School

Dance Classes at CCB

Over the past 40 years, Canyon Concert Ballet has set the standard for classical and contemporary dance education and performance in Northern Colorado. Our dance classes have set the stage for alumni to dance professionally, to own or direct smaller dance studios, to choreograph new works, and to stage the works of masters like Balanchine for companies in other parts of the U.S. Dancers trained at Canyon Concert Ballet enjoy many choices when embarking upon professional careers.

Students at our school inherit knowledge from our dedicated faculty, who nurture each child’s potential for artistry and encourage self-confidence. Joy and agility are gained through training, mentoring and performing experiences furthering their natural talents and varied skills.

Our faculty is committed to providing guidance and experience that shape the performer both technically and artistically – not only to become professional dancers, but to develop the confidence and discipline in pursuing all their life goals.

With an emphasis on providing world-class classical ballet training with a broad Russian Vaganova curricular base, our dancers can broaden their training through classes in jazz, modern, contemporary, tap, hip hop, Pilates and more.  Students are able to train year-round when they include our Summer Intensives with guests artist from around the world in combination with our Summer Session.

Our Parent/Student Handbook for 2020-21 is here.

Learn more about our:

• Ambassador Program
• Emerging Choreographers Program
• Professional Training Program

Register to Join CCB!

You may register online here, or you may fill out our registration and waiver forms and bring them in during open hours.  Please call us at 970-472-4156 or email at info@ccballet.org with any questions!

Download a pdf of the 2020-21 class schedule here.

Students of All Abilities & Ages

Students ages 18 months through adult take part in dance classes at Canyon Concert Ballet. Central to our purpose is inspiring and challenging students to achieve their best, no matter the season of their life.

Technique & Methods

Canyon Concert Ballet believes that the methods and sequences of The Royal Academy of Dance which influence our Young Dancer Program and the techniques of the Russian method of ballet developed by the Russian dancer and pedagogue Agrippina Vaganova (1879–1951) – which inspired our syllabus to the dedicated students beginning in Ballet 4 – is the best possible foundation for a lifetime of dance. Dance classes in other genres is kept up to date through our instructors attending conventions and other teacher training.

Ballet Class Technique

Our syllabus is inspired by the Vaganova method of teaching ballet. The Vaganova method has produced many of history’s most impressive ballet dancers, including Anna Pavlova, George Balanchine, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Yuri Grigorovich, Ulyana Lopatkina, and Svetlana Zakharova. More importantly, the Russian method balances a clear anatomical understanding with a precise method of instruction, focusing on safety and precision. This approach develops strong, healthy bodies ready for lifelong movement! All our dance instructors have had instruction in pedagogy and continue to take advanced classes to further refine their own technique.

Expert Faculty

To ensure that the technique taught at the Ballet Academy develops the exceptional dancers who can fulfill the needs of our Company, we frequently invite exceptional guest faculty to northern Colorado for Master Classes or to choreograph a ballet or a guide our season.

Over the years, alumni of the CCB Company have come to form a portion of the School’s permanent faculty. These talented instructors include some who were trained by and danced for our Founder, Carole Torguson, during the earliest days of CCB.

Meet our faculty members here!

Ambassador Program

1. You get Work/Study opportunities that will allow youth gain skills and knowledge for your future.
2. Represent CCB in high profile outreach and activities.
3. Get CCB SWAG.
4. Get mentoring to become a CCB Teaching Assistant. Being a TA can get you credits to lower tuition for the year and the CCB Summer Intensive.
5. They Ambassadors will do Instagram Takeovers of CCB’s account.

1. You need  to be 12+ years old.
2. Need to have excellent attendance. (80%+)
3. Recommendation letters from a fellow CCB dancer and teacher.
4.  Volunteer 10 hours a year.
5. Fill out application – application is available here

Professional Training Program

About

Canyon Concert Ballet’s Professional Training Program is an opportunity for dancers with the potential and desire to become professional dancers to expand their training.  The program is designed to offer the dancer with extensive training, mentorship and performing experiences that will prepare them for the professional world. This after school program is for dancers that are at a ballet 4 level or higher. By level 7 the dancer may choose between a classical or a contemporary concentration. By the end of the program the dancer will be prepared for company and college auditions. Acceptance into the program is through an application and interview process.

Application & Program Requirements

Applications are due May 31st, 2020 for Fall acceptance and December 15th, 2020 for Spring acceptance. A $15 application fee is due upon submission. Once the application has been reviewed the dancer and parent/guardian will receive their interview date. Acceptance letter to the program will be mailed a week after the interview has taken place.

Application is available here. 

Requirements through the program:

• The dancer must maintain an 80% attendance.
• Behave in a professional manner in class and at CCB events.
• Audition for at least one CCB production.
• Maintain a clean and appropriate social media presence if the dancer has one.

Training & Schedule

Training hours and requirements increase with each level preparing the dancer with the technical, performative and life skills necessary for the professional world.

Weekly sample schedules listed below by level:

Ballet Level 4

• 3 Ballet Classes
• 1 Pointe or
• Pre Pointe
• 1 Modern
• 1 Elective

Ballet Level 5

• 4 Ballet Classes
• 2 Pointe
• 1 Modern
• 1 Elective

Ballet Level 6

• 4 Ballet Classes
• 2 Pointe
• 1 Modern
• 1 Pilates
• 1 Elective

Ballet Level 7:  Classical Concentration

• 5 Ballet Classes
• 2 Pointe/ Variation
• 1 Modern
• 1 Contemporary
• 1 Pilates

Ballet Level 7:  Contemporary Concentration

• 3 Ballet Classes
• 1 Modern
• 1 Jazz
• 1 Contemporary
• 1 Elective

Dress Code

Ladies

• Black leotard
• Pink or True Bare tight
• Pink, brown or bronze canvas and pointe shoe
• Short skirts may be worn only for variation classes and rehearsals
• Hair should be worn in a professional ballet style, away from the face and off the neck

Gentlemen

• White Gabe Shirt
• Black Tights
• White ballet socks
• Black or white canvas ballet shoe
• Dance Belt
• Hair should be neatly groomed

Professional Development

In addition to the weekly classes the dancer will receive:

• Biannual assessments with the School Director and Ballet Coordinator
• Assistance with applications and resume building
• 10% off studio rental
• Yearly In-Studio Variation Performance

For Program questions please contact:

Analia Weber, School Director