ABOUT

“Dancers who are exposed to MORE gain so much. There are so many different training methods and styles, that it is in a dancers best interest to get out there and seek knowledge.” says Just For Kix Executive Director, Cindy Clough. “We created this event when I was searching for an intensive for my own daughter and some of her friends. I was shocked at the prices and thought we can do this BETTER for LESS.” “Our teachers are fantastic and we pull from a wide pool of talent due to our summer camps.”

LOCATION

Our state of the art studio is located in the beautiful Brainerd Lakes Area in Central Minnesota. It was home to over 1,000 dancers this past year and serves as the perfect facility for a great summer intensive. Lodging will be at The Lodge Hotel which is a facility equipped with a restaurant, water park and near local shopping! It is located across the street so dancers can walk over to the studio.

 

INCLUDES

Students can choose from 2 Levels - beginner / intermediate  and intermediate / advanced.

Intermediate dancers are those with a few years of dance experience and are looking to focus on basics in technique, flexibility, and form.

Dancers who register for Advanced level should have several years of dance experience and are looking to go beyond the basic elements of technique, moving into style and expression.

Finally, Elite dancers are those who are looking to challenge themselves physically and emotionally through new styles, techniques, cutting edge choreography and training. Dancers will register for one level, but may move around based on the style of class they are taking.

GET HERE

Directions

Dancers can fly right into Brainerd and our staff will be happy to meet you. The Minneapolis airport is about 2.5 hours from Brainerd and there is limousine, or shuttle service that travels to Brainerd. The Just for Kix Studio is across the Street, (east side) from the hotel, you can walk right to it.  It is a VERY safe location!

THE LODGE AT BRAINERD LAKES - Click here to see their website
6967 Lake Forest Road · Baxter, MN 56425
Phone: 218-822-5634

Directions to The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes from the south (Twin Cities)
Take I-94 west to Clearwater and exit on Hwy. 24. Turn right (north) and follow to Hwy. 10. Turn left (west) onto Hwy. 10 and follow to Little Falls. After Little Falls take Hwy. 371 north to Brainerd/Baxter. At the intersection of Hwy. 371 and Hwy. 210 continue north 2 miles. You’ll want to be in the left hand lane to turn left on Lake Forest Road by the Famous Dave’s restaurant.

Directions to The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes from East/Northeast (Duluth)
Take Interstate 35 South to Hwy 210 West. Follow Hwy 210 West to Brainerd/Baxter. In Baxter turn right on Hwy 371 North and continue 2 miles. You’ll want to be in the left hand lane to turn left on Lake Forest Road by the Famous Dave’s restaurant.

Directions to The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes from the West (Fargo)
Take Hwy 10 East to Motley. In Motley turn left on Hwy 210 East and follow to Baxter. At the intersection of Hwy. 371 and Hwy. 210 continue north 2 miles. You’ll want to be in the left hand lane to turn left on Lake Forest Road by the Famous Dave’s restaurant.

DIRECTIONS TO THE JUST FOR KIX HOME OFFICE AND WAREHOUSE

Brainerd also is home to the JUST FOR KIX warehouse. Any dancers dream! The entire catalog inventory at your fingertips. TOURS AVAILABLE TO DANCERS AND PARENTS ON REQUEST!! We’d love to show you around.
This is where the TOUR will be given of the warehouse. Not the Intensive. The warehouse is located on the corner of College Road and Dogwood.
 

The address is 7842 College Road South

It is in the Baxter Industrial Park.

(If you are coming from the STUDIO and The Lodge. Go out to Hwy. 371 – turn Right. Go through 3 stoplights over the railroad tracks and to the 4th stoplight. Turn Left on College Road. We are 3 blocks down on the left hand side on the corner of College and Dogwood. Very large tan steel building with hunter green roof.

 

 

Our STAFF

WHO ARE THE STAFF

At Just For Kix, we take incredible pride in the staff we select to instruct our Summer Intensive. We search to find the very best and most innovative choreographers. Every staff member is very approachable and are highly talented teachers. Our staff members are REAL dancers. Their commitment is real. Their interactions are real. Their passion is so real; you can’t help but join the in on the fun!

