International Summer School 2026 - Forli, Italy

 The International Cecchetti Summer School was held at the Ateneo Danza studios in Forli, Italy, and hosted by Stefania Sansavini and Diego Cardelli, 24-29 August 2026. The jam-packed schedule for students offered Cecchetti Grade Classes, Body Conditioning, Contemporary, Pointework for Intermediate and Advanced students, Theatre classes at vocational level, Variations and Repertoire.

The Teacher’s Course ran concurrently with the Students’ Course and embraced the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma, Music and Pedagogy sessions around the ‘how to teach’ technique, artistry and musicality. Other than teachers from Italy, Malta and the UK, several teachers came from CCA and CUSA in the United States and Kristina Rogge, Trustee of the Cecchetti Society Trust, also attended the week’s activities. The faculty included, Simone Donati, Tania Fairbairn, Gillian Hurst, Lyndsey and Simon Kidd, Cinzia Maestri, Vanessa Palmer, Roland Thompson, Diane van Schoor and David Yow.

Vanessa Palmer, representing the Ashton Foundation, taught excerpts from Ashton’s 1933 ‘Les Rendezvous’ and the students acquitted themselves very well. In her teacher’s class on Ashton’s Choreography and use of arms, she said that they were easily able to emulate Ashton’s style because of their knowledge of the Cecchetti port de bras which was ‘in their body.’

A very full week of teaching and learning culminated with two performances on Friday evening.  The faculty prepared and rehearsed their contributions to offer a varied programme, and it was indeed a pleasure and honour to welcome two of Maestro Cecchetti’s great granddaughters, sisters, Angelina and Gabriella Caccini.  As shared during the opening address to the evening: “Their presence is a vital contribution to preserving the legacy of the Cecchetti family.’

The next Summer School is again to be held in Forli from 23-28 August 2027.

Diane van Schoor