History

Colorado's Classical Youth Ballet
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Colorado's Classical Youth Ballet was launched in September of 2003 in response to the high level of achievement co-directors Patricia Hoffman and Holly Marble were finding in their studio. This group of approximately 40 young pre-professional dancers (who study and rehearse year-round) present classical and contemporary ballet to audiences throughout the Pikes Peak Region. For its debut performance in 2004, the Youth Ballet performed with guest artists Stella Abrera and Sascha Radetsky, soloists of American Ballet Theatre, at the Pikes Peak Center. Other Youth Ballet repertoire includes nationally renowned La Barre; Paquita; Act III, Coppelia; Aurora's Wedding; Balanchine's Valse Fantaisie; Cinderella; and excerpts from Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty. A company-wide presentation featuring a full length version of the ballet classic Coppelia was met by a sold out, standing ovation.

The 2006-2007 performance season:

• Peter and the Wolf with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Family Concert Series #1 at the Pikes Peak Center in October.
• Light! and Have You Heard the News...with Sunrise Church Woodman and Briargate campuses featured Ballet Society worship dancers in multiple performances in December.
• Holiday Tea with Tchaikovsky, an original produciton performed at Rampart HS Theatre.
• Amahl and the Night Visitors with the Colorado Springs Conservatory with three performances at the Sangre de Christo Performing Arts Center in Pueblo and the Pikes Peak Center in December.
• Dessert, Dance, Dreams sponsored by Colorado Springs Dance Theatre featuring promising local dancers. In studio concert in January.
• Hansel and Gretel with the Opera Theatre of the Rockies at the Pikes Peak Center in March.
• Benjamin Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra and Mozart's Les Petits Riens with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Family Concert Series #2 at the Pikes Peak Center in April.
• The Ugly Duckling and Zoo Song with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Family Concert #3 at the Pikes Peak Center in April.
• Menotti's Unicorn with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs and the Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble (presented by Colorado College and The Colorado Springs School)
• Cinderella with Ballet Society of Colorado Springs Pre Professional Division and Colorado's Classical Youth Ballet; four act ballet performed at Rampart HS Theatre.

Beyond the above listed productions, several Youth Ballet members enjoyed the opportunity of dancing professional company roles with the San Diego Ballet in the Colorado Springs Philharmonic's 2006 production of The Nutcracker at the Pikes Peak Center in November. Special kudos to: Juliana Bicki (Russian, Snow, and Principal Merliton); Amy Brooks (Merliton); Kayla Coburn (Snow); Kim Dorland (Russian and Merliton); Melody Hoffman (Chinese and Flowers); Susanna Hoffman (Snow); Paige Hupy (Chinese); Hannah Johnson (Clara); Hillary MacPhee (Russian and Merliton); Angela Wood (Russian and Principal Merliton); Erika Yeager (Chinese, Snow, and Flowers).

Colorado's Classical Youth Ballet assures that dancers with exceptional talent and potential receive the necessary experience to go on to professional careers. Several members have been accepted into, and awarded scholarships to summer programs of renowned ballet schools and dance programs of major universities. Youth Ballet dancers have received top honors in state and national ballet competitions.

The Youth Ballet's home studio is the Ballet Society of Colorado Springs which was founded in 1996 to provide aspiring dancers (ages 3 and up) superior training in a teaching environment that challenges the individual to attain new levels of excellence. In addition, the studio sets itself apart by encouraging a philosophy which promotes community, cooperation and camaraderie. Training in classical ballet, contemporary dance, hip hop, Pilates and worship dance for advanced, intermediate and beginning dancers is held in the spacious confines of the Ballet Society's custom-designed facility at 4005 Lee Vance View, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 in northeastern Colorado Springs.