The Summer Intensive Acceptance Letter Is Not Always What Meets The Eye

How to spot real value without getting dazzled by the logo

Let’s just say the quiet part plainly: in the economy today, the arts world is under fire. This reality has to influence how we advise dancers and families to wisely invest time, money, and energy. When we were training, getting into certain intensives felt like a gold star. Now we’re seeing wider nets and more “yes” emails going out because those programs need bodies in the studio. Sometimes that “yes” still reflects high standards. Sometimes it reflects a spreadsheet. Both can be true but it's hard to decipher.

What we want dancers to understand is that an acceptance letter is not a full evaluation. The staff of any given program only get to see you for a brief amount of time, and are looking through many new faces all in one class. Acceptance into one program is not a career forecast. It’s an opportunity. The real question—is whether that opportunity will help you in your individual journey. 

As teachers and training program directors, we care about the quality and substance of training. Do you get corrected in a way that’s specific and useful? Are the classes a sensible size so that you can be invested in? Who is the staff, and who will you get the opportunity to work with day to day? And what is the studio culture like? We want dancers in rooms that build them up.

And then there’s your financial investment. Going away for summer intensive can be a financial sacrifice. If a program is expensive, the value has to be there in the training, the coaching, and the structure. We want to see growth from the summer intensive and want to advise and support the best use of your resources. We're on your dancer's team!

Next in the series, we’ll talk about the job market—why it feels tighter, and what dancers can do about it without spiraling.

Next in the series, we’ll talk about the job market—why it feels tight, and practical advice for what dancers can do.

- Miranda Rubio Opsal, School Principal & Sarah Clarke, Conservatory and Trainee Program Director