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SOCAPA was recommended to us by the college counselor at our daughter's prep school. We were searching for dance programs that would be good for her and helpful with the college application process. SOCAPA exceeded our expectations. The dance program is rigorous and joyful. There are opportunities explore different dance styles with various coaches/instructors. Being in a school with various art disciplines gave our daughter the opportunity to work with photography students to build both her and their portfolios. Several of the original dance pieces the group created were video taped. This can all be used for college applications. We live right near the NYC campus, so our daughter did not stay in a dorm. The students in the dorm have a greater opportunity to form deeper bonds since they have a lot of activities together - both during the day and after hours. I only wish the day students were invited to join the residential students for after class activities - even if we had to pay for the special events separately. That being said, this summer will be our third summer at SOCAPA. The training is good. The staff is supportive and the program reliably attracts nice and talented students.
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SOCAPA summer camp reviews
Sometimes it's better to hear it from someone else. Read what real students and parents say about our summer camps and pre-college programs, in their own words.
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Showing 11 reviews for Dance in New York City
Clear filtersWriting this review because when research SOCAPA last year it felt difficult to find recent reviews and/or reviews that answered questions that I was most concerned about. We selected the VT dance program and due to lower enrollments Summer 2025, that program was unable to run and were offered the NYC program. My only concern with the NYC program was safety with a participant on the younger side. It was extremely well-organized, and kids were always required to be in groups. It is also very rigorous with dance all day and activities every night. The staff was great, and the collaboration across disciplines (for example, pairing photo students with dancers for photo shoot) was really cool. The teachers were supportive and highly skilled. The final output in the last day performance was impressive. Not every aspect of the program was a solid fit for our dancer; however, they were important information points for her as she thinks about future camp and college opportunities. She would also say it was a great experience, and plans to reapply to camp this summer.
When we reached out with requests or modifications with the camp, communication was excellent and adjustments were made as feasible within the bounds of the program. Heading in, my biggest concerns were how the camp was administered and safety, especially in NYC with a younger camper-- and finished out the program with no concerns in that regard. There were video samples of performance work; and the instruction and guidance to the dancers met and exceeded expectations in that aspect of the program.
My daughter attended summer camp for the first time at SOCAPA NYC last summer and she had the time of her life. At first, she lacked some confidence, but the instructors were energetic and so passionate about teaching that she immediately felt supported and started loving the experience. She was so excited about everything she learned and she made new friends. Her passion for dance is stronger than ever and she will be back next summer for sure! We highly recommend this amazing experience!
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As a parent of a Sophomore who attended SOCAPA’s dance program at the Manhattan campus last summer and will hopefully attend again this summer, I highly recommend the camp. The different art departments and even campuses attend each other’s pre-showcase performances and the groups attend various New York City performances and activities together, making for a very fun, friendly, supportive environment. The variety of evening events is amazing, including things like multiple art venues, a Broadway show, Coney Island, and other local fun spots. And the end of camp performances which include all the art forms are well done and showcase the hard work put in by the students during their days at camp.
My daughter has traveled for Socapa's dance sessions for the past 3 years from Istanbul, Turkey and she cant wait for her her final 4th summer next year before she heads for college scholar programs. Socapa New York has offered her experience beyond the dance training. She has met beautiful friends, worked with extremely qualified instructors. The professional setting and dance shoots has been a great exposure which she cannot get anywhere else. Also, the online portfolio will be very handy when it comes to college aplications. I as a mother would not think twice when recommending.
SOCAPA was the best summer dance intensive my daughter has ever attended, and it provided the necessary artist’s environment she needed as she explores and makes big life decisions as she enters her senior year in high school. The videos of solo and group dances will be amazing for the college applications! As far as the actual dancing went, she was pushed to her best limits and they helped her explore out of her comfort zone in such a way that she was able to find a different side of herself as a dancer. Thank you for an amazing summer dance experience, SOCAPA!
Our Daughter attended the NYC Manhattan campus 3 week dance conservatory program in the summer of 2019. I was originally nervous at the thought of sending her to the big city for a summer camp, but it became obvious that the program managers and counselors were up to the task of keeping our daughter safe and in a controlled environment. We were able to travel to visit her twice during her program and received regular calls, texts and videos. It was clear to us that she was thoroughly enjoying her program, making lots of new friends, and expanding her dance abilities. It is my hope that she will attend SOCAPA again this coming summer.
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My 15yr daughter attended the 1 week dance intensive last year. The dancing was incredible and all of the kids became great friends. They mix the different talents up in the rooming assignments, which allows all of the groups to interact. Finally the evening activities really allowed the kids to experience NYC. We have already reserved a spot for the 2019 camp!
Our Daughter attended the NYC Manhattan campus 3 week dance conservatory program in the summer of 2019. I was originally nervous at the thought of sending her to the big city for a summer camp, but it became obvious that the program managers and counselors were up to the task of keeping our daughter safe and in a controlled environment. We were able to travel to visit her twice during her program and received regular calls, texts and videos. It was clear to us that she was thoroughly enjoying her program, making lots of new friends, and expanding her dance abilities. It is my hope that she will attend SOCAPA again this coming summer.
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My 14-year-old daughter attended SOCAPA and she absolutely loved it! I only heard positive things about her experience. She came home with a new sense of self, new friends and a new energy for her passions.
Our daughter attended the dance program out of the Brooklyn campus and it was a thrilling growing experience for her!
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