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Thoughts From the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive Program in Alabama

Charles Maple, Director of the Maple Conservatory of Dance

June 27, 2007

I got up pretty early Saturday morning to catch a plane to Alabama for the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive Program that I direct at the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa. I have been coordinating the artistic direction of that program for the past seven years. Seeing my ABT summer colleagues again and working with the dancers at the SI program has always made for an informative, stimulating and enriching experience.

Two beautiful studios are located in this Univ. of Alabama building

But, how strange it was to leave the Maple Conservatory of Dance after an exciting opening month. It's hard to believe that our Conservatory has come so far in such a short time. Thank you all for your support and for believing in Kathy Crade and me and that we could make this happen together. It is truly a miracle!

So here I am at my other job. As you may already know, ABT now has six summer program locations: New York, Michigan, Texas, California, Alabama, and our newest location in Bermuda. ABT's summer program in New York was their first program, and ABT's summer program in Alabama was their first summer program outside of New York, and that was over ten years ago.

Demonstrating eye-to-hand movements

I work in Alabama with Richard Richards who is the University of Alabama Coordinator. I call him "the glue" because he puts it all together to ensure a smooth and successful program here at the University.

This year I have selected for my summer program faculty: Amy Rose, Lorin Johnson, Denise Warner Limoli, Carla Lippert, Rita Snyder and Gage Bush. Each of these teachers form the nucleus of a great team and offers the students a feast of valuable information and insights into their dance training. (Note that Amy and Lorin will be returning to California after ABT's Alabama program to teach at our Maple Conservatory Summer Intensive Program in July.)

Besides their daily technique classes, the students have the opportunity to learn various repertoire from ABT's classical repertoire and to work with a choreographer on an original piece of choreography.

Lorin Johnson teaching Repertoire on Day One

This past Sunday was placement day. The faculty and I divide the students into five different levels. It is tedious and time-consuming work to make sure that we have the students placed correctly. Tomorrow we will review all of the students again in their individual classes to make sure that we have placed them in the right levels. We make any changes in level placement at that time to make sure the students get the most out of our summer program.

The hardest day: Placement with Rita and Denise

The spirit of what we do here at this ABT Summer Intensive is a journey in learning. Teacher-to-dancer, dancer-to-teacher, dancer-to-dancer, and dancer-to-parent. We all learn from each other. At the end of these three weeks, the dancers will feel invigorated, inspired, and very, very tired! But, they will also have gained many tools to help them meet the challenges of further developing their talents.

Tomorrow the work begins…

Good luck to all of the dancers who are attending other summer intensive programs throughout the country! Dancers, approach your work with enthusiasm and take this wonderful opportunity to learn from the other dancers. Please come back not only strong, but healthy!

Blue Level (I'm in there, can you find me?)

Teaching the Green Level

Teaching the Blue Level

Charles A. Maple
Director, Maple Conservatory of Dance
Email: info@mapleconservatory.com