FAQs
Who do I call to purchase season tickets?
Call The Lincoln Center box office at (970) 221-6730 or visit their website: https://www.lctix.com
When are Company Auditions?
Company auditions take place in the fall of each year. Auditions are open, so please don’t hesitate to audition even if you’re new to Canyon Concert Ballet! Please be prepared for a ballet class, pointe work and a contemporary section of choreography.
What are the benefits of being a Company dancer?
Some of the benefits include:
$100 per month for unlimited classes. This is waived for CCB faculty and college students!
The opportunity to perform in 4 professional level productions per year along with many other performance outlets.
2 pairs of pointe shoes annually / Men: shoes & tights each performance
2 comps per show
Video link fees only $15
Free rental space for approved projects
Choreography and teaching opportunities
What is CCB2?
CCB2 is a training company for young, highly skilled dancers generally ages 15-18, who are showing a dedication to their training and are interested in a career in dance either as a teacher, dancer or choreographer. CCB2 is considered a preparatory company for CCB’s main company.
How can I join CCB2 and who is eligible?
CCB dancers ages 15-18 who have completed one year of level 6, PLUS all non-CCB dancers ages 15-18 with a minimum of 5 years of training and 2 years of pointe are eligible to audition. Dancers are admitted through the audition process or at the invitation of the Artistic Director.
What are the class expectations for CCB2 dancers?
The minimum requirement for CCB2 dancers is 6 classes per week at CCB, with 3 ballet with 1 pointe for all dancers desiring a pointe role. Please note: these requirements are a minimum requirement. Dancers desiring a professional career in dance should endeavor to dance 3-5 hours a day, 6 days a week. Dancers interested in a professional track schedule (classical or contemporary) should meet with the Artistic Director.
What performing opportunities are available to me as a CCB2 dancer?
These dancers are eligible for all company roles if they are technically and artistically ready and meet all eligibility requirements. Dancers can be cast in roles from principal to corps de ballet depending on skill level and maturity. CCB2 dancers must audition for our Fall Ballet and Beer, Nutcracker and the Spring Ballet. Additional performing opportunities will be made available to CCB2 dancers including school shows, community events, etc.
Is CCB2 only for aspiring ballet dancers?
No. The class requirements are set up to enable both ballet and contemporary dancers to create a track that is particular to their dancing goals. For instance, a ballet dancer could/should take a minimum of 6 technique classes, be averaging 6 hours of pointe a week, Pilates and modern/ contemporary. Meanwhile, a contemporary dancer might opt to take 4 ballet classes, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip hop and Pilates. Contemporary dancers can also opt to take one ballet technique class a week on pointe to meet the requirement to be considered for a pointe role (i.e. Waltz of the Flowers, Snow Corps).
What other benefits are part of being a CCB2 dancer?
CCB2 is considered a scholarship position, therefore all dancers must sign a contract. The scholarship includes 2 pairs of pointe shoes per year and all performance fees are waived. (Men receive a pair of shoes and tights each semester.) Please see below for a list of benefits and requirements..
6 classes per week at CCB mandatory (3 ballet), with 1 on pointe minimum to be considered for pointe roles
General rehearsal schedule is Tue/Wed/Thu 7:30-9:15pm and Saturday 11:30am-5pm.
Tuition is based on CCB’s discounted unlimited monthly fee (discounts for Teacher Assistantships and need-based scholarships also available)
2 pairs of pointe shoes per year/ Men: tights and shoes each performance
2 pre-approved excused absences for rehearsals per show and 2 non-planned excused absences (no back to back Saturdays)
2 comps per show
Performance fees waived
Participation in Denver Guild Ballet Competition if desired (separate fees and tuition apply) and other performing opportunities when available.
Free rental space for approved projects/ choreography and teaching opportunities
What is the tuition for CCB2?
CCB2 dancers receive a monthly discounted unlimited tuition rate.
I have been in level 6 for two years and am 14 years old, why am I not eligible to audition?
CCB2’s guidelines are the general eligibility requirements to audition. Very skilled and mature dancers who are not yet 15 may be asked by the Artistic Director to audition from time to time, but this is an exception. In general, dancers need both the skill and the artistic and emotional maturity to fulfill the responsibility required of the long rehearsal hours, the physical demands and the acting required for more mature roles.
School FAQ’s
Below are answers to some of the questions we are frequently asked by dancers and their families. If you cannot find an answer to your question here, please look in the section of our website that the question pertains to, as many questions are answered in the general overview pages. You are also welcome to contact us for additional information.
What is the School Admission Process?
First, come try a free class! We add students to our dance school year-round. Our regular school year is broken into two semesters from Mid-August thru early June, and we also offer a 10 week summer session. Dancers may join the school at any time, even in the middle of a session. Please contact us for additional information.
May I just dance in the Summer?
