VYBC DANCERS' DISH NEWSLETTER- Aug. 11, 2026

Hello Dancers & Parents!

We hope everyone had a chance to get out and enjoy the Vail Dance Festival events! Vail Friends of Dance is so proud of our VYBC Dancers who participated as Ambassadors, danced in the Celebrate the Beat number, performed at the Tiny Tea Party, attended Master Classes and made it to the dancer outing and other Dance Festival performances!

August is an exciting month as the VYBC season begins with this week's Technique Week, Tier Placement (Aug. 29) and the Annual VFOD/VYBC Welcome Tea on Sunday, August 30. As a reminder, this is a mandatory event for all dancers and at least one parent. We need assistance with set-up and clean-up and a few food items. Please RSVP and Sign-up by August 14.

Please be sure you are reading emails in their entirety, RSVPing/responding by deadlines and noting calendar dates.

VVAD Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance is available through Vail Friends of Dance. Please see the attached application and turn in ALL required materials by August 14, 2026 (no exceptions).

As always, please reach out with any questions!

Thank you!

Meggen Kirkham, VFOD President & The VFOD Board Members

970-331-5073

vailfriendsofdance@gmail.com

2026-27 Board Members:

Meggen Kirkham, President & Marketing/PR
Linda Lampert, Vice President / Historian
Christy Hasselbach, Treasurer
Claudine Norden, Secretary & Volunteer Coordinator
Jenna Barclay, Director of Development & Philanthropy
Theresa Anders, Props Coordinator & Dancer Outings
Deb Gifford, Costumes
Kate Drescher, Senior Advisor

Important Dates

Technique Intensive Week, August 10 - 14 (mandatory - details and sign up)

Financial Assistance App Due - Aug. 14

RSVP for Welcome Tea - August 14

VFOD/VYBC Dance Captain Application Due - August 28

VYBC Tier Placement Class, 10:00 am - 12:30pm, Saturday, August 29 (mandatory)

2026 Welcome Tea - Sunday, August 30 at Vail Christian High School "Commons" (mandatory for dancers and at least one parent), 12:30pm - 4pm, RSVP Here

VVAD Classes Begin - August 31

Duck Fundraiser Sales Due - August 31

Nutcracker Auditions, September 12 (mandatory)

VYBC Photo Day, September 13 (mandatory)

Nutcracker Costume Fitting Day, September 19 (mandatory)

NEW!! Cleo Parker Robinson Teambuilding Outing (for those that RSVP'd/purchased ticket) - September 20

Saturday Rehearsals Begin - Sept. 26

Fall Break - Oct. 12 - 17 (there IS rehearsal Saturday Oct. 10)

New York Trip (for those attending) - Oct. 14 - 18th

Nutcracker Cast Photo Day, November 7 (mandatory)

Pointe Shoe Party, November 14 (mandatory)

Barbie Nutcracker/Senior Center Visit - November 15, Eagle (optional)

Thanksgiving Break - November 22 - 29 (there IS rehearsal Nov. 21)

Ritz-Carlton Pop Up Performance - November 28 (optional)

Dress Rehearsal & Cast Pizza Party, Dec 12, VVAD - Edwards (mandatory)

Performance Week, Dec 14 - 20 @ the Vilar (mandatory)

Nutcracker 2026 Performances:

Thurs. Dec 17 at 7:00pm

Fri. Dec 18 at 7:00pm

Sat. Dec 19 at 1:00 pm and 7:00pm

DANCERS' POINTE

NEW!!! 2026-27 Dance Captain(s) Opportunity & Application

Vail Friends of Dance is seeking Dancer Captains to be a part of the Vail Youth Ballet Company Committee for the 2026-27 season. Your role as a Dance Captain will be extremely important, not only for VYBC and VFOD, but as a way for you to gain valuable leadership skills to showcase in job and college applications. Learn more about the responsibilities, qualifications, and how to apply (by August 28th) here.

Dancers are required to join 'VYBC Strength Training' Band

Flexibility will be a main focus for the company this coming season. We have started a VYBC Strength Training Band where we will add pictures and videos of exercises we are requiring the dancers to be doing at home to improve their flexibility with strength. Please see that link below, accept the invite and join the group!

https://band.us/n/a7a3b00aU2Sfm

FUNDRAISING - Rotary Duck Sales

For dancers interested in raising funds for their personal dancer education account, the Rotary Duck Sales is in full swing! Dancers earn 75% of the profit and can sell ducks online or any location with permission (i.e. Walmart, City Market, Village Market). Selling the ducks through the website: Vail Duck Race is easiest. Make sure the buyer selects Vail Friends of Dance as the non-profit AND that you are tracking who buys ducks on your behalf, so you are credited with the sale. If you would like paper order forms, please contact Christy Hasselbach. All sales must be complete and money turned into Christy Hasselbach by Monday, August 31. We will also need a few volunteers on Sunday, Sept. 6th to work the event. Please contact Christy to sign up!!

Vail Friends of Dance | Contact Us |

Vail Friends of Dance is a IRS 501 (c) (3) organization. VFOD does not discriminate on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, age, race, color or ethnic origin.

You are receiving this e-mail because you joined the Vail Friends of Dance/Vail Youth Ballet distribution list.