UW-Stevens Point prepares and welcomes young artists for summer dance enrichment

Young dancers have the opportunity to explore new techniques and skills with decorated instructors in a collegiate setting thanks to a Summer Dance Intensive held each year at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Offered by the Department of Theatre and Dance in partnership with Continuing Education, the intensive is for students ages 13-18 and was recently expanded from a week-long session to two. During the sessions, young performers contribute to the choreographic process, enhance their technique and learn new skills and styles of dance. It offers options for a residential experience and area commuters, with scholarships available as needed.

Theatre and Dance Department Chair Michael Estanich looks forward to offering instruction to more students in the area July 27- Aug. 1 and Aug. 3-8.

"This year due to the high demand for the intensive, we are offering two one-week sessions for ages 13-15 and 16-18," he said. "This is a critical time in a young dancer's development as they practice more complex skills, explore musicality and are introduced to personal artistry. The summer intensive is a time for these dancers to move beyond the simple demonstration of movement and instead experiment with how to bring their personal expression into their dancing."

The experience gives participants a look into dancing at a professional level. A one-of-a-kind opportunity in central Wisconsin, Estanich notes the intensive as an effective recruitment strategy and affordable educational space for local dancers.

"It is a great way to enhance their training while also serving as a recruiting tool for us," he said. "Being able to connect with dancers from the age of 13 provides ample time to introduce them to what dancing in college is like and specifically what dancing at UWSP would be like and how it can support their personal growth and career paths. We aim to serve the region with an affordable opportunity for dancers to train in new ways."

The intensive is mutually beneficial to young area dancers and students in the College of Fine Arts and Communication who act as counselors and mentors. In addition, attendees can take classes from teaching artists with backgrounds in jazz, hip hop and other creative practices. Estanich is among this group of instructors and hopes to teach students new dance language and forms of expression.

"I'm really excited to introduce the dancers to a new movement vocabulary in technique class and then use that movement and their own creativity to create a new work for them to perform at the end of the week," he said.

Faculty in the Department of Theatre and Dance want students to know that the intensive focuses on connection over competition and welcomes young dancers to build new relationships while sharing a love for their craft.

To learn more about the intensive and other summer enrichment opportunities through Continuing Education, visit www3.uwsp.edu/conted/Pages/Camps.aspx.