California Dance Arts News for April

Lasting Memories Of Your Favorite Dancer!
Snow Queen Prints Available for Purchase!

Beautiful photos were taken during last year's production of The Snow Queen—performance shots, rehearsals, backstage shots—by Kathy Hanson Photography and are now available for purchase!

Hundreds of photos of the 2011 Snow Queen cast are available. You can order prints in various sizes and formats—small, large, glossy, matte, framed, canvas, etc. You can even get t-shirts, mugs, playing cards, etc with the images of your child or favorite Snow Queen cast members!

View the colorful, professional-quality photos at these links:

http://khanson.smugmug.com/Other/Performance/20893492_SGxNVP
http://khanson.smugmug.com/Other/Dress-Rehearsal-at-GCC/20874238_zCTj2X
http://khanson.smugmug.com/Other/Ballet-Portraits/20908732_kx8h7q
http://khanson.smugmug.com/Other/Dance-Class/20793684_gxjxJF

Add your choices to your cart and choose the format. Prices will vary depending on size, format, etc.

If you have any questions about ordering, contact California DanceArts at info@caldancearts.com or contact Kathy Hanson Photography at kathy@kathyhansonphotography.com

 

Summer Intensive Auditions - April 14, 2012

Auditions will be held again for California DanceArts:
Youth Ballet Intensive
Sat. April 14 at 9:30am
(Level 1 and Level 2 students may audition)

Los Angeles Int'l Ballet Intensive
Sat. April 14 at 12:00pm
(Level 3 and above may audition)

 

Ballet Basics: How To Make A Ballet Bun

It is part of good traditional ballet training to learn to create a proper ballet bun and to learn to do it quickly.

California DanceArts requires all students to have their hair fastened securely out of the face and off of the neck. Young ladies should have nice pretty ballet buns in class just as they must have for performances. It is a matter of creating good habits for performance and giving dancers the opportunity to work without the distraction of hair in the face and eyes. Some movements are thrown off by the weight of the hair when it is loose.

Although not acceptable for performances, occasionally when you are really in a bind-- running late to class or mom is away and dad is left to handle the bun making, for instance--there are handy “Bear Claw” clips that can be purchased at any drug store. By twisting the hair up as described above and securing it with the ‘Bear Claw,’ the bun is made fast and secure without bobby pins.

Here's how to make a good bun:

Brush your hair; make sure that there are no tangles.

Pull back into a ponytail using a comb or brush to remove the bumps. If necessary, spray the hair with a quick-drying hairspray (an inexpensive brand is okay). You have already used a comb or brush to remove the lumps, so now you can use hairspray (optional, depends on the style of your hair) to smooth with your hand all of those wisps up and into the bun.

Put an extra rubber band around your ponytail, just for extra security. It is important to have a strong foundation for your bun so it doesn't fall down.

Separate hair into 2 equal sections.

Take one half and twist the whole strand together, tightly.

Tightly wind the strand of hair around the ponytail holder, as if curling around it, not over it. You should probably use heavy-duty hairpins such as Scunci Bobby Pins to hold up your hair. They are about $2.00 for 18. Most people find that an actual hair pin versus a bobby pin can hold their hair better. You will want to get the thicker kind, especially if you have thick or curly hair, because the thin ones are easily bent out of shape.

Securely fasten the hair. You can do this by putting a bobby pin in like your bun like it was a clock. 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, and 9 o'clock. If the first half of your bun feels a little shaky, put more bobby pins in where desired.

Repeat these same steps for the second half of your ponytail.

For extra security, cover your bun with a hair net that matches your hair color. (Hint: If you have blonde hair, don't use the gray hair net because then your bun looks purple. If you're a brunette, don't use the blonde hair net because then you have a lighter bun than the rest of your hair and that gives you the air of being unprofessional and/or colorblind.)

If there are any wispies, or frizzies, lightly spray with hairspray, all over.

There are a lot of videos on the internet that show this process and additional tricks to help you. Just do an internet search for “Ballet Bun”.

Posted via email from California DanceArts's Posterous Blog

International Ballet Intensive Hosted Again By California DanceArts

Los Angeles Dance School To Host Intensives For Experienced And Youth Dancers

LOS ANGELES, CA: California DanceArts, (http://www.caldancearts.com) will be holding auditions for its Los Angeles International Ballet Intensive and its Youth Ballet Intensive on April 14th for the 2012 Intensives. Auditions will be held at the main studio in La Canada, located in the midst of Los Angeles. The intensive will take place in July, running from the 9th to the 28th, and attending students will get the chance to literally go global, by taking advantage of opportunities to attend foreign dance programs through the Global Ballet Workshops. Limited attendance only.

