Dance Students Recognized With Spots In Intensive Summer Study With Premiere Dance Companies

For Kendall Campus student Imranda Ward, dance is more than just graceful movement that entertains audiences.

“I enjoy dancing because it frees my mind, soul and spirit,” Ward said.

Dancing is how she expresses her emotions.

This summer, Ward and classmate Dava Thompson will pursue their passion eight hours a day. The dance students will immerse themselves in movement with the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Summer Intensive in New York City. The program includes long hours practicing ballet, pointe, pas de deux partnering, modern, African, contemporary, jazz and tap.

Classmate Jennifer Chang was accepted into the Debbie Allen Summer Dance Intensive in Los Angeles, California. At the July program Chang will absorb herself in diverse styles—ballet, character, Horton technique, Graham technique, Dunham technique, jazz, tap, flamenco, hip hop, musical theater and pointe.

“A summer intensive program is a condensed invigorating and rigorous dance program that are six to eight weeks long, and contain four classes per day,” said Michelle Grant-Murray the Associate Professor and Coordinator of Dance at Kendall Campus.

The competition is fierce. Each student has to audition to get into the summer intensive programs, and they select only 100 students across the country. Auditions began in January and the students received their letters of acceptance in late February.

To prepare for the summer dance intensive programs, Thompson, Ward and Chang take four dance classes that add up to about seven hours per day. They also are involved in Jubilation which is a dance ensemble on campus led by Grant-Murray.

“I feel like all the hard work has payed off,” Thompson said. “It is an honor and a blessing that we are here.”

Everyday of the summer intensive, the students undergo rigorous dance classes that allow them to rehearse for an end of the summer showcase with professional choreographers and perform at the end of the six weeks.

“In New York they will take field trips to learn about Harlem,” Grant-Murray said. “Debbie Allen is more diverse, with different cultural dances and a variety of different things.”

But the programs come with a price tag. The Debbie Allen Summer Intensive tuition is $1,550 plus $2,750 for housing. The Dance Theatre of Harlem has a tuition of $1,475 which includes housing, meals, transportation, 24/7 chaperones and onsite security.

“I didn’t know I was gonna make it, and when I auditioned I didn’t think I was going to make it,” Chang said.

Chang has reservations about the cost of participation but sees the summer dance intensive as an important rigorous training. Thompson, Chang and Ward are excited for the idea of meeting new people and making connections for their future.

“I feel extremely accomplished and blessed, and I wish to get professional work out of the program,” Ward said. “After not liking dance for the last two years, coming to Miami Dade College and dancing with Michelle Grant-Murray has opened my eyes to absolute experiences and I value her teachings.”

For Ward, the summer dance intensive is an important step toward her goal of dancing professionally.