The Girls of Summer: Ridgefield Dancers Attend Summer Intensives

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Summer dance intensives are important for dancers to hone their technique and artistry. After participating in virtual intensive programs last summer, several students at The Ridgefield School of Dance packed their bags and pointe shoes and headed around the country for much anticipated in-person programs.

Students did not know back in January/February when auditions took place for highly sought after spots in prestigious programs if the programs would end up being run remotely or in-person. All the students that submitted audition videos were accepted into exceptional programs that focus their training on classical ballet.

Two of the studio's Ballet Company dancers, Sophia Dotterer of Ridgefield and Audrey Carr of New Canaan, travelled to Pittsburgh Ballet and Charlotte Ballet respectively. Both dancers participated in these programs remotely last summer. Company members Phoebe Levitt and Isabella Raduazzo, both of Ridgefield, are currently spending time with the Eastern Connecticut Ballet in East Lyme.

Seventh grader and Ridgefield resident student Camille Baum travelled to Chautauqua, N.Y., attending the Chautauqua School of Dance Intensive Workshop.

The New York City campus of The School of American Ballet hosted fifth graders Lily Skirkanich of Ridgefield and Nola Hargrove of Pound Ridge, N.Y.

Another Ridgefield fifth grader, Lily Meyerhoff, headed into Manhattan to participate in the Bolshoi Ballet Summer Intensive.

“Having been only able to engage in the summer intensive experience last year remotely, our dancers have been so excited and had such joy in participating in in-person programs this summer," said Ridgefield School of Dance director Alison Brown said. "We work on technique all year but having this intensive opportunity when students are not juggling school work and everyday activities allows them to really focus on their dance training."

The dancers were fortunate to participate in the studio's spring performance of The Four Seasons, and Exhale presented at The Klein in Bridgeport. All their training over the years and commitment to dance has certainly been a factor in their acceptance into such excellent summer intensive programs.