[NEohioPAL]Ballet Intensive Studies Summer Program

[vrenner at childrensballettheatre.org]

Ballet Intensive Studies Summer Program


June 19 through July 14
Registration begins Feb 1, 2006
Ballet Summer Intensive Studies

Christine Meneer proudly announces her much-anticipated intensive summer ballet
program. For 20 years, Christine Meneer has offered a summer dance program, which
includes ballet technique, pointe, variations, pas de deux (partnering), men's
classes, jazz, tap, choreography and student choreography. For many years, Meneer
has allowed her older dancers to spread their wings and venture out to the "big
city" schools. These big schools are great for a worldly experience; however,
they do little to improve strength or technique - in Meneer's opinion.

This year, Meneer is opening up her summer school program to outside dancers as
an additional option besides the big expensive schools. Dancers attending her
school will receive daily classes in technique, and pointe (if applicable) plus
additional classes for versatility. Advanced dancers will dance up to six hours
per day. The highlight of her program has always been the student choreography
where dancers are given the opportunity to choose their own music, select their
own costumes and create their own choreography in order to perform it at the end
of the session. A two-hour performance will be held on the last day of classes to
showcase what the dancers achieved during the program.

Most dancers are lead to believe that they must go away to the big expensive
summer ballet programs in order to improve their technique. Most of the other
programs offered elsewhere are very large and leave the dancer with little
individualized attention. The draw of big name guest teachers and several
thousand dollar tuition fees leave many young dancers lost in an atmosphere that
is only appropriate for high level students who are independent workers. Dancers
CANNOT teach themselves - younger students NEED that one-on-one attention every
day. Having sent many dancers to most of the major ballet programs in the
country, Meneer found that they do not necessarily come back stronger. And her
dancers realize that they are able to fit right in with dancers several years
older than themselves who take more classes per week. Do not be fooled into
believing that you have to go to a big city to get the best training!!

Meneer believes that it is absolutely essential for aspiring young dancers to get
intense proper training between the ages of 10 and 15. Dancers dreaming of being
professionals some day do need to be trained by professionals in order to reach a
higher level of performance. Meneer's staff consists mainly of former
professional dancers. Meneer herself danced with Ohio Ballet and Pennsylvania
Ballet before retiring to open up her own school of 23 years.

Meneer's four-week summer school program will run from June 19 through July 14.
This program is open to dancers from the ages of 8 - 18. It will be held at the
Christine Jones - Meneer School of Dance at 265 N. Main St. in Munroe Falls. For
information about placement, please call the studio at 330-688-3000, or visit
these websites: www.MeneerDance.com or www.ChildrensBalletTheatre.org.