The advanced curriculum of the Los Angeles International Ballet Intensive has brought it much acclaim, including from such organizations as the Ostrava Ballet in Prague. It has also garnered an international teaching faculty with instructors hailing from such companies as the Laine Theatre Arts in England, the New York City Ballet, the San Francisco Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet. The curriculum will include classical ballet, contemporary, pointe, special conditioning and placement classes and even aerial ballet, culminating in a performance by the students. In addition to the above international faculty, dancers will, of course, receive instruction from California DanceArts founder and artistic director, Ms. Erin Holt.

A Youth Ballet Intensive will be hosted as well in the Los Angeles studio of California DanceArts. Students at an intermediate level (the approximate age group is 9-12) will be able to hone their skills in such traditional fields as classical ballet, pointe preparation, and conditioning, but also in more varied themes such as modern, jazz, improve, and aerial. Unique in the program is a Choreography Workshop where young dancers can begin to learn to not follow choreography but create it themselves.

Ms. Holt stated: “As we draw closer to the beginning of our Intensives, we are very much looking forward to the opportunity to present dance in its most aesthetic form this summer. We believe that dancers need to stay in top condition the year round and nowhere is that more important than when young dancers are nearing a professional state. We hope to provide diverse new experiences to these dancers while bringing their skills in dance to entirely new levels.”

Since 1987, California DanceArts has been dedicated to the purpose of grooming and nurturing the talents of beginning to serious career dance students. Its current location in beautiful La Canada is among several schools and recreational facilities. More information on California DanceArts 2010 summer dance workshops can be seen at http://www.danceallsummerworkshops.com. The school’s blog can be seen at http://caldancearts.typepad.com. For more information about California DanceArts and the programs offered by the school, call 818-790-7924, or visit the school online at http://www.caldancearts.com.

Posted via email from California DanceArts's Posterous Blog

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING!

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING!

A heavy snow storm is expected to hit Glendale, California THIS WEEKEND. The wrath of the Snow Queen (Alyssa Thompson) is great and mighty, and the weather center announced today that we may be in for one of the longest-running storms in history, lasting many years!

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the Snow Queen is under the alluring spell of a mystical and magical mirror that was created by an Evil Sorceress (Kayla Stepanian). The storm will begin with tiny delicate snowflakes, gathering momentum before the flooding begins to overtake the River (performed by California Contemporary Youth Ballet). We predict that the floods will be very strong and we advise the Enchantress (Amanda Hart) to protect her garden and to take extra care of the delicate Rose (Ellery Bute).

Flights are restricted to the north and any aircraft and particularly birds, such as The Crow (Zsolt Banki) and his Sweetheart (Holly Pace), are advised to remain grounded until show time. To the northeast, below-zero temperatures may cause widespread mischief, and any gypsy man, Gypsy Woman (Kayla Stepanian) or Gypsy Girl (Julia Houser) should take cover. There is also much concern about Forest Nymphs (Monika Beuzet) and forest creatures, particularly the smaller delicate animals. However, many of the ferocious Wolves, Panthers and Bears are well-clothed, and they should prove strong enough to adapt to such conditions.

While travel advisories are in place, animals such as our Reindeer (Zsolt Banki and Holly Pace) certainly will not be affected by the cold and experts agree that such animals provide good protection and ideal companionship if forced to travel during the storm. There is much discussion in the village regarding sightings of two Guardian Angels--the Angel of Guidance (Kate Bonham) and the Angel of Enlightenment (Ellie Peterson). Fearing the storm, many are praying that the Guradian Angels will find a way to protect the entire village and deliver us all from the storm as soon as possible.

While taking steps to secure the castle, the Prince (Nick Zerman) and Princess (Isabella Bunting) are rumored to be optimistic that the storm will avoid the area... since the sun always shines at the castle. The royal couple has already sent invitations to all of their constituents throughout the countryside to take cover at the castle, just in case any townsfolk need a safe haven. Invitations delivered personally by the Coachman (Alex Cordebard) include a celebration, once the storm breaks. 

