At The Sarasota Ballet’s Summer Intensive, dancers are trained not to fit a mold but to build a future. With an emphasis on versatility, individuality, and career preparation, “students discover something within themselves they didn’t know was possible,” says Christopher Hird, education director of The Sarasota Ballet.
“My first day of class was on the same stage where company members dance,” says Emmanuelle Watkins, a 2021 Sarasota Ballet Summer Intensive student. That summer intensive experience offered a glimpse into an organization that immerses young dancers in company life from the moment they arrive.
Watkins has since progressed from studio company member to apprentice and now dances in the corps de ballet. According to Hird, around 30 percent of the company’s current dancers came through one of its education programs.
Curriculum That Reflects The Sarasota Ballet Company’s Values
Summer intensive students train to the same standards of The Sarasota Ballet company. A typical day runs from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, including technique and classes in classical ballet, variations, repertoire, and pas de deux for older students. Contemporary styles, mime, and hip hop diversify the curriculum. Alongside intense dancing, students cross-train in in Progressing Ballet Technique and Pilates, building the strength a professional career demands.
The exceptional faculty—most of whom are trained or certified in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum—personalize each dancer’s experience. “We establish our intention to connect with each individual and make them feel known during placements on the first day,” says Hird. “We try to place the students based on what their needs are, then ensure they work with a range of teachers who will strengthen them.”
The summer intensive runs two, three, or five weeks, giving faculty time to get to understand each student and tailor instruction to their goals. Students enrolled in the final three weeks or the full program also have the opportunity to perform.
Taking the Stage
Unlike the average in-studio showing, The Sarasota Ballet intensive concludes with a production at the Mertz Theatre at Florida State University’s Center for the Performing Arts. Professional lighting and a live audience make this event special after weeks of rehearsals. Students may perform a range of works, from classical repertoire to contemporary, jazz, or modern pieces.
Watkins recalls how her experience “wasn’t just a little performance where you show what you learned that summer, but rather the technique you’ve learned along the way, the artistry you have built on, and who you are as a dancer.”
Balancing class and rehearsal time also helps dancers experience the discipline of professional life. “During the intensive, going to rehearsals after class taught me to separate different techniques,” says Watkins. “For example, right now we are rehearsing a Balanchine ballet, so during technique class I focus on classical specifics, and then I change it up when rehearsing.”
Training in Paradise
After long days of focused training and rehearsals, students have the chance to relax and explore the unique surroundings of Sarasota. “While training is definitely the priority, we give students a full experience,” says Hird. The intensive offers weekend trips to places like Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios, and more. These excursions give students the chance to bond with their peers, creating friendships that extend beyond the studio.
Auditioning for the Intensive
“During an audition, we are looking for dancers that show potential and express pure enjoyment of dance,” says Hird. “I love to see students who have a desire to learn, regardless of their skill level, as we celebrate the individual progress of each student.”
Auditioning for the intensive offers a chance to step into a world-class training environment that mirrors the company’s professional standards. For dancers ready to push themselves, embrace versatility, and grow in an authentic community, The Sarasota Ballet’s Summer Intensive is where their next chapter begins.
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