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40th September
news & updates
| September 1, 2024 | Vol. 5 #1 | |
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Nutcracker
Open Auditions
Dreaming of mice scampering and sugarplums dancing?
You, too, can venture into the Land of Snow & the Kingdom of the Sweets!
Be a part of The Nutcracker!
Auditions are open to the community. No dance experience required!
TWO Performances on Dec. 21
NUTCRACKER AUDITION
DATES & TIMES
Open Community Auditions
(Attend one audition only)
Saturday, September 21
10:30-12:00 pm (Ages 12 & up with dance experience)
2:00-3:15 pm (Ages 5 - 12 with or without dance experience)
2:00 - 2:20 pm Nutcracker Q & A for parents
Sunday, September 22
2:00-3:15 pm (Ages 5 - 12 w/ or w/o dance experience)
2:00 - 2:20 pm Nutcracker Q & A for parents
BCB Concentrated Studies students’ auditions
Saturday, September 21
9:00-10:30 am for A1.A2.B1-levels
10:30 am-12:00 pm for B2.C1.C2.D.E-levels
$28 audition fee 1 child
$48 audition fee 2 children
Please RSVP info@brasscityballet.org
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BCB Company Audition
Brass City Ballet Company is a student-based performing group whose student members are enrolled in BCB's Concentrated Studies program at C2-level and above. BCB Company includes BCB alumni and guest professional dancers.
Friday, September 13
3:30 - 5:30 pm
$28 audition fee
Please RSVP info@brasscityballet.org
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“We are born with singing and dancing in our blood,
and it shows in our movements.”
—Nina Ananiashvili, State Ballet of Georgia's artistic director, on the Georgian dancers who make up the bulk of the company
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Ballet Field Trip to Lincoln Center
Coppélia
Performed by New York City Ballet
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Sunday, September 29
3:00 pm performance
Ticket $175 Each
Includes Ticket & Bus Fare*
*Ditch the hassle of driving and parking in the City!
Bus leaves BCB at 10:15 am and returns approximately 8:30 pm
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Tickets available on a
first-come, first-serve basis.
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Reserve your seat for this ballet favorite by emailing info@brasscityballet.org
Information required:
Name(s) of attendees
Indicate Adult or Child (if Child, add age)
Cell #
Payment must be made in full
by cash or check made out to:
Brass City Ballet
1255 Middlebury Road, CT 06762
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“Just as Giselle is ballet’s great tragedy,
so Coppélia is its great comedy.”
George Balanchine
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Mandatory Parents/Students Meeting
For Concentrated Studies Program Families Only
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Wednesday, September 4
6:30 - 7:15 pm
Merlin Studio
This meeting will address the important topic of the current social dynamics amongst students at Brass City Ballet, its impacts on their well being and development as dancers and the policies to be implemented in the coming year.
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Master Classes with Sergei Upkin
Thursday, September 12
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Sergei Upkin
is a graduate of the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy and a principal dancer with Estonian National Ballet. Mr. Upkin taught at BCB's 2024 Summer Intensive.
Welcome back, Sergei!
See full bio here
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Master Class Schedule:
3:30 - 5:00 pm Int/Adv Ballet (BCB's C1.C2.D.E-levels)
5:00 - 6:00 pm Private Lesson (1st come, 1st serve)
6:00 - 7:00 pm Beg Ballet (BCB's A1.A2.B1.B2-levels)
7:00 - 8:00 pm Private Lesson (1st come, 1st serve)
Master Class Fees:
$40 General Public
$20 Concentrated Studies Program Students
$10 BCB Company
Private Lessons: Email info@brasscityballet.org
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At & Around the Ballet Barre | |
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Be a part of BCB's Gala Performance at the Palace Theater!
As part of its 40th anniversary celebration, BCB will hold a Gala performance at the Palace Theater on May 24 in which the entire school body will take part.
We invite all BCB alumni to return and join us on the stage that evening. Let us know if you can participate by emailing info@brasscityballet.org.
See you onstage!
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Our New Partnership
Elizabeth Fisk Barisser & Julio Alegria
In a momentous year marking its 40th anniversary, Brass City Ballet (BCB) is delighted to announce a new leadership structure that reflects both its rich history and its forward-looking vision. Effective September 1, 2024, Founder and Artistic Director, Elizabeth Fisk Barisser, and current Associate Artistic Director, Julio Alegria, will share the role of Artistic Director. This co-directorship collaboration signifies a bold step forward for the organization as it honors its legacy while embracing new and innovative directions.
