In January the 2nd International Summer School hit Sydney for two outstanding weeks. Hosted at The McDonald College, the students were able to attend either week one or week two of the program, with senior students given the option of an intense two week course.

The International Summer School is the wonderful vision of Jacqui Dumont, who’s career has taken her through many prestigious dance companies and schools. Jacqui’s commitment to the next generation of dancers is truly evident through the training that she makes available at the Summer School. Jacqui has worked with the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company, The Royal Ballet School and the Australian Ballet School, to name a few. Her connections in the dance industry allow her to bring some fantastic teachers from around the globe to Sydney to inspire and instruct the eager students.

This year the international guests included Cynthia Harvey (ABT and Royal Ballet), Steve Rooks (Vassar College, New York), Antonio Vargas (Strictly Ballroom) and Jane Devine (The Royal Ballet). The international stars were also joined by our home grown talent in Allan Cross (Australian Ballet), Josephine Jason (English National Ballet), Katie Pianoff (The Royal Ballet) and Sarah Roe (The Royal Ballet). Stephen Clarke (Rasputin/Evita), Paul Boyd (Queensland Ballet), Mary Grotto Auer (Ballet Concert), Jane Kesby (Deutsche Oper Berlin), Kate Fitzgerald (Adv. Dip of Dance Teaching, ABS), and Kenneth Norman and Jacqui Johnson (Choreocraft and The Royal Ballet) also made up the amazing teaching faculty.

The variety of classes available to students this year was extremely vast and varied, covering many genres. This was so valuable for all students whether they were serious about pursuing dance as a career or were more just enjoying dance as a hobby, as it

gave them the opportunity to try new styles and
techniques. There were classes available in ballet, jazz, contemporary, repertoire, character, Spanish, mime, choreography, stretch and pilates. For the older students there were specific coaching classes, the girls enjoyed pointe and the boys had special coaching sessions. Viewing many of the classes I could see the great depth of knowledge that the experienced teachers had to offer the students.

The length and design of many of the classes allowed students to finish whole dances that they performed at a concert at the end of the week, to showcase their work to their parents. The concert really highlighted just how much the students had learnt over the week, and allowed them to perform several pieces in different genres. It was really exciting to see how much the teachers were able to stretch the students. Some of the highlights were classes that performed dances from various ballet repertoire and solos performed by the senior students. The character and Spanish performances definitely showed the diversity of what the students had learnt and the jazz and contemporary displays left us all wanting to get up and join in! My personal favorite was the Pas de deux class display as they performed a series of partnering exercises taught to them by Allan Cross & Josephine Jason. It was wonderfully and professionally pieced together. Many of the students had never learnt partnering techniques before, yet they did an amazing job, showing off the students’ potential. At the concert students were also encouraged with many awards sponsored by Bloch Australia. Scholarships to next year’s Summer School were given out to lucky students who showed great potential.

The 2008 International Sumer School had the honour of hosting Cynthia Harvey as a special guest teacher (see her interview). She was an obvious favourite amongst the students. Having an opportunity to be taught by someone of such experience and knowledge was a real inspiration to the young dancers. Witnessing Ms.Harvey’s classes was a great experience also from a teacher’s perspective. The coaching classes were fantastic and the students worked very diligently. Steve Rooks from New York was also popular amongst the students. His contemporary classes really stretched every dancer and exposed them to a new style of choreography.

A mid week highlight for the students was an afternoon with David McAllister, Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet. The session was a rare opportunity for students and teachers to be inspired by McAllister and ask questions. McAllister was very honest and informative about the life and challenges of a professional dancer. I was very glad to hear that his advice to the dancers was to finish their education! As we all know the life of a dancer is short without injuries, and having an education is a must. The afternoon session was very educational for both the students and parents, especially for those parents who have not been involved in the dance industry themselves.

Another highlight was a fantastic mid week cocktail party where all of the students, parents and teachers were able to meet and greet one another. At the cocktail party, held at the Novetel Olympic Park, students and parents were able to meet and learn a little more about each of the teaching faculty and special guests, as well the Board of Directors from McDonald College, and the summer schools sponsors, Bloch. At the party guests witnessed an impromptu interview between David McAllister and Cynthia Harvey. It was very entertaining and enlightening. They both shared their dance journeys with us.  It was really touching to see David McAllister much more interested in asking Ms. Harvey questions than sharing his own story. Each had so much to say, personally I could have sat and listened for hours.

In closing, the International Summer School is a great investment for any young budding dancer. Students should be ready to be worked very hard and be stretched mentally and physically. They will leave full to the brim with inspiration and excitement for their dance year ahead!
Look out for ISS 2009! 
www.mcdonald.nsw.edu.au/iss/