Summer Study
Browse through our robust summer dance offerings below:
Summer Dance Intensive | Theme Camps | Adult Ballet | Tune-Up Classes | Pre-K
Summer Dance Intensive
July 13–August 1, 2020
SDI is an intensive summer training program for serious students ages 9-18. Our very own Hartt 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 three-week program culminates in a special showcase of technique development and choreography that is open to family members. Housing options are available.
BALLET - POINTE - REPERTOIRE - MEN'S CLASS - CHARACTER - MODERN - JAZZ - DANCE HISTORY - PAS DE DEUX
Audition with us!February 1, 2020
March 28, 2020
For more information or to sign up for an audition, contact the Hartt Community Division Dance office at 860.768.6000 or dancedesk@hartford.edu.
Audition and Program Information
Audition In Person
Saturday February 1, 2020 | Saturday March 28, 2020
Students aged 9–12:
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m.
Audition runs from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Students aged 13–18:
Registration begins at 12:30 p.m.
Audition runs from 1:00–3:00 p.m.
All in-person auditions take place at the
Handel Performing Arts Center
35 Westbourne Parkway
Hartford, CT 06112
What should I bring to the audition?
- Your completed audition form
- Your $25 audition fee
- Three photos: headshot, tendu a la seconde, first arabesque
Audition Online
Step 1: Download the audition form
Step 2: E-mail completed audition form and link to your YouTube video audition to dancedesk@hartford.edu
Step 3: Mail the $25 audition fee to:
Handel Performing Arts Center
Community Division Dance Department
Room S110
ATTN: Cameron Whitney
35 Westbourne Parkway
Hartford, CT 06112
Checks should be made payable to Hartt School Community Division.
Video Audition Requirements
| Barre Work (one side only) |
Center Work (one side only) |
| Plie | Adagio |
| Battement tendu | Pirouettes |
| Rond de jambe à terre | Petit Allegro |
| Battement fondu | Grand Allergro |
| Grand battement jeté |
| Boys and Men |
Pointe Work (based on student's level) |
| Two turning combinations | Relevé |
| Petit allegro with beats | Enchappé |
| Tours en l'air, single or double | Pirouettes |
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. There is no audition deadline–we will stop accepting applications when the program is full.
Audition by DVD
Step 1: Download the audition form
Step 2: Mail completed audition form, $25 audition fee, and DVD video audition to:
Handel Performing Arts Center
Community Division Dance Department
Room S110
ATTN: Cameron Whitney
35 Westbourne Parkway
Hartford, CT 06112
Checks should be made payable to Hartt School Community Division.
Video Audition Requirements
| Barre Work (one side only) |
Center Work (one side only) |
| Plie | Adagio |
| Battement tendu | Pirouettes |
| Rond de jambe à terre | Petit Allegro |
| Battement fondu | Grand Allergro |
| Grand battement jeté |
| Boys and Men |
Pointe Work (based on student's level) |
| Two turning combinations | Relevé |
| Petit allegro with beats | Enchappé |
| Tours en l'air, single or double | Pirouettes |
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. There is no audition deadline–we will stop accepting applications when the program is full.
The Facility
The Mort and Irma Handel Performing Arts Center, 35 Westbourne Parkway, Hartford, CT, 06112.
This 56,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility provides performance and rehearsal spaces, classrooms, and studios for students in The Hartt School’s Dance and Theatre Divisions, as well as the Hartt Community Division’s Dance Department.
It is a vibrant, new center for dance and theatre instruction and performances at one of the key gateways to the city of Hartford. It has five dance studios, four theatre rehearsal studios, three vocal studios, and two black-box theatres, as well as faculty offices and a community room.
Comfortable dressing and shower facilities are available, and the five spacious dance studios have high ceilings, wooden barres, mirrors, Harlequin multi-layered sprung dance floors, and state-of-the-art sound systems, Smart Boards, and pianos.
Dress Code
FEMALE
- Solid color, short sleeved, camisole, or tank leotard
- Pink convertible tights and pink ballet slippers
- Pointe shoes
- Character shoes (1-1.5” heel)
- Character skirt
MALE
- White leotard or dance shirt and black convertible tights
- White socks and white ballet slippers
No jewelry, dark nail polish, leg warmers, t-shirts, or sweatshirts. Hair must be firmly secured in a bun.
Theme Camps
HCD's summer theme camps include movement, story-telling, and crafts all based on a weekly theme. Students will show family and friends what they learned during an in-studio presentation on the last day of each week. Students are encouraged to sign-up for multiple weeks.
2020 Dates TBA!
Here is an example of themes, based on our 2019 program:
Week 1: Sleeping Beauty and the Prince
Week 2: The Little Mermaid
Week 3: Cinderella
Adult Ballet
The Adult Summer Program (ages 15+) is an eight week session that offers evening classes in ballet. These classes are designed for teens and adults who are interested in an open enrollment, on-going training program at the beginner or intermediate level. Class work strengthens and tones the body, increases flexibility, musicality, balance, and coordination in the context of dance movement.
Students may purchase a single class, a class card, or enroll for the full 8 weeks. Appropriate dance attire of your choice is acceptable for these classes. A suggested dress code can be found here.
Tune-Up Classes
Our tune-up classes help to strengthen your technique over the course of the summer break, preparing you to enter the fall season with your best foot forward!
Classes are open to outside students based on a placement class. All participants must be en pointe.
Pre-K Program
Ages 3–5
The Pre-K Program offers creative movement classes for students aged 3-5. Curriculum includes exercises for rhythm, musicality, balance, coordination and locomotor skills in the context of dance movement. Students will learn how to interact with peers in a classroom environment.
Our Summer Pre-K session runs for eight-weeks and culminates with a special in studio showing that is open for guardian observation. Click here to learn more about our academic year pre-k offerings.
Questions?
Please call the office at 860.768.6000 or e-mail us at dancedesk@hartford.edu.