The Summer School of the American Academy of Ballet
"It is a dream come true to work with such high level professionals."
Alesander Gershburg, Israel
"We are thankful to have worked with such amazing and talented teachers."
Kelsey Lerbach, California
These comments by 2 of the students at the 2006 Summer School of the American Academy of Ballet are intrinsic to its sub-title "School of Excellence" - a tradition that has been lovingly nurtured by its founder, and director, Mignon Furman.
It was Sergei Diaghilev, of the famed Ballets Russes who is reputed to have said, "I am not a demanding person: the best is quite good enough for me".
Furman has embraced his philosophy by inviting some of the best ballet teachers in the world to teach at her Summer School.
Anne Marie Vessels Schluter left her post as Director of the Royal Danish Ballet School for one week to teach at Summer School, for the first time this year.
Her Copenhagen charm in manner: and the Bournonville style in technique enthralled the students who were fortunate enough to be the only group in the United States to be taught the pas de six from Napoli by the person who not only danced as principal dancer in the Royal Danish Ballet, but who also coached successive dancers of the company in the distinctive, yet elusive technicalities of Bournonville.
Both Galina Samtsova and Violette Verdy have been guests at previous Summer Schools of the AAB. Both have illustrious careers as principal dancers: Galina Samtsova with the English National Ballet and Violette Verdy with the New York City Ballet, before being appointed Director of the Paris Opera Ballet School. Since retiring from dancing, they have both been teaching and coaching all over the world in the nuances of the classical ballets.
The students revered the care with which the classical excerpts were re-created; and splendidly met the expectations in performance of these world-renowned teachers.
"In the final analysis, the reasons for Summer School are teachers," said Furman. "Not all dancers are teachers-a notable example would be Margot Fonteyn. That is why I do not invite dancers, no matter their reputation as dancers, unless their teaching abilities are as proven as their dancing".
David Howard is well-known in the USA, and equally well-known by the many international companies to which he has been invited to teach: notably the Royal Ballet and the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Another teacher at Summer School with an international reputation is Brian Loftus from England who teaches extensively in London, Paris, Los Angeles and Kyoto, Japan.
In addition, there were teachers on the faculty who have graduated from in-depth teachers training courses- or who have become experienced teachers following their retirement as dancers from famous companies like American Ballet Theater, or New York City Ballet.
The results of this remarkable accumulation of talent in one place was the exceptional Gala Performance at the beautiful theater on the Purchase College campus. In addition to regular classes, and in only three weeks, a 2 _ hour program of dance was produced - classical excerpts, original choreography, jazz, and character.
"Every student danced in the program," said Furman. "I do not select only the best. I believe that the end purpose of instruction is performance. I was thrilled with the students. Often, they looked like dancers in a professional company".
The Gala performance was one of six performance opportunities for the students who enroll for the full six-week program.
Two performances were allocated to the Performance Awards - a program conceived and formulated by Furman that is unique to the AAB. Her Summer School is the only one in the USA where students gain immeasurably by their participation. They receive extra coaching for their solo dances which they perform before an audience.
To achieve a gold medal is a factor that inspires the technical and performance endeavors of the students. An equally important factor is Furman's choreography which is extremely musical, innovative, and a delight to dance.
The Performance Award program is taught by some 100 teachers in the USA, and in Japan, Mexico, Israel, Ireland, Holland, Greece, England, South Africa, and the Bahamas.
The Summer School of the American Academy of Ballet is not only dance. Other components that build its success are:
MUSICIANS
Again, Furman invites excellent musicians to accompany the classes.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Students have no "free" time to wander aimlessly around the College campus. They enthusiastically participate in the many extra-curricular programs including seeing two Broadway shows.
DISCIPLINE
A high level of social behavior, and discipline in the classes are expected by Furman. The students' response has a positive effect on the progress they make. House-mothers in the dormitory building, solely occupied by the AAB; student counselors; and a full-time nurse are a part of the infra structure that ensures the smooth organization of the Summer School.
Other programs at Summer School are:
TEACHERS' INTENSIVE
This is a 6-day program where teachers attend talks and discussions on various aspects of ballet pedagogy,
such as Beginning Pointe Work;
The Teaching of Young Children; and Common Faults and Their Remedies.
The teachers' Intensive was "completely valuable" according to Lisa Sutton, a teacher in Burbank CA. "So many new programs were taught to us, which provided me with fresh materials, and different approaches to the teaching of children," she said.
Networking with teachers from all over the world was "very inspiring" for Gina Chiavelli a teacher in Stormsville, NY. Teachers attending the program came from all over the USA, as well as from Korea, Singapore, Ireland, and Greece.
Lisan Dingman-Nagy returned to her home in Canada with the Performance Awards program which she found "refreshing and new." She also met the "wonderful teachers from all over the world" and found it "reassuring to discuss different situations which we all come across as teachers of ballet."
Other programs which are part of the Teachers' Intensive were:
BALLET STEPS
Furman has composed three programs graded according to the age of young dancers from 5 to 8 and called First, Second and Third Steps. Drawing on her experience of more than 30 years in the teaching of children, university graduates, and teachers, Furman's programs clearly outline what children of various ages could be expected to achieve, and the methodology involved in those achievements. Her program Tots to Teens is an extension of the earlier programs.
THE ENCHANTED DOORWAY
This program has been devised by Merle Sepel, a teacher in Santa Ana, California. It is focused on the child aged 3 to 5. Specially composed music and sound effects make it an "enchanting" beginning to the young child's introduction to ballet.
JUNIOR PROGRAM
For a week prior to the Summer School, Furman has arranged a special program for the dancers who are too young to attend the Summer School proper. Five teachers instruct the dancers (from age 8 to 10) during the daily five-hour program, culminating in a demonstration of work in a small theater on campus. Parents have brought their children from as far as Texas, and California to participate in the program.
BOYS
The boys (28 at this year's summer school) attend the general classes, but also have pas de deux and special boy's classes.
Every year the standard of performance at the Gala Performance rises. It is a tribute to the vision, choreographic talents, organizing ability, and single-mindedness of its Director Mignon Furman, who has seen her Summer School endeavors grow from 80 students to more than 400 over the years.
As a student wrote about Furman in the book compiled by the students, and presented to her "You are an inspiration to all of us."
W.S. Kaplan danced in England. He was the ballet, and theater critic for newspapers, and magazines in Cape Town.