Dance Classes at CCB
Over the past 37 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.
Students of All Abilities & Ages
Students ages 3 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. In 2015 we welcomed Mr. David Taylor, Ms. Katherine Lawrence, Mr. Aaron Orlowski, Ms. Judy Bejarano, Professor Carol Roderick, Mr. Radoslaw Kokoszka, Ms. Brianna Furnish, and Ms. Patricia Renzetti to our studios.
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, including our Ballet Mistress, Melissa Corr.
Today, 10 of our 23 faculty members are current or former members of CCB’s Company Dancers. They pass on their incomparable experience, passion for and devotion to the amazing community that is Canyon Concert Ballet.
