Canyon Concert Ballet

Dance with the Best

Archives for November 2017

Dance Class Spotlight: Move With Me

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 Move With Me!

For Ages 18 months to 3 years

Move With Me is a program designed especially for wobbly walkers up to age 3 who are not yet ready to be on their own in one of our preschool programs.  This one hour, once a week class, designed by an early childhood education specialist, introduces students (along with their parent or caregiver) to movement key to healthy neurological development.   Students and parents should both dress comfortably and prepare to have a great time!  Class instructor, Sarah, took a few moments to talk about this fun dance class:

What is your favorite part of Move With Me?

My favorite part of class is witnessing the joy these tiny people experience while discovering different forms of movement and their interpretations to music… they are both funny and brilliant!  I enjoy sharing the experience with the parents as they realize how truly creative and capable their children are!

Which song is your favorite to dance to in class?

“All Together Now” by The Beatles is a favorite song for circle dances!  (We listen to music from all over the world to get inspired.)

How long have you been teaching dance?

I began formally teaching dance in 2015, although creative movement has also been integral to my early childhood teaching for over 15 years!

Anything else you would like people to know about Move With Me?

“Move With Me” is the only class at a Fort Collins dance studio geared towards children ages 18 months through 3 years old! The benefits of this class include social, emotional, verbal, cognitive, and of course physical development… all through fun and imaginative play!

Parent Testimonial:

The thing I loved most about Sarah’s class was the parent involvement, we had so much fun! Not only are the kids getting great exercise, they’re gaining confidence and being entertained. Both my girls were huge fans of the class! -Betsy

 

Move With Me dance classes happen on Tuesdays at 10am and Saturdays at 9:30am.  To learn more and register for this class, please visit here!

Lessons In Teamwork

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Preschool Tap Dancing ClassWhen my daughter was between the ages of 6 and 8, my husband and I had a few discussions about the need to put her in a team sport.  I wasn’t against team sports in any way, but Paloma is a very small girl for her age and she always had a hard time keeping up with the bigger kids on the playground.  I would always counter that ballet is a team effort but would have a hard time articulating exactly why.  Lately, each Saturday as I’m surrounded by dancers ranging in age between 6 and 60, I’m reminded again of just what a valuable lesson in teamwork participating in productions such as Nutcracker are.

“All artists who understand the collaborative aspects of ensemble know they can often accomplish much more together than the group’s individual talented members could ever achieve on their own.” ~Dr. Patricia Hoy

Undoubtedly, participating in an ensemble production is very different than playing in competitive soccer, for instance.  There are no winners or losers, no score is kept.  On the other hand, each person on stage is personally responsible for their role while simultaneously needing to be continually aware of all the other dancers on stage.  The goal is collective: to produce the most beautiful and flawless dance… together.  And here is what I like best:  it is done for others, our audience.  I always feel so blessed to be in the field I’m in, but lately, as I’ve peeked at our group of 7-year-old Fairies sitting quietly while I work with the older dancers, I can see that they already get that they are part of a larger whole and that warms my heart incredibly.

Thank you, parents, for your part in the teamwork by allowing your children to participate and making the commitment to our production.   Here is a neat little article on all the benefits of ballet for kids.

~Alicia Laumann
CCB Artistic Director

New Executive Director, Jenna Riedi

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Canyon Concert Ballet (CCB) is proud to announce their new executive director, Jenna Riedi!

Born and raised in SE Wisconsin, Jenna Riedi graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BA in History, Religious Studies, and Classical Studies and from UW-Milwaukee with an MS in Nonprofit Management and Leadership.  Before coming to Canyon Concert Ballet, she was previously the Director of Development & Marketing for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County.  Jenna is heavily engaged in the Fort Collins community as a volunteer with both Fort Collins Cat Rescue and Animal House Dog Rescue, a member of the Larimer Chorale, a member of the Fort Collins Eyeopeners Kiwanis Club, and a graduate of Leadership Fort Collins (class of 2015-2016).

“Jenna has the personality and ambition combined with the right blend of experience, education, and enthusiasm to lead Canyon Concert Ballet. We look forward to her ability to bring additional arts education and performance offerings to our community”, Mary Pat McCurdie, Board President of Canyon Concert Ballet

“It is truly an honor to be in this role, and use my knowledge and experience to benefit such a wonderful organization!”, Jenna Riedi, Executive Director of Canyon Concert Ballet.

Join us in welcoming Jenna to the CCB team!

Old Town Studio

970-472-4156
1031 Conifer Street
Fort Collins, CO 80524
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