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SBC kicks off season with Summer Outreach Tour
The Springfield Ballet Company kicked off its 39th season with our Summer Outreach Tour, June 10-14.
Dancers performed at more than 15 facilities throughout the Springfield area, including senior centers, long-term care facilities, The Hope School, St. John's Breadline, Rochester Library, and many more!
The Summer Outreach Tour allows the SBC to bring the art of dance to audiences who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend SBC productions. In addition to the entertainment the SBC brings to these facilities and its residents, the tour is a valuable civic experience for the young dancers.
SBC dancer Alana Aragon says, "I really do like the outreach to the community. The best part is seeing the smiles on their faces after we perform. Our visit means a lot to them; and it makes me happy to brighten up their day with my passion to dance."
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SBC featured on Illinois Central TV
Thank you to Illinois Central TV for this great segment on the Springfield Ballet Company and what it takes to be a ballet dancer!
Click HERE to view the video!
Illinois Central is a weekly half-hour feature program that airs at 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 10:35 p.m. on Sundays on ABC Newschannel 20 and 15.
"Every week Illinois Central brings you the stories about people in central Illinois. From area history to the arts, the great outdoors to health and fitness -- if it's happening in Central Illinois, we'll bring you the story."
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Educating our dancers
SBC dancers and Academy Trainees have already had a busy summer filled with exciting guest artists, master teachers and unique opportunities!
Over Memorial Day weekend, Julie Tice (SBC alumni and former dancer with Paul Taylor Dance Company) set a piece to the music of Billy Joel on the Company for SBC's upcoming production of Rockballet and taught a master class in modern technique for our Company dancers and Trainees.
On May 26th, Trainees took a "pre-quiz" in classical ballet terminology. Trainees will be responsible for learning more than 75 ballet terms, as well as their definitions, during the 2013-2014 season. Upon earning an "A" on their quiz, the Trainees will be rewarded with an exclusive "TRAINEE" t-shirt generously provided by the SBC Board of Directors.
On June 1st, Company dancers and Trainees had the wonderful experience of taking ballet class with live piano accompaniment provided by Treshani Perera. Miss Perera recently completed her MM (Master's of Music in Piano Accompanying) at Illinois State University. During the spring semester, Miss Perera accompanied the Classical Ballet II course that SBC Ballet Mistress Gina DeCroix Russell teaches at ISU.
The weekend of June 14th, Miss Alison Rhoades (SBC alumni and recent graduate with a BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) set her Rockballet piece on our Company dancers and taught a master class in modern technique to our Company dancers and Trainees.
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Keep us in the right position!
Keep us in the right position and help the Springfield Ballet Company provide some very special shoes to some very special . . .
Company Dancers ~
Our 30 Company dancers dedicate an average of 20 hours per week training to perform for audiences and provide dance education and performances to community groups. The delicate pointe shoes our dancers wear provide a rigid support that prevents injury. Each pair is made by hand and after only a few rehearsals, the shoes become unusable and must be replaced. Through the course of a season of three or more productions, each dancer can expect to wear through a minimum of six pairs of pointe shoes at a cost of $60 to $75 a pair. SBC would like to provide each dancer the pointe shoes necessary for our productions. Please help us continue this tradition.
Boys & Girls ~
In the fall of 2013, the SBC will again offer its Ballet Outreach Program. This program was established 10 years ago to provide dance education to young people from areas that are often underexposed to the fine arts. The Ballet Outreach Program is offered in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield, and teaches basic ballet to students ages six to 18. In addition to six months of weekly classes conducted by SBC volunteer ballet instructors, the Company provides ballet shoes, tights, leotards, bags and a t-shirt -- all at no cost to each student dancer. At the end of each season, parents and friends are invited to attend a free ballet recital performed by the Boys & Girls Clubs Ballet Outreach Program dancers at The Legacy Theatre.
Your contribution will help the SBC provide its Company dancers and the
Boys & Girls Clubs dance students with the shoes they need for our upcoming season!
Click here to find out how you can contribute to our 2013 Shoe Fund, or contact SBC Administrative Director Sally Hamilton at hamilton@springfieldballetco.org or 217-544-1967 for more information.
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Summer Intensive Workshop 2013
Week 1: July 29 to August 2, 2013
Week 2: August 5 to August 9, 2013
9:00 a.m. to noon daily $150 per week, or $15 per class
Hoogland Center for the Arts - Theatre II Deadline for application - July 26, 2013 (or when classes reach capacity) (Recommended age for dancers is 10 and up)
Click here for additional information and registration form
The Springfield Ballet Company's 2013 Summer Intensive Workshop is a great way for dancers to supplement their training and improve their skills, while working with outstanding master teachers in a positive, nurturing environment.
Classes are held daily from 9:00 a.m. to noon in Theatre II at the Hoogland Center for the Arts.
Only 20 dancers will be accepted to each week long session; and admission is on a first-come, first-serve basis. (Please note: 18 dancers have already registered for Week 1 and 15 dancers have already registered for Week 2! Register soon to secure your spot before we reach capacity!)
Dancers must be at least 10 years of age and dancing at an intermediate level.
Please contact SBC Artistic Director Julie Ratz with any questions.
Deadline to apply is Friday, July 26, 2013, or when classes reach capacity.
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To the POINTE...
To the POINTE, the Springfield Ballet Company's e-newsletter, highlights what's happening throughout our season -- whether it be performances, dancer spotlights, community events, workshops, giving opportunities, special discounts or general announcements! We hope you enjoy receiving these updates.
And, if you love the information you are receiving, please forward our e-newsletter to a friend! All the best, Julie Ratz, SBC Artistic Director
Sally Hamilton, SBC Administrative Director
Gina DeCroix Russell, SBC Ballet Mistress |
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Our Mission
The Springfield Ballet Company provides dance education and performances to enrich our community through the beauty, energy and diversity of dance.
Springfield Ballet Company Hoogland Center for the Arts 420 S. Sixth Street Springfield, IL 62701 217-544-1967 217-544-1968 (fax) info@springfieldballetco.org www.springfieldballetco.org
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Upcoming Events:
Project Scope Workshop:
June 20, 2013
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum Summer Series Performance:
July 18, 2013
COMPASS Workshop:
July 19, 2013
SBC Summer Intensive Workshops: July 29 - August 9, 2013
Illinois State Fair Performance: August 10, 2013
Boys & Girls Clubs Ballet Outreach:
Ongoing through Fall and Spring
Rockballet:
September 14 & 15, 2013
Auditions for The Nutcracker:
September 22, 2013
Illinois Symphony Orchestra's
Holidays in the Heartland:
November 23, 2013
Festival of Trees Performance:
November 2013
The Nutcracker:
December 14 & 15, 2013
First Night Springfield Performance:
December 31, 2013
Dance in Illinois:
Spring 2014
Boys & Girls Clubs Recital:
Spring 2014
Trainee Recital:
Spring 2014
Men in Tights:
Spring 2014
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Photos: Caryn Broomby
Donna Lounsberry
John Muchow
Gina DeCroix Russell
Patrick Russell
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