So… You Got the Invite: Are Summer Intensives Actually Worth It?

So your dancer got invited to a Summer Intensive.

Maybe New York.
Maybe Hollywood.
Maybe Boston.

Maybe… for the fifth time 😅

And for a split second you think,
“Wait… if we stack all these scholarships… this could be free, right?”

Wouldn’t that be nice?

But alas…

That is not how this works.

Whether it’s “free,” partially paid, or full tuition, there is almost always a cost attached. And sometimes… a big one.

So the real question becomes:

Are Summer Intensives actually worth it?

Let’s break it down.

Not All Intensives Are Created Equal

Before you even look at the price, you need to understand what kind of experience you’re considering.

Local Camps & Workshops

These are often the most affordable and accessible options.

They’re great for:

• Keeping your dancer active over the summer

• Trying new styles

• Continuing training without a huge commitment

If budget is a concern, do not overlook these. There is real value here.

Regional Opportunities (Driveable or Short Travel)

This is where things start to expand a bit.

For us on the West Coast:

• Los Angeles

• Las Vegas

…are actually pretty doable.

Flights aren’t outrageous, and if you’re a road trip family like we are, it can be even more manageable.

These programs often bring in strong faculty and offer a bigger experience without completely blowing up your summer budget.

Destination Intensives (The Big Ones)

Now we’re talking about the “this requires a spreadsheet” level of planning.

Think:

• New York, Boston, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles (if you’re not West Coast like we are)

• Conservatory style programs

• Multi-week intensives

These can be incredible opportunities…

But they come with:

• Travel

• Lodging

• Time commitments

• And a much larger financial investment

Let’s Talk About Cost (Because It’s Real)

Everyone in this industry is trying to make a living.

That doesn’t mean they’re trying to rip you off.

It means:

• Teachers are being paid for their expertise

• Studios are covering space and staffing

• Programs are delivering an experience

Time is money. Space is money. Experience has value.

But…

Not every expensive program is worth it.
And not every affordable one lacks value.

How to Tell the Difference

Before you commit, do your research.

Green Flags

• Reputable teachers and faculty

• Clear structure and training focus

• Positive feedback from real dance families

• Returning dancers year after year

• A focus on growth, not just exposure

Red Flags

• Vague descriptions of what dancers will actually learn

• Heavy emphasis on “being seen” with little training

• Poor or inconsistent reviews

• Overpromising outcomes

• Feels more like a sales pitch than a program

Do the Research (Seriously)

Use your resources:

• Dance parent Facebook groups

• Conversations with other studio families

• Google searches

• Even asking ChatGPT if a program is legit

You will start to see patterns quickly.

Our Experience: Hollywood Dance Experience

We attended Hollywood Dance Experience in Summer 2021.

Yes… 2021. A unique year for everything.

Day 1: Workshops

My dancer loved it.

She was engaged, learning, and even got a call out in Musical Theatre.

As a parent? I loved it too.

The parent workshops were incredibly helpful, and I met dance moms I am still connected with today.

Day one at Hollywood Dance Experience… learning, connecting, and one unforgettable moment meeting Will Simmons 💙

Day 2: Universal Studios

A full reset day.

And honestly… so needed.

Dance is intense. Having space to just have fun matters.

Day two… a well earned break at Universal Studios and memories these dancers will never forget 💙

Day 3: The Industry Reality Check

This was the eye opener.

At the time, my dancer was:

• Strong

• Growing

• Solid

But she wasn’t standing out. She was still hiding in the back.

That day, an agent was there helping create a music video with all of the dancers. Within that, they were looking for a handful of standout dancers to feature in spotlight moments. My dancer wasn’t selected for one of those featured roles… and she wasn’t alone. There were quite a few dancers in the same boat.

And you know what? That was okay.

She still participated. She still danced. She still ended up in the final video… but her part was maybe 15 seconds in a two minute piece.

Which meant day three looked a lot like:

Hurry up… and wait.
Watch others go.
Wait some more.
Then get your moment.

And honestly?
That was one of the most valuable lessons she could have learned.

Because the industry isn’t constant spotlight.

It’s patience.
It’s waiting.
It’s showing up ready… even when your moment is small.

And sometimes, those moments are the ones that teach you the most.
The Moment That Changed Everything

Full circle moment… from Hollywood Dance Experience to seeing Annie again at Rainbow Seattle 2022 💙

There was a staff member there.

She’s not with the program anymore, but we still follow her on social media.

She pulled my daughter aside on Day 1.

Then she found us on Day 2 before we walked into Universal.

And she asked:

“Why do you hide in the back?”

She told my dancer not to dim her light.
She told her she deserved to be seen.

She saw something in her.

Annie… if you ever read this… thank you.

Because that moment stayed.

And the next season?

My dancer showed up differently.

A little braver.
A little more confident.
A little more willing to be seen.

And that changed everything.

Our Experience: Joffrey Ballet School, Las Vegas

Joffrey Ballet Las Vegas 2021… where the training got stronger, the confidence grew, and the memories stuck 💙

We attended Joffrey Ballet Las Vegas for three summers. (2021, 2022 & 2023)

And every year?

Better.

• Strong training

• Incredible teachers

• Every dancer was seen

At the time, it was about $1,500 for two weeks.

Joffrey Ballet Las Vegas 2022… bigger classes, stronger dancers, and growth you could actually see 💙

Was it cheap? No.
Was it worth it? For us… absolutely.

We made lifelong friendships.
We built connections.
My dancer grew.

Joffrey Ballet Las Vegas 2022: This experience was about more than just dance 💙

We even met dancers we still see on the competition circuit today.

(You know who you are, Vibe Tribe 😉)

Joffrey Ballet Las Vegas 2023… where the community grew just as much as the dancers 💙

Would We Do It Again?

Yes.

Joffrey Ballet Las Vegas 2023: From stage moments to pushing new limits… 2023 was a whole new level 💙

Joffrey Ballet Las Vegas 2023: Not just training… but the people, the moments, and the memories that last 💙

But maybe differently.

Now she’s looking at:

• Tap intensives

• Musical Theatre programs

And of course…

They’re in New York 😅

Which brings us back to reality.

Scholarships, Payment Plans, and Real Life

Some programs offer scholarships.

Some are partial. Some are competitive. Some require in person auditions.

Payment plans can help. We’ve used them.

But you still have to ask:

• Is this the right time?

• Is this the right program?

• Is this the right investment for our family?

Because Vegas might be manageable.

But New York?

That’s a whole different level.

And sometimes…

It becomes a “maybe later” decision.

So… Are They Worth It?

Here’s the honest answer:

They can be.

But not every time.
Not every program.
Not for every family.

The value isn’t just:

• Training

• Exposure

• Experience

Sometimes…

It’s one moment.
One teacher.
One conversation.

That changes everything.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to say yes to every invite.
You don’t have to chase every opportunity.
And you definitely don’t have to stretch your family beyond what makes sense.

But if you find the right one?

It might just shift your dancer’s path.

Not overnight.

But in the moments that matter most.

Until next time, TCDM Fam. 💙