Master Instructor

Benji Schwimmer

• Winner of the Second Season of “So You Think You Can Dance”

2011 Instructors Included:

Adina Belanger

• Was a member of the contemporary jazz company "Pushing Progress" in NYC
• Received an internship scholarship at Broadway Dance Center and was a member of Wes Veldink's Professional Program.
• Appeared in the dance DVD, 'outer body experience', 'tangle', a play, directed by Tai Dang, 'shows with recording artist Genna Young in NYC, and BOB band.
• Appeared in episodes of TLC's 'audition series', ABC's 'Carrie Ann vs. Bruno :Dance Wars', and commercials for 'Second Skin Shop'
• Full Time instructor at the Just For Kix Studios

Alexandra Clough

• A member of the Stroia Ballet Company for 10 years.
• Back-up dancer for the Black Eyed Peas in Super Bowl XLV
• Represented Minnesota for Miss Dance Drill Team USA
• Creator of the Alexandra Collection Dancewear line
• Former 2-time All Conference & team MVP with The Kixters
• Fulltime Just For Kix Dance Instructor

Amber Rose Sutton

• Former UW-Madison Dance Team member
• Freelance choreographer and judge
• Fulltime Just For Kix Studio Instructor

Carlos Stroia

• Founder of the Stroia Ballet Company
• Debuted at age 14 in the Vienna Stats Opera, Vienna Austria
• Was a member of the Campagnia-Clasico Cosi Stefanescu in Italy
• Represent Romania a the International Ballet Competition in Varna Bulgaria
• Has danced professionally in over 26 countries

Cindy Clough

• Coach of The Brainerd Warrior Dance Team - The Kixters for 32 Years.
• Founder and creator of Just For Kix.
• Well known author and choreographer.

David Le

• First competited at age 14 - placed 3 with “The Crew”
• Founder and President of the St. Cloud State Breakdancing Organization
• Danced/Session with the Massive Monkees (America’s Best Dance Crew Season 4)

Hanna Frederick

• Former MVP & 4 year member of the Eden Prairie Dance Team
• Trained at the Summit Dance Shoppe
• Current Broadway NYC Dance Center intern

Kelsey Villwock

• Former captain & MVP for the Brainerd Kixters
• 2 Time Heather Star Habeck Award Winner
• Currently Dance Team member at the University of Minnesota Duluth

 

PHOTOS/VIDEO

Photos/Videos

If you want to check out the action from a previous Just For KIx Dance Intensive, look at some of our photos and videos. Feel the intensity.

Click Here to See Photos
Click Here to See Videos

INFO

WHAT TO BRING

You want to be sure to come to the intensive well prepared. After a hard day of dancing you are going to want to hit the water park... So don't forget your swimsuit.

• A GOOD ATTITUDE AND LOTS OF ENERGY!!
• Dance Attire
• Undergarments (sports bras, socks, etc.)
• Comfortable athletic & dance shoes! (Tap, jazz, hip-hop, athletic, and possibly pointe.) (Let us know if pointe is an interest)
• Extra spending money for treats and sales items @ the Just For Kix Studio Store.
• I-pod, CD Player (optional)
• Notebook and pen!
• Camera (optional)
• Swim Suit
• Personal toiletries
• Pre-paid calling card and/or cell phone
• YOUR SIGNED MEDICAL RELEASE & CODE OF CONDUCT FORM (DO ONLINE AHEAD OF TIME)
• Dance bag to carry your items in from hotel to class
• Any medications you may need
• Athletic tape and ace wrap if you use it frequently

SAMPLE: DAILY SCHEDULE

Your days at the Just For Kix Intensive will be long, intense, hard work and FUN! A sample daily schedule and other downloads will be available in May.
Click to Download This Years Schedule
Click to Download Tee Shirt Pre-Order Form
Click to Download Medical Release Form
Click to Download Code of Conduct Form
Click to Download Travel/Roommate Request Form
Click to Download Intensive Information

NEW FOR INTENSIVE!