During the storm, Randy Tobin's newly enhanced musical composition will provide dramatic thunder bolts, while we hope Erin Holt's choreography will deliver enough magic and love between our new sweethearts, Gerda (Kelinda White) and Kai (Rob Westin) , enabling them to brave through and eventually defeat the storm. We all know that the power of love is very strong and can defeat anything.

Don't miss The Snow Queen 2011!

Presented by California Contemporary Ballet

Performed at Glendale Community College
1500 N. Verdugo Rd, Glendale, CA 91208

December 16 at 7:30pm
December 17 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm
December 18 at 2:00pm

Tickets can be purchased at www.snowqueenballet.com. Tickets purchased in advance: $25 for adults, $20 for child; tickets purchase at the door: $30 for adults, $25 for child. Group rates available. For more information, call California DanceArts 818-790-7924 or visit www.calballet.com.

Posted via email from California DanceArts's Posterous Blog

The 14th Seasonal Presentation of California Contemporary Ballet’s The Snow Queen

Once upon a time, there was a wicked magician. He fashioned a mirror with the power to make all that was good and beautiful reflect in the mirror as mean and wicked.

Alas, the unthinkable happened…the mirror was shattered into a million tiny pieces, swept up by the wind, and then spread throughout the land, affecting the unsuspecting townsfolk. The Snow Queen, creator of the winter wind and snow, was also profoundly affected as the tiny slivers of mirror lodged into her very soul. Dark times soon followed….

Welcome to California Contemporary Ballet’s The Snow Queen!

Embark on an incredible journey of two dear friends, Kai and Gerda. Discover fascinating characters as the classic tale is brought to life. Meet the Enchantress, Gypsy Girl, Gypsy Boy, Crows, and enjoy the beautiful dance of the Prince and Princess, performing a grand pas de deux. Follow Gerda as she experiences perilous obstacles, and in the end, rejoice in the celebration of a town freed at last from the mirror’s evil spell. Open yourself to the world of the Snow Queen who reverses the old tragedy and brings tears of joy to an entire village!

Performed with the power and passion of California Contemporary Ballet, it's an extraordinary blend of aerial arts, gymnastics, and a rich variety of classical ballet and contemporary dance that spin the emotional story to its surprising and delightful conclusion.

Brought to life by the creative vision of the company's Artistic Director and choreographer, Erin Holt, The Snow Queen Ballet is presented with an original, moving musical score by Randall Michael Tobin.

Los Angeles Times raves,“California Contemporary Ballet's show stands out… Only, it’s not the “Nutcracker.” It’s “The Snow Queen.” Adios Sugar Plum Fairy. Bienvenidos, er … Queeny.”

Now in its 14th season, The Snow Queen has become the newest ballet tradition. Its seasonal performances already a hit with audiences, California Contemporary Ballet’s version of this Hans Christian Andersen tale of goodness versus evil has become a wintertime classic with which you will surely fall in love.

Performances are Friday, December 16 at 7:30pm; Saturday, December 17 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm; and Sunday, December 18 at 2:00pm at the Glendale Community College Theater (1500 N. Verdugo Rd, Glendale, CA 91208). Tickets can be purchased at www.snowqueenballet.com. Advance tickets: $25 adults/$20 children; At the door: $30 adults/$25 children. Group rates available. For more information, call California DanceArts 818-790-7924.

Posted via email from California DanceArts's Posterous Blog

Winter Is Coming: California Contemporary Ballet Presents The Snow Queen

What people are saying...

Los Angeles Times raves,“California Contemporary Ballet's show stands out…Only, it’s not the “Nutcracker.” It’s “The Snow Queen.” “Adios Sugar Plum Fairy. Bienvenidos, er … Queeny.”

The Snow Queen was enthralling! It was delicious, technically spellbinding, a holiday miracle of beauty for the senses and the soul! I've attended each and every year's ballet, but this year topped them all! What was already perfect was retained but the improvements were truly icing on the cake. The music is gorgeous, the dancing took my breath away. Christmas doesn't start until we see The Snow Queen! --C.W.

I can't tell you enough how much I enjoyed the show. The professionalism of the company is awesome. No one holds back, from the tiniest Snowflake to the most mature Snow Queen. I loved the character Gerda's performance. She was totally alive, like a light throughout...not one dull spot, always creating the essence of the character, always glowing. The Prince and Princess set a standard of excellence in classical technique that rivals the best of companies in the world. --A.P.

Experience the magic of the Snow Queen, the creator of winter wind and snow. Based on the original story by Hans Christian Andersen, this wintertime tale can’t be missed!