The shared directorship between Ms. Barisser and Mr. Alegria ensures that BCB remains anchored in its esteemed traditions while simultaneously charting new paths. As the organization enters this exciting new phase, it continues to be a beacon of artistic excellence and inclusivity in the arts community.
“I’ve worked with Brass City Ballet and Elizabeth over many years”, adds Mr. Alegria, “as a dancer and instructor and last year formalized my role as Associate Artistic Director with BCB. It’s been a great year, and I’m excited and looking forward to working alongside Elizabeth to learn more of her styles, culture and traditions while bringing my own energy, experience and styles of instruction to innovate and bring value to our dancers going forward.”
Adding to this exciting news, BCB is proud to highlight that Julio Alegria has been selected as the 2024-2025 School of American Ballet (SAB) National Visiting Fellow. This prestigious fellowship is awarded to U.S.-based classical ballet teachers who have demonstrated a strong commitment to educating students from diverse backgrounds. As a Visiting Fellow, Mr. Alegria will participate in two fully-funded sessions at SAB, where he will observe classes, teach SAB students, receive feedback from esteemed faculty and engage in discussions on key topics in dance education with administrative staff and faculty. This important link with SAB, a world renowned dance organization, opens up many future growth opportunities for BCB.
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Above: Julio Alegria in The Nutcracker | |
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In recognition of this achievement, BCB will also receive a $5,000 grant from the fellowship program, which will be dedicated to enhancing current or future diversity-related initiatives within the organization.
“While reminiscing about the past, I also look forward to the future, a future that seeks inspiring change”, Ms. Barisser points out. “Our new partnership heralds growth in bold, new directions. Together, Julio and I look forward to moving BCB forward, hand in hand.”
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About the School of American Ballet
Founded by the choreographer and artistic director of New York City Ballet, George Balanchine, the School of American Ballet (SAB) is the preeminent ballet school in the US. It trains talented dancers from diverse backgrounds for professional careers in ballet while enriching the life of every student. Since its founding in 1934, SAB has trained more dancers for careers in professional ballet than any other US school. Alumni comprise more than 95% of New York City Ballet and fill the ranks of companies across the US and around the world. SAB is the future of classical ballet.
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Brass City Ballet
Studio Manager Position
Brass City Ballet (BCB), a non-profit dance school based in Middlebury, has a job opening for a part time Studio Manager who reports to the Artistic Directors; creates & maintains communications (website, emails, phone calls, etc), helping to link staff, board members, faculty, students and parents; oversees the physical structure of the organization (office supplies, maintaining studio appearance); manages miscellaneous payments, all student records and assists the Director and staff/volunteers in carrying out all programs: classes, events, performances and fundraisers.
The Studio Manager is someone who is comfortable with people and technology and can learn new software platforms quickly. BCB's Studio Manager is present Monday - Thursday during class hours in late afternoon to early evenings and Saturday mornings; engages with parents and students; and has the interpersonal and diplomatic communication skills to handle sensitive conversations with a sense of calm and grace.
BCB's Studio Manager is a team player with an interest in the business of dance and who has the confidence to complete projects proactively and independently. Kindness and a sense of humor are a must.
Brass City Ballet’s mission is to provide the art, technique and joy of dance through its school, student performing company and community outreach while imparting important life skills of discipline, responsibility, commitment, and hard work.
The hours are:
- Mon., Wed., Thurs, 3:30 - 6:30 pm;
- Tues. 2:00 - 6:30 pm;
- Sat. 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Starting pay is $16/hour during the 3-month training period and increases to $18 upon completion of training.
Please send your resume to info@brasscityballet.org
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Happy September Birthdays!
9/5 Celina Gordon
9/8 Monika Smith
9/11 Bridget Moffie
9/13 Alessia Topalli
9/14 Angie Dufour
9/16 Brooke Dietrich
9/20 Elizabeth Datlow
9/25 Sophia Yucelen
9/26 Gianna Donnelly
9/27 Elena Kiely
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Brass City Ballet 1255 Middlebury Road, Middlebury, CT 06762
www.brasscityballet.org 203-598-0186
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