In the past few months, local dance studios—much like other establishments—have continued to keep their doors shut, canceled year-end performances and transitioned to virtual learning.
In order to keep the rhythm alive for kids living in the “new normal,” Metropolitan School of the Arts has launched virtual summer camps, encouraging kids to keep moving from home.
Camp offerings through the end of August consist of mini camps, designed for age groups of 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as 5- to 7-year-olds, varying in subjects from Disney’s Toy Story and Frozen II to “Color Me Crazy” and “Backyard Palooza.” Camps are Monday through Friday and run for 30 minutes to one hour per session.
Camp MSA, designed for 7- to 12-year-olds, has also moved online this year with several themed offerings, including Disney’s Descendants, So You Think You Can Dance, Harry Potter and more. These virtual camps are two hours per session and include themed material, dance techniques, vocal training, choreography rehearsals and more. Plus, students can look forward to a final “performance” to show all they’ve learned at the end of the week.
For older students, Metropolitan School of the Arts is also offering three pre-professional workshops, including an intensive on musical theater, ballet intensive camps and the FLY Dance Intensive.
The musical theater intensive includes 20 masterclass faculty from across the country that will help students engage in choreography, vocal skills and more. Each day will include three hours of breakout workshops, and will be held from Monday, July 13 to Friday, July 17. Students must be at least 9 years old to register.
As for the FLY Dance Intensive, even from home, students will be challenged to reach their highest potential. The workshop will be offered from Monday, July 20 to Friday, July 24 and Monday, July 27 to Friday, July 31, featuring 20 masterclass faculty from across the country and faculty from Metropolitan School of the Arts. Students must be 9 to 18 years old and have completed ballet, jazz and tap (level two).
Lastly, summer ballet camps will take place in early August and help students perfect their technical proficiency and execution of classical ballet from home. The camp will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day (Monday through Friday) with a one-hour lunch break, and students must be 9 years old or older , having completed at least one year of level two ballet. A ballet boot camp and mini ballet camp are also being offered for primarily younger and older students.
If your little dancer is just looking to get back on stage, they’re going to have to wait a little while longer, but joining Metropolitan School of the Arts all summer long will keep them entertained (and well rehearsed) for when the time comes around again. // Metropolitan School of the Arts: 5775 Barclay Drive, Suite Four, Alexandria
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