The sweltering heat in the beginning of July did not deter the 55 students from six dance schools, from experiencing a weeklong intensive dance course. For its third Summer Intensive, The Dance Workshop flew out Gillian Hurst, as its special guest teacher. Ms Hurst who is a senior examiner for the Cecchetti Society and also for the Spanish Dance Society, shared her vast experience in the dance field with the four levels of students, and her delightful approach was a guarantee to the success of the course.

Apart from classical ballet, the course comprised various dance subjects, several of which were new to the students. Theresa Lungaro-Mifsud, the course organiser, introduced the children to two set dances from the delightful ballet La Fille mal Gardee during repertoire classes. The younger students took to the studios all morning alternating between ballet, Spanish dance by Estelle Sant, music classes with Francesca Aquilina and Hip Hop with Sue Vassallo. Each morning session ended with Malcolm Galea’s drama session, which further encouraged the talent of the younger students.

Working in the afternoon and evening, senior students covered Hip Hop with Sarah Mercieca, Flamenco with Cikka Grima and Estelle Sant and Latin American dance with Elaine Zerafa. Theresa was delighted to have Basia Czerniszewska introducing the seniors to the Pilates technique. Francesca Abela Tranter and Renzo Spiteri ended the evening sessions with an exciting choreographic workshop. Teachers were impressed with the discipline of the students – a factor which made the event run smoothly and successfully. On their part, the students came out from the Summer Intensive feeling more inspired, and definitely more accomplished as dancers.