Boston Ballet's summer program hosts young dancers from across the country

BOSTON - Young dancers from across the country are spending the summer in Boston, learning from some of the best in ballet.

For nearly five weeks, high-level students between the ages of 12 and 18 are immersed in a professional training environment at the Boston Ballet School's summer dance program . Current company members of the ballet are among their teachers.

Soloist Lauren Herfindahl said the summer programs are important in a student's growth as a dancer and a person.

"You get to dance a lot. There's a lot of classes, a lot of hours in the studio," she told WBZ-TV.

Sixteen-year-old Amalia Campe from Bethesda, Maryland is in those classes. She started dancing when she was just two years old. This is her second year in the summer program. Campe said this time is invaluable.

"You're dancing all day long and you're going to meet new people and new teachers. And then on the weekends and after class, you can explore the city and experience Boston," she said.

As a young dancer growing up in Kingston, Massachusetts, Herfindahl participated in part of the summer program. She knows the impact firsthand.

"As students, it's really important to be exposed to different styles, different teachers, different ideas, and get a taste of what the ballet world is like outside of your home environment, outside of your home studio," she said.

Campe has already felt the impact.

"Together, we all become better dancers by supporting each other and stretching and talking about dance and just learning things about dance by talking to other people," she told WBZ.

Even though Herfindahl leads some of the classes, she's learning as well.

"I think my favorite part of teaching is sharing the little tips and tricks that I find work for myself. As a dancer, I'm constantly growing, constantly learning for myself, and I feel like through teaching, I continue to remind myself of those things. Going back to the basics is a good thing," Herfindahl said.

Students have to audition to be accepted into the summer program. Classes are held at both the Boston and Newton studios, with the older students working out of Boston.