So you’re getting ready to attend a summer dance intensive and want to get the most out of the experience, then these 10 amazing summer dance intensive tips are for you!
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It’s that time of year where dancers everywhere are getting ready for a fun summer dance intensive. Whether you are traveling ten hours or ten minutes to attend a dance intensive it is important to make the most out of your opportunity. As a dancer that has attended many intensives myself, I’m sharing all of the best tips my friends and I have learned after years of attending summer dance intensives.
You are going to learn all about how to prepare for a summer dance intensive, how to benefit from a summer dance intensive, and more so you can have the best summer dance intensive ever with these tips.
After reading this post you will be ready to conquer and get the most out of your next summer dance intensive.
This post is all about the best summer dance intensive tips
Summer Dance Intensive Tips
1. Prepare
Being prepared for a summer dance intensive is essential to being able to survive it. Make sure you are prepared in every way that you can be.
Before going to your intensive, check any packet or info that they provide including a schedule or packing list to be the most prepared that you can be.
If something in the info packet is not clear, contact someone involved with the intensive for more information. You want to be as prepared as possible for your intensive.
2. Make a Good First Impression
We’ve all heard that first impressions are everything and that tends to be very true, especially in the dance world. Which is why you can’t ignore this summer dance intensive tip!
So when you first arrive to your summer dance intensive make sure you are presentable.
If you have an orientation or need to move into dorms prior to classes beginning try not to look like you have been traveling for hours. You might not need to be dance class or performance ready, but be ready to meet everyone.
If you are starting with dance classes, make sure you are prepared, dressed, and ready for class. Have your hair done and some light makeup on if you feel so inclined.
Making a good first impression can go a long way especially if you are spending a week or more in a new dance environment.
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3. Interact With Your Fellow Dancers
You are going to be spending lots of time with them so make sure you are interacting with your fellow dancers at your summer dance intensive. You might even make some friends.
At my first ever collegiate dance intensive (which actually took place at my now college), I made some friends that I’m actually in college with. Even those that have graduated still stay in touch because of the connections we made at that intensive so long ago.
This is also a chance to network and find new people to connect with in the dance world. You never know when you might audition or dance with these people again so it’s nice to have some good connections or even close friendships.
4. Interact With Your Instructors
Just like interacting with your fellow dancers is important, it is also important to interact with and have a good relationship with your instructors.
Even if you just have them for one class over the course of the entire intensive, it is still valuable to introduce yourself, thank them for class, and interact with them in general.
Sometimes even non-verbal interactions can be powerful, like a smile or a nod in class.
Networking with instructors is even more powerful. They might actually make it on to your dance resume as someone you trained under. If you make a good impression and actually interact with them they will likely remember you and be able to speak on your behalf for future audition or training opportunities.
5. Bring a Notebook
This is probably one of my top tips for all dancers attending a summer dance intensive. Notebooks and dance journals are things that you should always have with you anyways!
They can be incredibly useful for writing down corrections, reminders, and reflecting on your dance classes.
Some intensives will also have lecture classes or workshops where bringing a notebook or journal is necessary.
At a summer dance intensive where you are learning a lot and taking a lot of different classes in a short amount of time, a journal can help you keep track of reflections and things you have learned from each class.
Be Sure to Check Out: How Journaling Will Change Your Life as a Dancer
6. Take Care of Your Body
Dance intensives are called intense for a reason. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be taking care of your body in the process.
Even if your intensive is only a few days you need to take care of your body and prevent injuries during your summer dance intensive. You are likely going to be dancing a lot more than you are used to so it is important to take care of your body.
Make sure you are recovering properly by icing injuries, getting enough sleep, eating properly, and staying hydrated.
I HIGHLY recommend doing and ice bath for your feet and lower legs to ease inflammation and soreness during your intensive. One hack I learned during one of my summer intensives is to use the trash or recycling bin that comes with your dorm if you are staying in one.
To help treat and prevent injuries here are some things I recommend packing for your intensive
- Tiger balm
- Muscle Roller
- Tennis Ball (to help roll muscles)
- Kinesiology Tape (KT tape)
- Knee Pads
- Heating pad
7. Think About Future Opportunities
This is a summer dance intensive tip that not a lot of dancers think about but remember that summer dance intensives can be a jumping off point for future opportunities.
These opportunities can include future intensives, scholarships, or even training opportunities and company positions. Especially if you are a high school aged dancer getting ready to go to college or explore what you’ll do after graduating, summer intensives can give you some amazing insight into your future.
That’s why connecting with faculty and other dancers can be incredibly important at a summer dance program.
While getting ready for your summer intensive, think about how you can use this and other summer dance intensive tips to pursue future opportunities while you are there.
8. Be Smart on Social Media
When you are at your intensive you are in a way representing them on social media. You are also representing yourself.
When at your intensive and even beforehand, don’t post anything you might regret later. Be mindful of what you are posting how that might come across to others in the program, faculty, and even your friends and family.
Also, think about who is in the photos you are posting. Ask permission of others before you post anything and stay smart.
Even if you are spending time on social media, make sure to stay in the moment and embrace your time at the intensive. Any photos you take or posts you want to create can wait until after the intensive.
9. Ask Questions
If you don’t take any of the other summer dance intensive tips then you need to take this one. ASK QUESTIONS at your intensive!
You are there to learn and there are no stupid questions. The only real stupid questions are the ones you fail to ask in the first place.
Most people are new to intensives and are in a new environment so it makes sense to have a few questions.
If you have them ask questions in dance class, ask for directions if you need to find where you are going, and ask questions before you go.
Asking a question hurts no one and can really pay off later on.
10. Remember Why You Are There
To wrap up my ten best summer dance intensive tips I leave you with this one, remember why you are there in the first place.
Every dancer goes to an intensive to learn and gain experience. If you were already a perfect dancer you wouldn’t be there. If any of the dancers at your summer intensive were perfect they wouldn’t be there.
You are also at you summer dance intensive because you love to dance and you want to get better.
Remind yourself of this whenever you get tired or frustrated to help yourself keep going and keep dancing.
Before You Go
I hope you have found some useful information and summer dance intensive tips that you can bring with you to your next summer dance program.
Comment your favorite summer dance intensive tips below in the comments!
This post was all about the best summer dance intensive tips
