It's hard to believe that summer intensive season is almost over! We hope you're learning, growing, having fun and making memories at your intensives this year.
Today, we're sharing seven dancers' favorite summer intensive memories.
Isabella Boylston, American Ballet Theatre
Summer Intensive: American Ballet Theatre
Age: 17
Perseverance
"I was 17 (although I looked about 14) and attended the ABT Summer Intensive. I was particularly excited to be there because the year before that I hadn't been accepted."
Outside the Studio...
"My mom, my best friend Lauren Post, and I sublet a tiny one bedroom on the Upper West Side and had a blast exploring the city."
Dreams Come True
"That summer I was invited to join the ABT Studio Company—a dream come true!"
Lia Cirio, Boston Ballet
Summer Intensive: Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet
Age: 15
Laser-Focused
"When you are training as a young dancer, especially at a school like Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, everything feels very serious and all you want is to improve. While I had a lot of fun, I was focused on dancing."
Bleeding Blisters…
"One time, I got a huge blister on the bottom of my foot. It was so painful and bleeding and my friends were laughing because I couldn't even wear street shoes. I vividly remember cramming my foot into my pointe shoe because I wanted to take partnering so badly."
Rex Tilton, Ballet West
Summer Intensive: Pittsburg Ballet Theatre
Age: 15
Ballet Brothers and Buddies
"I was 15 years old and I attended PBT's summer intensive along with my brother Raymond. I met tons of people and made friends, one being current PBT corps de ballet artist Joseph Parr."
Technique Discoveries
"Steven Annegarn was my favorite teacher as he taught me how to use technique while being a tall and strong dancer."
Ian Hussey, Pennsylvania Ballet
Summer Intensive: Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet
Age: 17
Keeping it Classy
"CPYB's summer program is probably one of the hardest and most grueling programs I experienced because every day each male student had two technique classes, men's class, and partnering."
A Strong Finish
"By the end of the summer, I gained so much strength and knowledge."
Nicole Ciapponi, Joffrey Ballet
Summer Intensive: San Francisco Ballet
Age: 15
Bunhead Happiness
"My favorite summer program was at San Francisco Ballet School. The focus was mainly on ballet so I couldn't have been happier!"
Turning Point
"I was 15 years old and, through this summer course, I received a spot as a trainee with the company. It was very memorable because it was the next step towards my career in joining San Francisco Ballet the next season."
Misa Kasamatsu, Pennsylvania Ballet
Summer Intensive: Boston Ballet
Age: 16
Beyond Barre and Center...
"I really enjoyed this summer intensive because I got to do so many things, such as Pilates, partnering, and modern dance."
Going Solo
"I also got to perform a solo at the end of the summer show. It was a great way to be seen by the director."
Bradley Dunlap, Miami City Ballet
Summer Intensive: Pacific Northwest Ballet
Age: 16
Gaining Confidence as a Male Dancer
"As a 16-year-old-male dancer in America, I often dealt with criticism towards a career in ballet. My time in Seattle that summer offered me a chance to connect with others my age that shared in my goals and aspirations. During those five weeks I was able to grow in confidence and strength as a young man and ballet dancer."
Outside of Class
"It was also so much fun to explore a new city and create new friendships!"
This article originally appeared on pointemagazine.com.