Dancers ready for intense summer
RWB summer dance program a homecoming for local talent
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This article was published 25/04/2017 (3203 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Sophia and Madison Burnell are passing on flip flops this summer in favour of ballet slippers.
The 10-year-old twins from Linden Woods will be spending part of their holiday in the studio with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) as part of its summer dance intensive program.
The RWB’s summer dance intensive is a non-auditioned program for dancers aged nine to 18 looking to get a leg up on their training in the off season. Heading into their third year attending the two week camp, Sophia and Madison say they know they’ll come out of the program feeling more confident in their technique and will probably pick up a few friends along the way.
“When we went there the first or second time, I realized when we learn a move there, and then we learn it at dance, we know it better,” Madison, who’s been dancing with the RWB since age five, said.
“The real growth of it is just learning to be a better dancer and learning different cultures of dance.”
“My goal is to try to get better at dance and I really want to work on my ballet,” added Sophia.
“My main joy is when I get something wrong a lot and then the one time when I get it right because the teachers correct me… I like the feeling when I get it right.”
Nicole Kepp, principal of the recreational division with the RWB, explained that the summer dance intensive program takes students through lessons that may be spread out over six weeks under normal circumstances. The condensed practice schedule, coupled with some students staying in residence and a mixed bag of repertoire, makes for an immersive training opportunity.
“Our goal is to create a fun learning environment for the students however it does follow the aesthetics of a classical ballet classroom,” Kepp said. “All of our classes have live accompaniment. There’s a certain level of professionalism that we expect from all of our students.”
The RWB has invited former Winnipegger Josh Assor back to the city to help instruct this year’s sessions.
Assor, 28, graduated from Grant Park High School in 2006 and has since gone on to make a name for himself on the Broadway circuit.
“He started out as a student just like a lot of the kids who could be attending this program,” Kepp said. “We feel that this program creates a base for their training and Josh is an example of where hard work can take them.”
Assor recently wrapped up work as assistant choreographer with the Saturday Night Fever North American tour (which made a stop in Winnipeg) and earlier this month appeared on Saturday Night Live during a skit with host Jimmy Fallon.
“It was amazing to be on live national television and dance with Jimmy Fallon and be on such an iconic show,” Assor said over the phone from New York City. “It’s kind of like a New York dancer’s bucket list item.”
Before breaking into the world of performing arts, Assor said he considered a career as an architect. It wasn’t until he was 14-years-old that he considered dance as something he could carry into his future, and not until he was 17 that he knew that theatre and jazz would become a professional practice for him.
“The one thing that I always tell young dancers is to be open to what comes your way,” Assor said. “The way you think your path is going to be is always different.”
While back in his home town, Assor said he hopes to introduce performers to New York-style theatre jazz and expects his classes to emphasize technique and style.
“I’m excited. For me it’s my favourite —I’m always in Canada teaching all over the country — but there’s always something special about coming back to Winnipeg, because it’s where I grew up and where I trained,” he said.
For more information about the RWB’s summer programming go to rwb.org