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How to Prepare for Your First Ballet Intensive

1 November 2024

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-classical. 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.

A group of young girls are practicing ballet in a dance studio

2. Prepare Physically Before the Program Begins
Since ballet intensives can be demanding, it’s helpful to start preparing physically a few weeks beforehand. Focus on maintaining a regular practice schedule, stretching daily, and working on flexibility and strength exercises. Ensuring your body is conditioned will help reduce the risk of injuries, allowing you to jump right into the program without difficulty.


3. Pack the Essentials
It’s important to be prepared with everything you’ll need for class. Here are some essentials:


  • Clothing: Stock up on comfortable leotards, tights, and other required dancewear, as well as warm-up clothes for breaks between classes.
  • Footwear: Have more than one pair of ballet slippers and pointe shoes, if applicable, as well as flat shoes for any contemporary classes.
  • Nourishment: Bring a balanced selection of snacks and a water bottle to stay hydrated and energized throughout the day.
  • Health Kit: This might include band-aids, a wrap for any minor injuries, and extra hair ties to keep you comfortable.
A young ballerina is sitting on the floor wearing pointe shoes.

4. Rest and Fuel Your Body Properly
Adequate rest and good nutrition are key to maintaining stamina. Before and during your intensive, aim for a diet rich in protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats to support high-energy days. Also, prioritize sleep so your body can fully recover each night and be ready for the following day’s work.


5. Come with an Open Mind and a Willingness to Learn
A ballet intensive is not only a place to refine your skills but also an opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone. Be open to feedback from instructors and willing to adapt. Learning from new teachers with varied perspectives will challenge and enhance your technique in meaningful ways.

Three children are practicing ballet in a dance studio.

6. Set Goals for Yourself
Setting clear personal goals can give you a sense of purpose and direction during your intensive. Whether it’s mastering a certain technique, improving flexibility, or simply building endurance, having specific objectives can help you stay focused. Keep a journal of your daily progress, reflecting on the challenges and victories each day brings.


7. Prioritize Self-Care and Take Breaks
The rigor of an intensive is exhilarating, but it’s also important to listen to your body. Take breaks as needed, stretch throughout the day, and care for sore muscles with icing or massage if necessary. Small moments of rest can go a long way in helping you avoid burnout and stay motivated.


Entering a ballet intensive with preparation and positivity can make all the difference. With the American Academy of Ballet’s Summer School of Excellence, dancers will be surrounded by experienced instructors, supportive peers, and an environment that encourages growth. Embrace this journey with an open heart, and you’ll come out the other side stronger and more inspired in your ballet path.

Three young girls are practicing ballet in a dance studio.
A little girl in a blue and white tutu is dancing in a dance studio.
A pair of pointe shoes laying on top of a tulle skirt
Three little girls are practicing ballet in a dance studio.

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