Bring the entire family to experience the adventures of young Gerda as she persists to save her best friend Kai. Meet the Enchantress, Gypsy Girl, Gypsy Boy, Crows and enjoy the Prince and Princess as they perform a grand pas de deux. Open yourself to the world of the Snow Queen as she reverses an old tragedy and brings tears of joy to an entire village.

With an extraordinary blend of Aerial arts, gymnastics and a rich variety of classical ballet and contemporary dance that spin the emotional story to its surprising and delightful conclusion--from the most distinguished Princess to the tiniest Snowflake, the 2011 cast performs with power and passion.

The Snow Queen, now in its 14th season, has become the newest ballet tradition. Allow California Contemporary Ballet to give you a memorable and moving experience as they take you on a journey and transform you to the inner realm of The Snow Queen.

California Contemporary Ballet Presents “The Snow Queen” Ballet’s 14th Season

Isabella Bunting of Glendale, CA Performs Lead Role Of Princess; Guest Performer from Hungary Added To Cast

La Cañada, CA (November 25, 2011) The series of rehearsals for California Contemporary Ballet’s “The Snow Queen” Ballet (www.snowqueenballet.com) have been underway for over five hours, and for Isabella Bunting of Glendale, her most challenging rehearsal of the day lays ahead of her. When director Erin Holt enters the rehearsal studio, Bunting dutifully ties her Pointe shoe ribbons and tests her weight while balancing on her toes. With flaming red hair and a presence that suggests a level of maturity well beyond her thirteen years, Bunting is about to perform one of the most challenging roles in the ballet, a delightful holiday favorite performed to sold-out audiences in Glendale for the past thirteen years. This year’s Snow Queen performances will be on December 16, 17, and 18 at the Glendale Community College Theater.

The role of Princess is normally performed by one of the professional ballerinas employed by the Company each year. In fact, many advanced and professional-level dancers auditioned for the coveted role this year. However, Holt explains, “Since this is an original ballet with new choreography, we usually teach the role to a professional just as we would to a student. Isabella is working hard and proving that she can handle the challenging role. She is light and she works extremely well with her partner Nick."

Reprising the role of Prince for a second year to Isabella’s Princess is Nicholas Zerman of Altadena. He effortlessly lifts Bunting high above his head in a spin and then gently places her back onto her toes. “It’s a difficult lift, but we’ll get it”, he says with a wide grin.

As the production’s choreographer and Artistic Director, Holt has faced many challenges during the 14-year run of the ballet at Glendale Community College. Many professional dancers seek out opportunities to perform in the myriad of Nutcracker productions, rather than face the challenges of learning new choreography required for an original ballet. After all, most Nutcracker variations are an integral part of the training curriculum offered in ballet schools around the nation, so good ballet dancers are already familiar with many sections of the Nutcracker before ever stepping into rehearsal. This certainly makes rehearsals faster for the dancer and easier for a director to produce.

However, this previous familiarity is clearly not the case for any dancer who chooses to audition for “The Snow Queen,” where all of the choreography is new and the roles are unknown. Holt states “Some dancers are intimidated by the vast amount of new material they have to learn and some dancers just don’t feel they have the time to dedicate to the learning process”. Still, Holt boasts that the Company gets plenty of interest from professional talent looking for new opportunities. “We offer dancers the rare opportunity to be involved with something new.”

This year joining the cast is professional dancer, Zsolt Banki recently arrived in California from Hungary, where he was a graduate of the Hungarian Dance Academy and was voted Best Hungarian Dancer in 2007. He was the lead choreographer for the popular show “So You Think You Can Dance”, which actually originated in Hungary. This season, he joins “The Snow Queen” performing the principal roles of Reindeer and the Crow. He will also be seen as a gypsy. States Mr. Banki “I enjoy living in Los Angeles very much and am learning a great deal about American culture. I particularly like the California Contemporary Ballet’s version of “The Snow Queen”, as it is a very popular story in Hungary.” Mr. Banki will appear in all four performances.

Since its inception, California Contemporary Ballet has attempted to plant the seeds of a new tradition by integrating a cast of professional career talent with well trained, pre-professional dancers from the Company’s youth division.