SHOWCASE COMPETITION
We are having a Showcase Competition on Night 2 of Intensive!  You may bring your own routine from home, any style, any level, and we will be judging the routines and announcing winners at our final show!  Please bring your music on CD with you to registration on Day 1.  Routines must be no longer than 2:15. 

OUTBACK BOWL AUDITIONS
We will be auditioning dancers for the Outback Bowl Dance Team Tour at the Intensive.   We have provided entertainment major collegiate bowl games for over 25 years, including the Outback Bowl.

 

FAQ

Q. WHAT AGE LEVEL CAN ATTEND?

A. We typically take no one under 12. However all rules are made to be broken. We have had a few 10 year old dancers attend (required to be chaperoned). They were die hard “studio brats.” Meaning they love to eat and sleep dance and were used to a rigorous training regime.  Average age is high school-college. We have 4 studios and divide dancers by level.

Q. CAN I ATTEND IF I HAVE GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL?

A. Many college teams are starting to use the Just For Kix Intensive as training for their season. Many studio owners attend as a retreat for themselves and as way to gain exposure to choreography and technique.

Q. DO I HAVE TO TAKE BALLET?

A. We can’t MAKE you take ballet, but strongly encourage you to participate in a daily ballet class while at the intensive. Our ballet teacher is wonderful. (Carlos Stroia.) He is kind and knowledgeable. Originally from Romania, he teaches classical ballet and the technique gained will make you a stronger dancer. One of our instructors (Adina Belanger) lived in New York for 2 years and likes his class better than any she took there.

Q. WHAT IF I HAVE NEVER HAD BALLET?

A. You can take the intermediate class and you will do just fine. Carlos is PATIENT and you just have to go in with a great attitude.

Q. HOW DO I KNOW WHAT LEVEL I AM IN?

A. When you arrive we will explain the levels before each class. You may wish to choose different levels depending on the styles. For instance you may be elite in ballet and intermediate at hip-hop. We want YOU to feel comfortable. Dancers are allowed to switch classes if they feel overwhelmed or not challenged.

Q. WILL I BE CHAPERONED?

A. Dancers who are still in high school will be bed checked each night. We take attendance in the morning and periodically during the day. We work off a buddy system. Dancers are expected to be on their best behavior and are required to follow our code of conduct. If you are coming as a group of dancers, we encourage you to send a chaperon. If you cannot, we will assume that duty. Just For Kix has run and chaperoned summer camps and bowl games since the early 80’s and we are known for running a tight ship. A Just For Kix Staff member is on call each night.

Q. WHEN IS CHECK IN?

A. The intensive officially starts the morning of June 19th.

Q. WHAT MEALS ARE INCLUDED?

A. There are 11 meals included.
ARRIVAL DAY- no meals
DAY 1 -3 meals
DAY 2 - 3 meals
Day 3 - 3 meals
Day 4 - 2 meals
All meals are served at the Just For Kix studio buffet style.

Q. DO I NEED TAP SHOES?

A. We offer one master tap class for advanced/elite and one for beginner/intermediate. If you wish to participate please bring tap shoes with you. We will have them available for purchase. (Let us know ahead of time so we make sure to have your size.)

Q. IF I AM COMING BY MYSELF WHOM WILL I BE ROOMED WITH?

A. We will try hard to place dancers of similar ages together if possible. All dancers are encouraged to bring a friend from their hometown, but we will happily place you.

Q. IF MY MOM COMES WHAT CAN SHE DO ALL DAY?

A. Brainerd is a tourism area. There are TONS of things to do. Seven world class golf courses, spas, shopping galore, beaches, movie theaters, walking & biking trails, and more. Our staff can direct you to the hot spots.

Q. WHAT STYLES ARE OFFERED?

A. Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Kick Line, Tap, Ballet, Pilate’s and more.