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Sum  mer School of Excellence For aspiring ballet professionals, the journey to a successful career demands rigorous training, discipline, and the right opportunities. The American Academy of Ballet’s prestigious Summer School of Excellence offers an environment where students can focus on honing their craft, guided by world-class instructors and supported by a comprehensive curriculum. Located in New York at the State University of New York at Purchase (SUNY Purchase), this program is designed to be a stepping stone for students ready to advance their skills and pursue their dreams in the ballet world. Here’s how the academy supports students’ ambitions and prepares them for a future in professional ballet.

A Milestone in Ballet Training at the American Academy Pointe work is a milestone in every ballet dancer’s journey, signifying both dedication and readiness for one of the most challenging aspects of classical ballet. At the American Academy of Ballet, pointe training is approached with care and expertise, ensuring that students are not only physically prepared but also equipped with the technical skills required for safe and successful pointe work.

Enhance Your Experience Through Preparation Starting a ballet intensive program can be both thrilling and a bit overwhelming, especially for those entering their first one. With the right preparation, young dancers can feel confident and ready to make the most out of this invaluable experience. Here’s a guide on how to prepare for your first ballet intensive: 1. Understand What to Expect Ballet intensives are designed to accelerate your training over a short period of time, often with daily classes covering everything from classical ballet to other essential styles like contemporary or neo-classica l. The American Academy of Ballet’s Summer School of Excellence , for instance, is known for its challenging, comprehensive curriculum aimed at boosting each dancer’s skills in a condensed time frame. This means days will be long and require both physical and mental endurance.

Various Avenues to Broadening Your Artistic Horizons The American Academy of Ballet is renowned not only for its focus on classical ballet but also for the diversity of dance styles it incorporates into its comprehensive curriculum. Aspiring dancers who train at the academy are given the opportunity to explore various dance forms, broadening their artistic horizons and helping them develop into versatile performers. Whether you’re passionate about ballet or eager to expand your dance repertoire, the American Academy of Ballet ensures that its students gain exposure to multiple genres of dance. Here’s a closer look at the range of styles that are taught at the academy. Classical Ballet: The Foundation of All Dance At the core of the American Academy of Ballet’s curriculum is classical ballet . It provides the foundational technique that every dancer needs, no matter what style they ultimately specialize in. With a focus on precision, control, and grace, classical ballet helps dancers build strength, flexibility, and discipline. The academy’s classical ballet instruction follows a rigorous program designed to shape students into technically proficient and artistically expressive dancers. With expert instructors guiding each dancer, students can master fundamental techniques such as pointe work, pirouettes, and grand jetés.

Instilling Excellent Qualities at an Early Age For aspiring dancers, beginning ballet training at a young age provides a solid foundation that can foster both physical and mental development. The American Academy of Ballet understands the significance of early ballet instruction, which is why we are committed to nurturing young dancers and setting them on the path to excellence. Ballet requires precision, discipline, and creativity—qualities that are best instilled from an early age. At the American Academy of Ballet, our Summer School of Excellence offers young students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a structured yet supportive environment, where they can cultivate not only their dancing skills but also key life lessons.

The Woman Who Started it All The American Academy of Ballet has long been recognized as one of the premier ballet training institutions in the United States, particularly renowned for its Summer School of Excellence. This prestigious program offers aspiring dancers from around the world the opportunity to refine their skills in a focused, supportive environment. With a comprehensive curriculum that includes classical ballet, pas de deux, pointe, contemporary, and musical theater, the academy attracts talented students seeking professional careers in ballet. What many don’t realize is that this esteemed institution owes its success to the vision, dedication, and talent of its founder, Mignon Furman. Mignon Furman: The Woman Behind the Vision Mignon Furman was much more than a founder—she was a trailblazer in the world of ballet education. With nothing but her talent, courage, and determination, she set out to redefine ballet training, and in doing so, established the American Academy of Ballet as a leading summer program in the country. Her approach to ballet education was deeply rooted in the technical and artistic aspects of the craft, thanks in part to the invaluable advice she received from her friend and world-famous ballerina, Margot Fonteyn . Margot Fonteyn’s insights helped shape Mignon’s philosophy on ballet education, blending discipline with artistry in a way that both challenged and inspired her students. This foundation is what continues to make the academy’s curriculum so impactful today