I just had to post a response to this thread because I recently spent two incredible summers in the ADF six week school (at ages 16 and 17). Older teenagers like me have the option of attending either the very structured Young Dancer's Program, or the regular Six Weeks School which encompasses mostly students aged 18 up. I chose the Six Weeks School and was absolutely blown away by what I experienced. <P>Having been a complete bunhead from age 8 on, the Festival expanded my view of what dance can be. After years of searching for my "place" in ballet, I suddenly realized that there were many many other places to find my niche in the DANCE world as a whole. I saw too many performances, repertory showings, dance videos, and lectures to count. I heard Twyla Tharp speak, and performed in her famous "One Hundreds". I learned Agnes DeMille's choreography from John Giffin, who had learned the peices directly from Ms. DeMille. My dance classes ranged from the classical to the most avant garde. <P>I could go on and on about those two summers I spent in Durham. They came at a very formative point in my dance career, as I was leaving high school and deciding what to do next, and had a lasting impact. It was during those two summers that I decided to not audition for ballet companies, but instead to audition for dance conservatories and pursue a career as a modern dancer/choreographer. The close mentorship I experienced with several teachers at the festival was my principle reason for selecting that course of action. The experience was a far cry from that of the ever popular ballet summer intensives that so many young dancers attend. ADF is a much more intense, creative, artistic experience. I'm forever grateful for the time I spent there. <P>I could go on and on, but seeing as this is my first post here, I don't want to wear out my welcome

<P>mina