Summer Course 2021 Recap

It’s only been a couple of weeks since we wrapped our 2021 five-week Summer Course, but we already miss seeing the students in our studios! Given our adherence to social distancing policies and safety measures for students and staff, we had to operate at a reduced capacity making this year’s Summer Course much smaller than in years past. The silver lining, however, was that attendees were able to enjoy a more close-knit community. Students may not have been able to partake in our typical extra-curricular activities, like trips to the theater or ballet, but they were able to sharpen their technique in smaller classes with more individualized attention and form close friendships with their classmates that are sure to last.

This year’s curriculum included classes six days a week in everything from technique to weight training, pointe to Pilates. Students were taught by members of SAB’s full-time faculty as well as special guest teachers including our current Visiting Faculty Chairs, Alicia Holloway and Leyland Simmons, and recent SAB Visiting Fellow, Damien Johnson.

We also invited SAB alumni and choreographers Francesca Harper and Troy Schumacher to lead this year’s Choreography Workshop with our most advanced boys and girls levels. Definitely an exciting element of the program, this workshop gives students the opportunity to work with established choreographers over two weeks as they create and rehearse brand new ballets set on the students. Traditionally this culminates in an informal studio showing for parents and SAB members, which this year was replaced with a filmed version of the students performing the two new dances.

Students also participated virtual programs hosted by our Student Life staff including Nutrition and PT seminars, Q&As with New York City Ballet dancers, and interactive social events. And of course, they still had time to enjoy some of New York City’s sights including the always entertaining Green on Lincoln Center’s plaza! After a year of restricted travel, we hope our dancers were able to experience a little taste of what NYC has to offer.

There’s no doubt that this Summer Course was special and we certainly are proud of the students and their hard work all through July. It may be a whole year away, but we can hardly wait for next summer!