Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | D | Dance Magazine

Shop right: trying to choose a summer study program? The more you learn, the better you can gauge the fit. DM talked to the celebrated dance artists in charge of six programs about the distinctive features they offer.

Article Excerpt
SUZANNE FARRELL

Exploring Ballet really does explore the many different aspects of ballet, not just technique in class. I try to help students become more themselves as artists--develop their own identity. It's easy to masquerade behind technique and not reveal anything of yourself, but I believe the more you reveal the more mysterious you become. I also try to get them to move more, inhabit space differently--dance space and musical space.

The students see several performances here at The Kennedy Center, and I always take them to the National Gallery to see some of my favorite paintings--Renaissance paintings and sculptures, Monet, and of course Degas. Then sometimes back at the studio I will give them several phrases of a waltz or march to choreograph a dance using the images, color, texture, and perspective that they saw in the museum.

I believe Diaghilev took Mr. Balanchine to museums when they were working in the early part of the century. And Mr. B took me to museums in Paris--to the Cluny Museum to see the tapestries of The Lady and the Unicorn. It sometimes opens students' eyes to something they wouldn't see if they were only focusing on technique in class. It also gives their feet a break from being on pointe a lot.

SUZANNE FARRELL

Balanchine's last muse and living legend.

Program: Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell

Location: Washington, D.C.

Focus: Ballet

Number of students accepted: 33

Ages: 14 to 18 with at least five years ballet training.

Dates: July 26-August 13, 2005

For more information: www.kennedycenter.org/education/farrell

Special Opportunity: Museum-hopping with Suzanne Farrell

DAN KARATY

As far as picking a program, kids like what they're good at, but while you're still young it's important to taste every style....

View this article FREE - Now for a Limited Time, try Goliath Business News
Free for 3 Days!