Inside AHHS Summer Dance

Students and Teachers Reflect on AHHS Summer Dance 2019

Summer is finally here! At time for rest, relaxation, and........MORE DANCING! 
Yes- you heard that right, a dancers work is never done. In fact, some of your greatest growth as a dancer happens during a dance intensive. Having the opportunity to focus solely on technique and artistry for several weeks catapults your growth and development to the next level.

​Here at AHHS, we pride ourselves on providing quality, affordable, dance education for our community throughout the year. Here's what some of our teachers and student's had to say about the past two weeks.

Why did you choose to be a part of AHHS Summer Dance 2019?

Krista Langford (Ballet Faculty)- "​I love teaching students that I don't normally get to teach, and I enjoy the open and positive environment (for students and teachers) at AHHS Dance."

Anastasia Waters (Composition Faculty) - "I was invited to teach the Choreography & Composition class. I am always eager to share my passion for creating dance with the younger generation. I love getting to know other dancers in my community as well."
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Denim Atkins (Student) - "​I choose to be a part of summer dance this year to better my technique and get feedback from other teachers."

What has been the best part of your experience during the AHHS Summer Dance Intensive?

Krista Langford (Ballet Faculty)- "Seeing students that I've taught at summer dance in years past and watching them continue to improve their technique."
Anastasia Waters (Composition Faculty) - "I really enjoyed watching the students work so eagerly together to create a dance. Seeing the excitement in their faces as they explored the choreography tools I gave them was very rewarding."
Denim Atkins (Student) - "The best part of my experience has been improving all around in my memory and technique."

What did you learn about yourself as a dancer/teacher that you didn't know before?

Krista Langford (Ballet Faculty)- "That I can make small suggestions that dancers can apply quickly to make a big difference."
Anastasia Waters (Composition Faculty) - "By going back to the basics of choreography with these students I was really reminded of the infinite possibilities there are in creating dance. The tools we explored created a plethora of different movement sequences, which then created endless ways to manipulate and arrange the movement into a dance."
Denim Atkins(Student) - "I learned that I really need to try to know a combination well."

Why do you feel it is important to continue your dance education or teaching through the summer months?

Krista Langford (Ballet Faculty)- "I know it's important for me to teach students that I don't interact with on a regular basis. It's also a chance for me to try out new ideas and images that I may incorporate into my year-round teaching."
Anastasia Waters (Composition Faculty) - "There are so many advantages to continuing dance through the summers. There is something about training in the Summer months when many choose to take off that allows the student to deepen their training further. Many times the students are able to participate in classes that may not be available to them during the year, which then allows them to become more versatile dancers through their new experiences. Many times they are able to take class from teachers they have never had which gives them the opportunity to learn different perspectives and ideas in dance. The list goes on and on!"
Denim Atkins (Student) - "I feel it is important to continue through the summer because you can lose technique if you don't practice."

What do you think sets the AHHS Summer Dance Intensive apart from other programs in the area?

Krista Langford (Ballet Faculty)- "It is truly open to dancers at all levels and with many different sets of experience. All students leave with more confidence and with additional tools in their "dance tool belt" - Students make new connections with dancers and teachers in their community."
Anastasia Waters (Composition Faculty) - "I think the way AHHS utilized the knowledge and talents of teachers directly within the DFW community says a lot for what this area has to offer the dance world. Supporting local dance educators is important to the DFW dance community and students!"
Denim Atkins (Student) - "What I think sets apart AHHS from other programs is the intimacy of the instruction and the good attitudes of the teachers

Want to know more about the AHHS Dance Program? Check us out on Facebook (AHHS Dance Department), Instagram (@ahhsdance), or email us at [email protected]!