Author: Bronwen Battaglia
Summer Vacation. Those two words are so sweet to the ears of schoolchildren everywhere. Sleeping late, no homework, swimming, chasing the ice cream truck.
But for parents, those two words can signal dread of finding outlets to keep their children occupied, safe and happy. And that’s even truer when you have sons. As the mother of three boys I can attest the need to have firm plans for organized activities during at least part of the summer. That usually means camps which can be pricey.
But did you know there’s a FREE opportunity for Buffalo-area boys to be occupied, safe and have fun? Where they can enhance strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, body awareness and confidence. Where they can express themselves with creative movement. Where they can engage in cross-training to prepare themselves for their fall sport.
Where is this magical place?
Neglia Ballet.
Starting June 26 at 4:30, for ten afternoons boys ages 8 – 13 will be engaged in learning and practicing ballet. They will stretch, move and leap in ways they couldn’t have imagined. Neglia’s Boys Dance Too two-week workshop is only for boys and no experience is necessary.
Why just for boys? Plenty of girls naturally find their way to a ballet class when they are younger. But often boys are directed to traditional team sports like soccer, baseball and lacrosse. So Neglia Ballet wants to encourage boys to give ballet a try at no cost.
Last year, a student made the long drive from Allegany county to try this program. His mom Rebecca says:
“I wasn’t sure about the commitment of time to take an 11 year old boy to ballet for 2 weeks, but my son fell in love with Neglia from his first class and it was totally worth it. On the drive home one night, I asked him why he liked the Boys’ Program so much. He said, “Ballet makes my soul sing!”
If a free workshop wasn’t enough incentive, participating boys who show promise and interest may be eligible to continue their ballet studies at Neglia with a scholarship for the 2017-18 conservatory year.
Space is limited, so register your son now by completing the application on Neglia Ballet’s website.
And you’ll be overjoyed when they come home exhausted and happy with their souls singing!
Neglia Conservatory of Ballet
Tri-Main Center
2495 Main Street, #600
Buffalo, NY 14214
info@negliaballet.org
www.negliaballet.org
716-447-0401
Photo: Boys Dance Too 2016 workshop participant, currently a Neglia Ballet 4 Student. Photo by Rebecca Lindamood