CENTER FOR DANCE EDUCATION
For information about Connecticut Ballet's statewide educational programs, read below.
One of Connecticut Ballet's principal missions is the education of young people in the many aspects of dance, exposing students and teachers to the entire gamut of traditional and contemporary dance forms. Narrated by Artistic Director Brett Raphael, the programs have been enthusiastically received by 250,000 youngsters and adults throughout Connecticut and Westchester County, New York since 1981.
John Eirich performing in 'Let's Get Fit!,' February 2006 Olivier Tarpaga, Dundee International School residency, February 2008
Connecticut Ballet entertained seniors at Jewish Home for the Elderly, Fairfield, April 2008.
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Now booking for 2008-2009 school year! Contact us: ctballet@ix.netcom.com
The following is a description of Connecticut Ballet's educational programs:
In-School Assembly Programs
Under the aegis of individual school districts or PTO Councils, Connecticut Ballet performs a variety of 50-minute lecture/demonstrations for grade K-12 students. Artistic Director Brett Raphael is joined by the company ballet mistress and six professional dancers to give a close-up look at ballet, modern, jazz or ethnic repertoire.
Lisa Fitzgerald and Don Friedewald in 'Paganini Pas de Trois,' February 2007, Danbury, CT.
Since 1990, the company has performed at more than 550 public, private and parochial schools with programs ranging from "Backstage at the Ballet" to "The World of Dance" to "Let's Get Fit!"
Click here to view 2008-2009 Assembly Programs flyer.
In-School Residencies
Connecticut Ballet teaching artists are available to conduct ongoing instructional residencies in one or more schools. Often planned in conjunction with educators and staff, the residencies can take place during or after-school, may begin with an all-school company assembly or culminate in a performance opportunity for students. Residencies may be centered around curricular threads or specific achievement objectives within a grade level.
Click here to view the 2008-2009 Residencies flyer.
Assembly programs range in cost from $1000 for a single performance and a workshop to $1250 for two performances in a single day at one or more schools in a geographic area.
As a member of CONNTOURS roster, Connecticut school presenters are eligible for partial fee support. For application information, call Susan Docker, Program Manager, at the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, 860-256-2800.
PTO REPS: See below for upcoming assembly programs and to access our sample Curricular Guides.
Mr. Raphael presenting a copy of 'The Busy Body Book' to students at Davenport
Ridge Elementary School, Stamford, as part of the 'Let's Get Fit!' assembly
program, March 2006
For further information on bringing Connecticut Ballet's programs to your school, please contact Dana Rodriguez, Director of Education, at 203-964-1211 or email to: ctballet@ix.netcom.com.
2007-2008 School Assembly Programs
Click here to view current assembly programs promotional flyer.
Please contact Dana Rodriguez, Director of Education, for availability, fees, and residency information or to arrange to preview one of our programs: 203-964-1211.
'Backstage at the Ballet' -
October 23 - The Country School, Madison, CT
October 25 - Laurel Ledge Elementary School, Beacon Falls, CT
January 29 - North Windham School, North Windham, CT
March 31 - Central Elementary School, Larchmont, NY
'The World of Dance' -
October 9 & 10 - Granby Public Schools (Month-long 'World of Dance' residency)
October 24 - Greenwich Catholic School, Greenwich, CT
Parkway School, Greenwich, CT
November 9 - Hall Neighborhood House, Bridgeport, CT
Community-wide performance, Granby, CT
December 6 - Darcey School, Cheshire, CT
January 10 - John Pettibone School, New Milford, CT
May 9 - Brunswick School, Greenwich, CT
May 15 - Griswold Elementary, Griswold, CT
June 5, 2008 - Ponterio-Ridge Elementary School, Rye Brook, NY
June 16, 2008 - Memorial Elementary School, East Hampton, CT
'Tribute to Broadway' -
January 11 - Northeast School, Stamford
January 14-25 -Danbury Public Schools, Danbury, CT (3rd annual Danbury Dance Initiative tour to all elementary schools)
March 10-14 - New London Public Schools, New London, CT (3rd annual New London tour to all elementary schools)
'From the Jete to Djembe,' Ridgefield Playhouse, 2007 'World of Dance' participants representing Peru, Haiti, Ireland, West Africa,
Photo: Ben Gancsos (c) and India, at a recent performance in Old Saybrook, CT.
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Click here for a 'World of Dance Curricular Guide'
Click here for a 'Backstage at the Ballet Curricular Guide'
Click here for the 'Let's Get Fit! Curricular Guide for Teachers'
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