Summer Sessions are open to everyone, so feel free to participate only in summer! For younger dancers or children new to dance, a summer session may be just the right way to try out dance before committing to a semester of classes. Year-round students generally stay at the same level through the summer that they were in the prior school year. If you are new to CCB and not sure what to register for over the summer, please contact us.
How old do I have to be to dance at Canyon Concert Ballet?
We offer classes for tiny dancers as young as 18 months. Some require parent participation, others are for young dancers on their own. Classes for young children and toddlers are specially designed for their abilities and attention level and are guaranteed to be fun and foster a love of dance.
Am I too old to dance at Canyon Concert Ballet?
We offer classes for students of all ages and abilities! Our teen/adult classes are suitable for anyone ages 12 to seniors. Canyon Concert Ballet is the only studio in the region to offer truly advanced 90 minute classes in ballet for adults. If you have not danced in a while, try our Adult Open Level classes to determine your best placement.
Do you have classes for boys?
At Canyon Concert Ballet, all classes are co-educational. Boys are encouraged to try any dance style that interests them. Scholarships are available for boys enrolled in the Ballet program beginning at age 7.
How will I know which class level to register for?
If you have questions about which classes are most appropriate, please contact our office and we can help you determine which class is best for you.
How many classes should I take each week?
Class commitments vary by age, level, and by student interest. Beginning dancers generally take one to two classes each week. Some of our most dedicated dancers take ten or more classes weekly.
How much does it cost to be in The Nutcracker?
Student dancers selected to participate in The Nutcracker pay a $200 participation fee which covers costume cleaning and maintenance, and administration costs. If costume or class fees are a challenge for you, please let us know! We often have fundraising opportunities available to help students cover their costume/class fees.
How much do Showcase costumes cost?
We strive to keep costume fees affordable. Costumes for our student showcase are usually about $65 per class. Participation in our Spring Student Showcase is entirely optional – you are welcome to take classes and choose not to participate in the showcase. If costume or class fees are a challenge for you, please let us know! We often have fundraising opportunities available to help students cover their costume/class fees.
What other dance styles does CCB offer besides ballet?
Canyon Concert Ballet offers professional dance training in many disciplines besides ballet and pointe, including modern, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tap, and musical theatre.
When do students begin pointe classes?
We are exceptionally cautious with our young dancers and will not invite them to take pre-pointe strengthening and/or pointe classes until we feel they are ready. Generally, dancers are placed en pointe at CCB in Level 5.
What should I expect on my first day?
On your first day, please visit our office manager, Sue Northburg, in our main office. She will provide you with paperwork to fill out and take some information from you, including your age and number of years of previous training. From there, she will provide you with your week’s schedule of appropriate classes based on your age and training for our trained staff to determine what classes will be the best fit for you.
How is my class level determined?
During your first week the teachers will provide feedback to our School Director. Our School Director will then chat with parents/guardian and the student to determine a schedule and level that is right for you. Please note: Placement for dancers in levels 5 and up can be a week-long process. For these levels, teachers need to see the student several times, including pointe technique, for accurate placement. We will then work with you to create a schedule in all genres that is appropriate.
How long are students typically in each level?
Our curriculum for levels Ballet 3 and up, and for all levels of other genres (jazz, contemporary, modern) are considered 2-3 year curricular levels. This means, students should expect to stay at each level from ballet 3 and up and for all genre classes for a minimum of 2 years. The vocabulary and expectations for these levels is rich and students who are working hard will continue to progress. Students not meeting technical benchmarks may be required to stay in a level more than 2 years. Likewise, other students may progress more quickly, but never significantly beyond their age group.
When do assessments occur and can I be moved up a level mid-year?
Assessments are handed out at the end of each semester (Winter and Spring). Students can be invited to change levels at any point during the year if an instructor feels it would be beneficial for the student to do so.
As a student dancer, what are my performing opportunities?
CCB offers multiple performing opportunities. In addition to the opportunities for some dancers to perform in the Company’s annual The Nutcracker and spring ballets, CCB’s students perform in the yearly Showcase. Youth Ensemble performs at 3 competitions annually and a variety of local small performances as well.
What is Youth Ensemble?
The Youth Ensemble at CCB is designed for the dedicated dancer ages 7+ who desire performance opportunities in other styles that go beyond the annual Spring Showcase and our holiday performance of The Nutcracker. Dancers may choose to compete in as many as 3 competitions in a variety of genres incorporating modern, contemporary, jazz and musical theater among others. Besides the dance competitions and conventions the dancer will perform at community events throughout the year including outreach events at schools and senior centers. Our dancers exhibit gracious professionalism at all times and we are strongly committed to age-appropriate music, costuming, and choreography.
When are auditions for the Youth Ensemble and Company Productions?
Auditions for the CCB Company happen in the fall of each year. Nutcracker auditions fall in late August, while auditions for the Spring Ballet usually occur in January. Please note, The Nutcracker and the Spring Concert is a company production and auditions are open to students on an as needed basis. Youth Ensemble auditions are usually held in May.