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About center for dance education
Spring 2010
I am pleased to introduce myself as Connecticut Ballet’s Director of Education & Outreach. Now entering its 28th year, the Center for Dance Education remains committed to bringing dance and music to children and communities across the state. In addition to our school assembly programs, we now offer in-school dance residencies, special task force initiatives in Danbury and New London, and a statewide Juvenile Justice Outreach & Mentoring Program.
As a former elementary school teacher in Connecticut, I am particularly excited to work with educators to enrich your students’ learning through dance. As a dancer, I look forward to exploring the creative potential of dance with you.
As you explore the various pages in this section of our website, you will find the information necessary to bring Connecticut Ballet to your community. We look forward to working with you to introduce the world of performing arts to Connecticut’s youth.
Sincerely,
Michelle
K. Bauman
Director of Education & Outreach
Mission and Background
To expose both mainstream and underserved youth to excellence in professional dance performance and instruction and to provide those youth with opportunities to develop talent through accelerated training. In fulfilling this mission, the Center for Dance Education seeks to instill discipline, build confidence, and inspire a positive world view.
The mission of Connecticut Ballet is the presentation of professional dance throughout Connecticut, the training of professional dancers, and the provision of arts-in-education opportunities to today’s youth - particularly those at-risk. Our educational programs operate under the title, Center For Dance Education, and were established in response to a perceived need for access to dance performance instructional opportunities in the target districts of Stamford, Norwalk, and Bridgeport. Since 1991, the geographic range of our programs has developed to include districts and institutions throughout the state of Connecticut. Toward that end, we have developed a strong network of community-based social service partners with whom we work to deliver year-round educational and dance exposure services throughout Connecticut.
Center for Dance Education is an umbrella of educational programs. The programs include:
All of the above services are provided as contracted services or tuition-free with the help of contributed corporate, foundation, or individual philanthropic dollars.
The following are outcomes we seek in the youth served:
Danbury Dance Initiative
Participants in the Danbury Dance Initiative include leading educators,
social service agencies, funders, and dance professionals. The program
receives support from the Fairfield County Community Foundation, Savings
Bank of Danbury, Union Savings Bank, and the Danbury Cultural Commission. Connecticut Ballet
made its first self-presented appearance at Danbury High School on Oct. 26,
2007, featuring the full-length Sleeping Beauty.
On Sunday, March 28, 2010, Connecticut Ballet held its 3rd
annual Danbury Dance Initiative Benefit Performance at Broadview
Middle School. Schools and companies from around the region
contributed their time and talent to raise over $1500 toward accelerated
training scholarships. The 2010 Khalda Logan Dance Scholarship award
winners (pictured below) are Steffany Gomes, Ryan Bulson, Navadi Men,
Kelly Gleason, Danilsa Vargas, James Nguyen and Doma Wiley.
Congratulations to all seven and thanks to all participating dancers,
choreographers, and school directors including Ridgefield
Conservatory of Dance, Vitti
Dance Studio, A Common Ground, FineLine Theatre Arts, WCSU Dance Team,
Just Dance, and New England Dance Theater. All performers donated
their time to raise money for this cause.
NEW LONDON DANCE INITIATIVE
The 6th annual tour by Connecticut Ballet to the elementary and middle schools was very well received and plans are for a return visit in 2010-2011. A task force of local dance and arts leaders has convened at Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut and further meetings are planned in the future.
Begun in the Spring of 2010, the focus has been on expanding available dance resources and performance opportunities for New London youth and the general public while increasing communication amongst the area's many wonderful dance and arts organizations, colleges, New London Public Schools and cultural centers. A major mission is to provide quality classes and workshops to the under-served youth in the community.
