5 Ways to Keep Students Engaged During Summer Ballet Classes
(And Still Have Time to Breathe, Rest, and Maybe Even Read a Book)
Let’s talk about that sweet spot of ballet students: the 8 to 12 crowd. They’ve moved past the glitter wand phase, they know a frappé isn’t just something from Starbucks, and many of them genuinely love being in the studio. But summer can still throw a wrench in your momentum.
Vacations, irregular attendance, and burnout (for you and them) can make teaching summer ballet classes feel like an uphill battle in pointe shoes. 😅
But here’s a thought: summer doesn’t have to be a slump. Let’s say, it can be one of the most productive—and refreshing—seasons of the year. Let’s dive in:
1. Set Micro-Goals to Maximize Technique
My favorite part of summer is taking time to slow down and fine-tune. Without looming recitals, competitions, or parents watching. Right? Does anyone else feel like parents aren’t watching as much in the summer, so I feel like there is more space to focus on those “someday” goals.
Try this:
🎯 Pick one technical focus each week (e.g., turnout, port de bras, petite allegro-beats/battu, pirouettes, adagio, etc. ).
🗓 Break it into small, clear goals: "Double pirouette from fifth with controlled landing" by week 3.
Bonus: Students love tracking progress. You can even build in short “self-assessments” or peer feedback moments—hello, built-in engagement.
2. Switch the Routine (Without Sacrificing Discipline)
Yes, structure matters—but so does variety. Summer is the ideal time to introduce:
Floor barre is one of my all-time favorites. (I have resources if you need any)
Pilates-based core work at the start of class
Weekly variations to explore musicality and artistry (who doesn’t love learning a variation)
Choreography composition where dancers help create phrases
These additions stretch students both technically and creatively, and they keep class feeling fresh—even if it’s 98°F outside and nobody wants to plié.
3. Audition Prep
You can review a variety of different types of auditions as a part of the last few minutes of class or once per week depending on your schedule.
Research past or present auditions and discuss requirements
Workshop the content required
Do a mock audition (live/in-person or video)
🩰 This type of exercise not only helps the dancer but any student going to a job interview for any type of job. In my experience you can apply it to any an all ways to ‘get a job’. And then my mom always said, “just smile” - that will let them know the most about you
4. Reignite Their "Why"
Let’s be real: ballet is hard. Summer is a chance to reconnect your dancers with why they love it in the first place.
Ways to do that:
Screen short clips of professional companies during water breaks
Assign mini-research projects (e.g., "Who was Anna Pavlova?")
Invite guest teachers or alumni to share insights
When students see how their technique connects to the wider world of dance, their motivation goes through the roof—and they’re way more focused in class.
5. Stop Overplanning. Start Delegating (to Us).
Look, you’re a professional. You don’t need a cutesy coloring sheet. What you need is a complete, structured, intermediate/advanced lesson plan that helps you hit your goals, keep your students progressing, and not spend four hours planning every Sunday night.
That’s where BalletLessonPlans.com comes in.
We offer downloadable, ready-to-go plans for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels that include:
✅ Warm-up & barre combos
✅ Center & Across the Floor combinations
✅ Teacher Comments/Variation Suggestions
✅ Perfectly Chosen Music Suggestions
✅ Ample content
✅ Easy-to-Read on Phone, iPad or Laptoop
You bring the talent and expertise—we bring the structure and time-savings. 💡
🌟 The Bottom Line: Keep Them Moving Forward. Keep Yourself Sane.
Summer ballet doesn’t have to be filler. With the right tools and mindset, it can be a powerhouse season that builds technique, confidence, and artistry in your dancers—and gives you space to breathe, rest, or (gasp) take a real weekend off.
👉 Shop our complete Ballet Lesson Plans now at BalletLessonPlans.com
Your future self (and your fall-ready dancers) will thank you. 💻🩰🌞
