Pirouettes, passion, and pointe shoes; Inside SWFL ballet's summer Intensive

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Behind the studio doors of Southwest Florida Ballet, young dancers are spending their summer turning hard work into graceful leaps, stronger technique, and newfound confidence.

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At Southwest Florida Ballet, the annual Summer Intensive is back, offering three weeks of immersive training for dancers of all levels. Students spend their days moving between ballet technique, pointe, contemporary dance, acting, conditioning, and warm-up classes.

From dancers just four years old to dedicated teens preparing for future performances, the program is designed to challenge students while helping them grow both on and off the stage.

For Creative Director Edwin Navarro, teaching ballet is more than a job. It's a way to pass on an art form that shaped his own life.

"It feels like my duty to teach these girls and pass on ballet," Navarro said. "We are doing traditional ballet here, and I am going to make these girls the best they can be."

That commitment is something students notice. Sarah Paez said she enjoys the supportive but demanding environment.

"I like dancing here because I get pushed to my limits," Paez said. "It's fun, and I learn well here."

The intensive may be challenging, but returning student Zoe Fajardo said that's exactly what makes it worthwhile.

"The Summer Intensive last year was great," Fajardo said. "We practiced a lot of new things that we used during the season. It helped me understand so much. It was honestly a lot of fun. It's intense, but you get used to it. Mr. Edwin sees your potential and then pushes you."

That growth is evident in dancers like Brielle Marr, who credits the program with helping her develop both her skills and her confidence.

"I've seen myself grow as a dancer here a lot," Marr said. "I have better technique, I've made new friends, and I've developed a better dancing style.

The ballet classes here are serious, but they're fun."

Walk through the studio and you'll see dancers stretching at the barre, practicing combinations, and encouraging one another between classes. While students come to improve their technique, many stay because of the community they've found.

Southwest Florida Ballet's mission extends beyond training future performers.

As a nonprofit organization, it aims to make traditional ballet accessible to the community and create a welcoming space for anyone who wants to dance.

That includes adults.

"We have adult classes as well," Navarro said. "Whether you've taken ballet or not, you can come here. We have someone who is over 70 years old taking classes."

For young dancer Adalina Scola, the demanding schedule is worth every minute.

"The Summer Intensive is good because it's a hard class, but it's also because Mr. Edwin cares," Scola said. "With all the hours you put in, you're learning a lot. It's like everything clicks."

Whether students dream of dancing professionally or simply want to spend their summer doing something they love, Southwest Florida Ballet offers a place where hard work, artistry, and friendship come together.

Click here if you are interested in joining the Summer Intensive.