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.  

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Mr. President:

I fervently hope that America gives you many thanks for preserving our Republic.

In 2020 you stood up and confronted an administration that began in 2016 with what seems a laser focus on undermining and diminishing our nation.

An administration willing to align with the worst dictators, a presidency with the clear goal of weakening the U.S. by retrenching and pulling back the country to its shore line.

The Democratic party’s field of candidates did not seem to have the gravitas to successfully overcome this opponent.

You sir, with the blessing of your wife and family, armed with decades of experience and dedication to the Republic, entered the fray.

In your book “Promises to Keep,” you wrote: “I believe that our nation’s founders framed a political system of uncommon genius, and generation after generation of Americans have used that system to make the country more fair, more just, more welcoming, more committed to individual rights. The U.S. has the finest and fairest system of government the world has ever known. There is nothing inherently wrong with the system. It’s up each of us to do our part to make it work.”

You, at age 77, galvanized 81 million voters to deny the incumbent a second term. Well done and kudos to you and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Many of the former president’s staff and allies are in jail, going to jail, indicted, convicted…including the former president himself.

You stand with a pantheon of American leaders: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt – all of whom worked tirelessly to set the country on the right path.

Now, again, we face that same opponent, who seeks to regain the power of the presidency. He is revealing plans to make the presidency a dictatorship accountable only to himself.

Mr. President, only you can deny the prior incumbent from ever holding power again.

Put together a team, with the help of key leaders and wise counsel, to field the nominees ready and able to carry the fight to all Americans and to win on Nov. 5.

Moving forward, you will fill the role of the wise sage. You will work with our allies for the good of mankind, protecting this planet from global warming, vicious wars, famine, and more.

Your vice president should be the first nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court to begin the necessary rebalance of an institution that is now the antithesis of fair and balanced justice.

You will be invaluable as we create a world with a future that can solve problems, uphold democracy, and provide the disadvantaged with opportunities to fulfill their dreams for themselves and their children.

Time is short. Stakes are enormously high. Let’s pull together to assure a victory in 2025 for our deserving country.

MR. PRESIDENT, THANK YOU FOR A JOB WELL DONE!

John J. Drew is the retired President/CEO of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)