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About center for dance education
Fall 2011
I am pleased
to introduce myself as Connecticut Ballet’s
Director of Education
& Outreach. Now entering its 30th 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 trained dance educator, I am particularly excited to work with educators to enrich your students’ learning through dance. As a dance instructor with a passion for bringing dance to all children and adults, 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,
Samantha
Parsons
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.
To view our new CDE brochure, click here.
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 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.f
In 2009, the company initiated an annual scholarship named in memory of
original task force member and local dancer, choreographer, and WCSU
faculty member Khalda Logan.
This year's
DANBURY
DANCE INITIATIVE BENEFIT PERFORMANCE
took place on Sunday, March 27th at Rogers Park
Middle School. We were pleased to welcome participation by a dozen local schools and companies. Last year's scholarship
winners performed and this year's winners were announced. All proceeds go
to support the Danbury Dance Initiative Khalda Logan Dance Scholarships. Participants included WCSU Dance Team,
Monroe Dance Academy, Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, Fineline Theatre Arts,
Connecticut Ballet and last year's scholarship winners
(pictured below).
The 2011 Khalda Logan Dance Scholarship award
winners are Steffany Gomes, Ryan Bulson, Kelly Gleason, Danilsa Vargas and Dona Wiley.
A special award was made to 2009 winner Mariel Vicente, who is entering
her first year as a BFA dance major at Marymount Manhattan College in
NYC. Congratulations to all five and thanks to all participating dancers,
choreographers, and school directors who donated
their time to raise money for this cause.
NOTE: Connecticut Ballet will perform a free
performance on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 7:30pm at Ives Concert Park in
Danbury.
Visit 'Performances' page for details!
NEW LONDON DANCE INITIATIVE
The 7th annual tour by Connecticut Ballet to the elementary and middle schools was very well received and plans are for a return visit in 2011-2012. This year's performance was 'The Science of Dance.' A task force of educators, social service agencies, 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. Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut recently
awarded Connecticut Ballet a grant to facilitate after school dance
classes at five city schools as part of the broader Initiative.
The
New London Dance Initiative's 1st annual
benefit performance, entitled NEW LONDON
DANCE LIVE!
took place on Friday, April 1st at New London High School. A dozen
local dance schools and companies performed on behalf of
scholarships monies to be awarded to talented local middle and high
school youth. Auditions for the scholarships will take place in mid-April
and will be announced in early May. Participants included Kiks Dance
Center, Adams Company Dance, The Dance Extension, Williams School Dance
Ensemble, Connecticut Ballet, and
soloists from New London High School Dance Team.
Three 2011 winners of the New London Dance Initiative scholarships have
been announced: Queenie Maria Diaz,
Maylis Yepez, and Aziah Schroth, all of whom attend Bennie Dover Jackson Middle
School (pictured below with former CB Director of Education Michelle Bauman).
bridgeport arts in education INITIATIVE
Connecticut Ballet has joined with the Bridgeport Public Schools Performing and Visual Arts Departments and numerous other local arts organizations and agencies to jump start this new initiative for youth in Bridgeport. The intent of the effort is to provide increased opportunities for talented students of music, theater, dance, or visual arts in Bridgeport. Other groups supporting the effort include Backcountry Jazz, New England Ballet, ABCD, Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County, Regional Center for the Arts, Greater Bridgeport Symphony, and RYASAP.
The
Bridgeport Arts-in-Education Initiative's 1st annual
benefit performance, entitled BRIDGEPORT
ARTS LIVE!
took place on Saturday, April 2nd at Central High School, Bridgeport. Over a dozen local dance
schools, arts organizations, and guests performed to raise
scholarship monies to be awarded to talented local middle school youth.
Participants include Greater Bridgeport Christian Fellowship, New England
Ballet, Neighborhood Studios Jazz & Dance Ensembles, Monroe Dance
Workshop, Darien Dance Center, Original Works, and Connecticut Ballet. Auditions for the scholarships
took place in April/May and the first scholarship winners were announced
at an all-district event on May 26, 2011 (pictured below).
Five 2011 winners of the Bridgeport Arts in Education Initiative dance scholarships have
been announced: Malaysia Johnson, Megan Lawrence,
Jailene Acevedo, Christine Echegaray and
Margaret Meghie (pictured above with former Director of Education
Michelle Bauman and Tania Kelley, Director of Performing Arts, Bridgeport
Public Schools).
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Click
here to access
Educators Resource Page, including
Glossary of Ballet Terms and
Useful Dance Bibliography.
