Summer Dance Intensive 2023

July 17–August 12, 2023
Summer Dance Intensive (SDI) is an intensive summer training program for serious students aged 8-22. Our very own Hartt Community Division faculty are joined by renowned guest teachers to provide a well-rounded curriculum that challenges dancers to push past their limits and grow in their craft.
The Intensive offers training in the following genres:
- Ballet
- Character
- Conditioning
- Contemporary
- Dance History
- Jazz
- Men's Classes
- Modern
- Pointe
- Repertoire
- Variations
Auditions
Auditions are offered in person or via online/DVD. Please review the instructions below.
Please note: Current HCD Dance students enrolled in the Ballet Program are not required to audition. They will receive their summer placement in the spring evaluations.
Dates
January 28, 2023 and February 25, 2023
Location
The Mort and Irma Handel Performing Arts Center
35 Westbourne Parkway, Hartford, CT 06112
Schedule
Audition Class 1 (ages 8-10): 12:30-1:45 p.m.
Audition Class 2 (ages 11-13): 2:00-3:00 p.m., 3:00-3:30 p.m. (pointe, if applicable)
Audition Class 3 (ages 14-22): 3:45-5:15 p.m., 5:15-5:45 p.m. (pointe)
To Register
- Complete the Audition Form.
- Email completed form and audition photos to dancedesk@hartford.edu.
- Pay the $25.00 audition fee online, in person at the time of audition, or via mail. Checks should be made payable to the University of Hartford and mailed to:
To Register
- Complete the Audition Form.
- Email completed form, audition photos, and link to your video audition to dancedesk@hartford.edu OR mail them to the address below.
- Pay the $25.00 audition fee online or via mail. Checks should be made payable to the University of Hartford and mailed to:
Video Requirements
- Video submission should be approximately 15-20 minutes in length.
- Videos do not need to be professionally films, but should show the student’s full body clearly.
- Videos can be filmed in a dance studio or home spaces.
- At the beginning of the video, you should introduce yourself and state your age, the number of year(s) of ballet/dance study, the number of years of pointe work (if applicable), the name(s) of your current school and teacher(s), and any previous summer intensive programs, festivals, and/or international ballet competitions in which you have participated.
Dance Requirements
Barre Work (one side only)
- Plie
- Battement tendu
- Rond de jambe à terre
- Battement fondu
- Grand battement jeté
Center Work (one side only)
- Adagio
- Pirouettes
- Petit Allegro
- Grand Allegro
Pointe Work (based on students level)
- Relevé
- Enchappé
- Pirouttes
Boys and Men
- Two turning combinations
- Petit allegro with beats
- Tours en l'air, single or double
Younger students may omit the above and submit a video consisting of five minutes of barre work and five minutes of center work appropriate for their level of training.
*We understand that some students who do not have access to a studio or suitable space may not be able to include all requested exercises.
Schedule
Students are encouraged to participate in all four weeks of the intensive, however they can choose however many weeks work best for them.
Morning Program:
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Afternoon Program:
Monday-Friday, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Location

Hartt Community Division’s Summer Dance Intensive will be held at:
The Mort and Irma Handel Performing Arts Center
35 Westbourne Parkway, Hartford, CT 06112
Showcase
There will be a showcase following Week 4 of the intensive: Saturday, August 12.
Students must be registered for Week 4 in order to participate in the showcase, however they are not guaranteed to participate if only registered for Week 4.
Tuition
Register by June 1 to receive 20% off!
Morning Program:
$350.00 per week
Afternoon Program:
$600.00 per week
If you are in need of financial assistance to participate in the Summer Dance Intensive, please complete a Need-Based Scholarship Application form.