The School of Ballet Theatre Company is holding half-day intensive training classes in-person at the West Hartford studio, with an option for remote participation.

Ballet VI students in BTC’s The Dorman Studio. Photo by Tracy Dorman

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The School of Ballet Theatre Company (SBTC), located in West Hartford, will continue to offer high-caliber, professional dance training all summer in week-long intensive sessions. Its next offering will be Half Day Intensives for all six of the school’s training levels starting July 19 and running through Aug. 13. Half Day Intensives will be held in-studio at BTC’s state-of-the-art facility with a virtual option for students who wish to train remotely.

“Summer is the ideal time for students to pursue a dance education. Without academic pressures or busy extracurricular activity schedules, dancers are able to excel at a more rapid pace in technical skill, strength and performance, while exploring a variety of dance styles,” says BTC’s Artistic Director, Stephanie Dattellas.

SBTC recommends that dancers train for several consecutive weeks to support and sustain their dance technique and strength, however, it is understood that not all dancers wish to train in this fashion. Program schedules have been designed to allow dancers the flexibility to train all summer or for selected weeks.

Ballet II students with BTC’s Artistic Director. Photo by Lanny Nagler

SBTC’s Half Day Intensives will run for four weeks, Monday thru Friday. Each week will be separated into two sessions per day; classes held from 9 a.m.-noon will be offered to SBTC’s Ballet I-II levels (or ages 7-11), followed by instruction from 1-4 p.m. for SBTC’s Ballet III-VI levels (or ages 12-18). The intensives will consist of daily ballet technique class, pre-pointe or pointe classes, strength and flexibility training, and a rotating schedule of jazz, contemporary, modern, improvisation, or choreography classes. SBTC’s summer dress code can be found here.

All classes will be taught by SBTC’s professional faculty who train, study, and teach in a variety of styles.

Dattellas adds, “Among the characteristics that make SBTC’s summer training program and faculty attractive is its history of instilling self-confidence in our young artists; we start by meeting them where they are at and empower them to believe in their own potential. Dancers’ bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and our faculty understands that one method of learning doesn’t click for every student. I am proud that our faculty exposes dancers to multiple ballet methodologies.”

SBTC’s Summer Intensives are open to the public and registration is now open. New students who wish to train with SBTC this summer should contact School Administrator, Sydney Hitchell at [email protected] to determine the appropriate class level.

SBTC will continue to implement protocols for in-studio training for the safety of all students, staff and faculty, including temperature checks upon entering the building and face masks required for all. Should there be any changes to current policies, BTC will communicate updates with registered students and their families accordingly.

Ballet Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. It is supported in part by the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Office of the Arts, The Greater Hartford Arts Council, The Hoffman Foundation, The Long Foundation, The Ensworth Charitable Foundation, The Edward C and Ann T Roberts Foundation, Laurel Graphic Design, Cricket Press and We-Ha.com.

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