For the last two weeks the Girlies have been going to the summer workshop offered by their dance school. I love summer workshop for them because they get to experience a smaller group of dancers in their class with a wider range of age, race, and skill level. I also like it because they get a more intensive course of study that really pushes them to learn and grow so quickly. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that they love it too.
Most days at summer workshop include an hour of ballet, an hour of some other dance/craft/dance history, and then an hour of ballet rehearsal. This year the girls were able to take ballet from 3 different instructors as well as jazz, lyrical jazz, character, pantomime, african, and stretch. In the past they have also gotten instruction in hip hop, hula, and modern. At the end of the summer session the school puts on a performance at the studio in which each level of girls gets to perform.
This year Bug was the oldest in her dance level by two years, with Bit being the second oldest. This presented Bug with some challenges because she is used to being on the younger end in her dance classes, not the older end. In the beginning she was embarassed to be "with the babies" but she quickly realized it was fun having so many younger dancers look up to her. She also realized that having more dance experience than the rest of the class let her skills really shine.
This is Bug in fifth position during the final performance.
Here's Bug doing ron de jambe a terre.
Here's Bug doing a releve' in fifth position at the start of her "solo". Being the oldest she got to do some things the other kids didn't get to do. She was very excited about that.
Here's Bitty in fifth position. She had a small spotlight role as well. It was all very exciting.
The day after the performance was a fun day at the dance studio. The girls had a second visit from the very wonderful Ms. Katrisha who teaches African dance and they had a talent show and the dance olympics. By the time the day was over they could hardly move they were so tired.
I have many more pictures of the dance performance, of the lovely little ones and the fantastic big girls. I'll save those for tomorrow.