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Thoughts from Artistic Director, Alicia Laumann
Thoughts from Artistic Director, Alicia LaumannOver the last several weeks, Abby Behm, our CCB School Director, and I have been busy organizing a thoughtful, rigorous, and fun Summer Intensive for June 11-23. This Summer Intensive is for our CCB dance family as well as all dancers in the region who might want to participate. In planning the intensive, I started to reminisce about my own summer intensive pathway. After my 6th and 7th grade years, I attended a larger local studio’s summer intensive for 2 and 3 weeks, respectively. I went on to attend some fairly prestigious summer intensives: a summer at San Francisco Ballet, one at Cleveland Ballet, one at Ballet Austin, and one, my favorite, in Budapest, Hungary.
But aside from Budapest, my best memories are still from those early local intensives. I still remember getting home at the end of the day so sore and so tired I would sit in the lazy boy the rest of the evening watching TV! I also remember the west African classes we took. The newness of the style, the live drumming, and being combined with “the big girls” all made for an invigorating experience that stuck with me. Finally, though I was a bit nervous in my various classes, mostly I remember how much fun I had. Over 30 years later, I still remember just how the kitchen at the local studio looked and all of us sitting around on the floor with our lunches spread out each day. (In contrast, I remember grabbing a bagel and eating alone on the steps in San Francisco.)
Pulling from those memories, here is what participating dancers should expect from the experience at the summer intensive:
- A physically, intellectually, and stylistically challenging week. They should expect to be sore and tired at the end of the day. This is a good thing! It means they are growing and getting stronger.
- A diverse curriculum that will expose them to new genres of dance. Immersing themselves in styles outside their comfort zone can be eye-opening and influential for future career pathways. The benefits of diversified training can last beyond a single summer!
- Fun and friendship. Spending all day with other dancers is a socially connecting and rewarding experience.
The intensive is open to all dancers in CCB levels 3 and up, and to all non-CCB dancers with appropriate experience. Visit here for all information and to register!
Musical Zoo is a children’s event put on by Friends of the Fort Collins Symphony, featuring a variety of musical entertainment and short performances. Musical Zoo also includes a ballet performance by Canyon Concert Ballet! There will be a “Petting Zoo” where children can hold and play various instruments, and Canyon Concert Ballet will also be part of the petting zoo with dance shoes and tutus. The grand finale, Mother Goose Tales, will be performed by the Fort Collins Symphony, directed by Maestro Wes Kenney, and accompanied by theatrical narration and dance by the Canyon Concert Ballet Youth Ensemble and other select CCB dancers.
In week-long half or full day dance camps, children from ages 3-12 will explore the magic of dance through themed movement and music. Our camps include dance, song, storytelling, acting, crafts and creative games based on the weekly themes. To register, please email Office Manager Sue Northburg at info@ccballet.org or call 970.472.4156
The Canyon Concert Ballet School Summer Intensive offers a unique 2-week program. Week 1, June 11-16th, offers a Ballet Concentration. Week 2, June 18-23rd, offers a Contemporary Concentration. Today’s dance world demands a versatile dancer. This unique 2 week intensive offers the training today’s aspiring dancers need. While each week may be taken individually, we highly recommend enrolling in both weeks for the full benefits of the intensive.
