The Pre-Professional Dancer Institute is a carefully designed experience consisting of classes, workshops, individual critique, personal and career exploration/goal-setting and other educationally and socially enriching outings. All activities are designed to better prepare students for the rigors of professional dance and performing arts education. Classes (ballet, contemporary, modern, theatre dance, african/haitian, improvisation, pointe/men’s), panels, and discussions will run full days, with social and cultural outings planned for the Saturday and Sunday evenings.
A SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS: Parents are an important part of their young dancer’s journey and thus an important part of PDI. Parents and guardians are invited to all of Thursday evening’s activities, numerous workshops, and the closing session on Monday. PDI also opens up classes throughout the weekend for parents to observe. And in what has become a highlight of the program, Director Francisco Gella will host a parent reception on late Friday afternoon.
*Schedule subject to change
Thursday, August 29
6pm-7pm Check-in
7pm-8:30pm Orientation and Kick-Off (Parents Invited)
8:30-9pm Career Planning Perspectives: Making the Most of Your PDI Experience (Parents Invited)
Friday, August 30
9am – 7pm
Barre Work I
* Regular barre sequence from plie to grande battements interspersed with conditioning and stretching elements designed under Francisco Gella Dance Work’s methodology
Center Barre Work I
*Tendu, Adagio, Pirouette Prep Drills, Grande Battement
Across The Floor Work I
*Waltz, Petite Jumps, Petite Allegro, Grande Allegro and Coda
Modern Technique
Jazz Technique
Mindfulness and Meditation for Dancers
*4:30pm – 6pm – Parent Social with Director Francisco Gella
Saturday, August 31
9am – 6pm
Morning Warm-up (outdoors)
Barre Work II
* Regular barre sequence from plie to grande battements interspersed with conditioning and stretching elements designed under Francisco Gella Dance Work’s methodology
Center Barre Work II
*Tendu, Adagio, Pirouette Prep Drills, Grande Battement
Across The Floor Work II
*Waltz, Petite Jumps, Petite Allegro, Grande Allegro and Coda
Injury Prevention Workshop
Career Exploration and Goal-Setting Workshop
Theatre Dance Performance Techniques
African/Haitian Dance Class
8-9:30p
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Performance at the Lensic Theatre
9:30-10p
Meet and Greet with the Company Backstage
Sunday, September 1
9am – 7pm
Ballet
Contemporary Ballet
Modern Rep
Careers in Dance Panel
Individual Performance Critique
*Each dancer is asked to bring a 2-3 minute solo which will be critiqued by the faculty and peers
Debrief with entire institute group and the faculty
7:30-10p
Evening all-student social back at the Drury Inn Rooftop Hotel
Monday, September 2
9am – 1pm
Morning Large Group Warm-up
Improv: Discovering Your Voice
Presentation: College & University Dance Programs (parents invited)
Professional Career Paths (parents invited)
Wrap-up and Goodbyes