse of what a full year could look like.
• A varied schedule – our camps are set up to either be completed within one week, or spread out over two weeks to accommodate a variety of schedules. For example, camps might be Monday through Thursday, Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, completed over two weeks. We offer daytime and evening classes.
• Offerings at both locations – we will have camps and classes at both our Bridgeville and Robinson locations, so that you can find what works best for your family. Our themes will rotate between locations as well, to give multiple date options for specific camps.
• Performance aspect – on the final day of camps, we invite families into the studio to showcase what the dancers have been working on. This gives dancers a taste of what performing in front of an audience will be like if they plan to participate in our annual recital the following season.
• Clinics –  we hold clinics throughout the summer as well as camps, which are single day classes in various genres such as hip hop, tumbling, and new this year, dance team clinics! These specialized days focus in on one genre and can help dancers further certain skills they are looking to attain.

Why is it important to continue training in the summer?

• For younger dancers – it is helpful to have them continue to learn or start to learn classroom ettiequte. Dancers will accomplish tasks such as trusting a teacher for the first time, waiting to take turns, and following directions. This helps to transition into the classroom in the fall!
• For returning dancers – it can be helpful to have different teachers over the summer to expose them to a variety of teaching styles and information. Although we use a shared curriculum, each teacher brings a unique touch to their teaching style. Sometimes hearing movement explained in a different way will spark something within your dancer.
• For older dancers – continuing to train in the summer helps to keep their bodies strong.
  • • Conditioning – Through stretching, conditioning, and cooldowns, teachers will help instill healthy habits for dancers to continue working their bodies at home so they don’t succumb to injury when returning in the fall.
    • Mental sharpness for class – Since our summer sessions are single days or smaller amounts of time, dancers will learn new combinations quickly. Picking up choreography quickly is a difficult skill to acquire and maintain, but is necessary as dancers get older.
    • Maintaining technique – as dancers progress each season, along with their baseline of technique, new skills are expected to be learned. Summer dance gives dancers a chance to hone in on their technique and prepare for further development.

Our website has full descriptions of each camp theme for you to look over before registration goes live. If you have questions about what we offer or what your dancer should try over the summer, please connect with your dancer’s teachers or call the office at 412-257-2000. We look forward to continuing the fun into the summer!