SUMMER DANCE PROGRAMS

Summer training can make a significant difference in a dancer's advancement.  Without the school year's academic and other competing priorities, dance can be your main focus.  And, our bodies work much better with year round training.  You've heard of "muscle memory" - it's particularly important when you are asking your body to conform and stretch in ways it is only used for dance.  Most of all, it's a fun way to stay active.

SUMMER DANCE CLASSESWe will offer weekly classes to keep up with your training over the summer.  We will offer up to 8 weeks of class from June 24 to August 15.  Register for as many weeks as you are available and we will prorate your tuition.  Students should take classes at their current level except for those who will be transitioning from Discovery to Ballet 1 (those enterring 1st grade in fall whether they have prior training or not) and those invited to begin transition to pointe.  For our transitioning students, we offer Ballet 1 Prep on Tuesdays at 4:30. Those inivited to pointe will have more details on class times and options in their invitation letters expected to be mailed by August 15.  Click for schedule.

SUMMER INTENSIVE

 Ideal start to summer training for advanced dancers and those intermediate dancers working to become advanced dancers.  Intensive is offered during the first weeks of summer allowing dancers to use this program to kick off their summer training and prepare for other summer intensives they may be attending.

This year's instructors:
Tina Bohnstedt - Bavarian State Ballet/Houston Ballet, former partner of Mr. Underwood's who is joining the staff at Studio of Dance
Anna Spellman - ABT - Colleague of Robert's from ABT, visiting teacher. ABT National Curriculum certified.
Robert Underwood - ABT and ABT National Curricualum certified.
Laurie Claypool - MS Dance, RYT Yoga Alliance
Alisa Paradowski - Joffrey - Alum of AJCD, visiting from New York where she performs and teaches at Pace
Max Jones - The Met - Alum of AJDC, trains and performs locally and joining the staff at Studio of Dance

More details in brochure.

junior INTENSIVE

A summer intensive dance experience just for you.   Designed for dancers who have complete 8 and older to see what summer intensives are all about but who need a less intense version.  This fun training will take place along side our Summer Intensive with classes by Robert Underwood and Cece White from Noon - 2:45 Monday, June 17th through Thursday, June 20th with show on Friday, June 21st. See brochure.

ballet STORY CAMP

For preschoolers through those who finished Kindergarten, this is a great camp on June 24-June 27.  Dancers learn about a different classical ballet story each day and their activities center on that story in a 3 hour session each day.  Each day includes dancing, crafts and costumes. At the end of each day, kids dance with one of our resident ballerinas and learn steps from that ballet.  In studio show for friends and family on Thursday. Camp is from 9 a.m to noon with show at 11 a.m. on Thursday.  Afternoon session may be added if morning session fills. See brochure.

NEW - NUTCRACKER WORKSHOP

This will be Ballet Theatre Houston's 7th year producing the family favorite The Nutcracker.  The performances will be at The Berry Center the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Each year, children in 1st through 6th grade are invited to audition for the children's cast.  This year, on Tuesday, August 6 to Thursday, August 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be a Nutcracker Workshop.  Children will learn the story and dances from The Nutcracker and possibly be part of creating a new dance for this year's performances.  Children are not required to sign up for The Nutcracker but those who do will not need to audition.  Come enjoy Christmas in August. See flyer.

RUSSIA TRIP 2013
train with open world dance foundation in st. petersburg, russia - july 16 to august 4, 2013

Fort the third summer, Mr. Underwood will travel to Russia along with students to experience the excellence of Russian ballet training. The trip will again be coordinated by Miss Ekaterina Shchelkanova. 

Instructors include some of the worlds most renowned teachers and dancers including Alla Osipenko and  Irina Trofimova who were trained by Vaganova. Please visit their website at www.openworlddancefoundation.com. 

Pictures are from 2011 trip to Bolshoi Academy. Students who attended noted a significant change in their technique, their perspective and their passion for dance.  Robert has noted that his 2012 trip to Sochi, Russia was "the best thing he has done for his career in years."

BALLET THEATRE HOUSTON

Ballet Theatre Houston is a pre-professional, non-profit ballet company including local dance students and artists in residence. Artistic Director, Robert Underwood, combines his knowledge, choreography skills and professional ballet network to provide dancers with increased opportunities to train and perform and gives our community the opportunity to develop a passion for dance through annual productions of "The Nutcracker" and a spring show that combines restaging of ballet classics and world premiers.

The 2013 Spring Show will include a staging of Fokine's Les Sylphides.  The show will be held at Richard E Berry Center on Sunday, May 5th.  More information coming soon. Special group ticket pricing will be available to Girl Scout troops and community groups. Once tickets go on sale in April, visit our home page for a link to the on-line ticketing site. For information on our Girl Scout program or group tickets, call 281-444-4566.

Ballet Theatre Houston will present its 7th annual "The Nutcracker" at Richard E Berry Center, 8877 Barker-Cypress Road, Cypress, TX 77433 on November 22 & 23, 2013.  The Saturday matinee performance coincides with the Sugarplum Market.  What a great start to your holiday season! Each year we hold auditions for our children's cast - dancers with ballet training from 1st grade thru 6th grade. NEW - Join us for our Nutcracker Workshop in August for those interested in preparing for auditions and learning more about the traditions behind The Nutcracker and our production.

American Jazz Dance Company

Dancers at Studio of Dance have the opportunity to be part of AJDC.  A non-profit, competitive dance team open to dancers five and up, Cece White founded the company more than 30 years ago.  AJDC has produced professional dancers, choreographers and teachers actively working in the industry today.

The 2012-13 team began rehearsing over the summer.  There is room for more dancers interested in taking their training to the next level.  Let Tawnya or Cece know you are interested.

Ballet Theatre Houston offers a program to inspire younger dancers to love dance.  Each child is matched with a Big Sister at the first event in October.  In December, there will be Nutcracker Tea at the studio where Petite Patrons will get to see our dancers in costume up close and learn steps from the show.  In February, another event will be held and the final event in late April/May will be to learn a dance for them to perform in the recital together with their big sisters. The program is fun for all ages from those in our Discovery Classes through those who are looking forward to going up on pointe in the next year or two.

Registration is $40 for the first family member and $20 for each additional sibling.  Contact the studio to register.