05/07/2026
Deborah Engerman: Ballet Teacher, Coach, Choreographer
Dance Students: You cannot take the summer off from dance and pick up where you left off. Dance is not a seasonal sport. These are dance facts of life.
If you take an entire summer off or take only a few classes here and there, plan to begin the fall having lost at least 50% of the strength, stamina, placement, flexibility, and mental focus that you gained in the previous year.
If you study dance 2-4 days per week over the summer, plan to maintain the level you created during the school year, but not necessarily improve—unless that 2-4 days per week is significantly more than you are used to.
If you want to improve your dance immensely, attend a summer intensive in addition to consistent classes while you are home. Or stay home and attend a full schedule of classes at your home studio.
These decisions will affect your placement level in the fall and possibly your long-term dance goals.
I intend no judgement here. I am pointing out the physical and mental demands of long term progress in dance. People have different goals with their dance training. Make sure that your actions match up to and will create your goals.
Dancing as a hobby is fantastic and gives you space to take longer periods of time off.
If you want a dance career, yes, go ahead and take a week or two for rest and relaxation. (It’s good for you.) But more than that hinders progress. The choice is yours.
Photo: Scott Serio
Dancer: Magnolia Williams