With a beautiful original musical score composed by Randall Michael Tobin and set against a beloved Hans Christian Andersen story, audiences have the chance to meet a young girl and boy with lessons to learn, exotic creatures performing aerial ballet, gymnastic gypsies, forest animals such as reindeer and crows, and magical characters such as an enchantress and guardian angel. With a supporting chorus that includes an array of characters, from snowflakes and rivers, to flowers and trees, the cast numbers a total of 60 performers.

Bunting admits that she was initially apprehensive about her new role. However, once she dedicated herself to the challenge, she became determined. While watching the couple rehearse, Holt observed, “It was important to them that they be cast together. They wanted to impress and make it happen. They earned their roles”.

Recognizing that the roles of Prince and Princess are so demanding, Bunting and Zerman have committed to daily rehearsals until the opening of the show in mid-December. Holt decided to follow a precedent established by a well-known choreographer. George Balanchine was famous for challenging his young, talented dancers, as evidenced in his famous “Baby Ballerinas”, when he thrust young teenagers into the performing spotlight. This has only added fuel to Holt’s enthusiasm. “There is something truly impressive about a thirteen year old who can handle such difficult professional level choreography.”

“The Snow Queen” by California Contemporary Ballet will be performed at Glendale Community College on Friday, December 16 at 7:30pm; Saturday, December 17 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm; and Sunday, December 18 at 2:00pm. Tickets can be purchased at www.snowqueenballet.com. Tickets purchased in advance: $25 for adults, $20 for child; tickets purchase at the door: $30 for adults, $25 for child. Group rates available. Call Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006. For more information, call California DanceArts 818-790-7924.

California Contemporary Ballet, (http://www.calballet.com) established by Erin Holt, the company’s visionary Choreographer and Artistic Director, is one of Southern California’s burgeoning dance companies. The company is established as a professional company featuring the talent of 5-7 career dancers performing a unique brand of classical and contemporary dance works. They are a non-profit company, providing its members with the opportunity to perform an exciting repertory of innovative and original dance projects performed in concerts, theatre and festivals throughout Southern California. California Contemporary Ballet is the resident troupe of the California DanceArts Academy (http://www.caldancearts.com) located in the foothills of Los Angeles. The school and company share one goal, "to nurture and encourage students professionally and to develop artists performing for audiences with the creativity, imagination and joy of dance." The company’s annual signature ballet titled, “The Snow Queen”, (http://www.snowqueenballet.com) is a delightful winter production each December starring the career members of California Contemporary Ballet, accompanied by the California Contemporary Youth Ballet, and select dancers from the community, resulting in a cast of 60-70 dancers.

Posted via email from California DanceArts's Posterous Blog

California DanceArts Holds Annual Spring Open House In La Canada

Special Open House Weekend Events Included Spring Demonstration Concert

La Canada, CA: California DanceArts (http://www.caldancearts.com) began its summer with a special presentation this last weekend to the La Canada and Los Angeles communities of its annual Spring Demonstration & Concert. Students from a variety of classes at the dance school participated, demonstrating their progression during the past year. The demonstrations took place on the 17th and 18th of June at the main California DanceArts dancing studio in La Canada, CA.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for young dancers to perform and for the parents to see how much fun the students have,” says Laura Eberhard of Sylmar, whose 12 and 7 year old daughters, Tessa and Heather, performed in the presentation and who attend the school's dance classes for kids. “The presentation makes all us adults want to get out and start dancing too, but we just aren’t as good as the kids!”

Also at the event, California Theatrical Youth Ballet performed an excerpt from their recent concert of dances from “Paquita”, choreographed by Ms. Lynn Bryson Pittenger, formerly Principal Dancer of the New York City Ballet.

The Open House concluded with the beginning of public registration for the school’s fall season of classes, for ballet lessons and other dance programs. Registration for the fall season will continue through to the start of the school year in September.

Erin Holt, Artistic Director of California DanceArts, stated: “Each year it’s incredible to see how much these young dancers have grown. The development can be seen in their better grasp and performance of the techniques of Ballet, but more so it is clearly evident in their own artistic expression. It’s a joy to provide the guidance for them to reach it. We look forward to seeing the dancers who will be joining us in our summer programs, and we’ll of course be welcoming everyone back this Fall.”

Since 1987, California DanceArts has been dedicated to the purpose of grooming and nurturing the talents of beginning to serious career dance students. Its current location in beautiful La Canada is among several schools and recreational facilities. More information on California DanceArts 2011 summer dance workshops can be seen at www.danceallsummerworkshops.com. The school’s blog can be seen at http://caldancearts.typepad.com. For more information about California DanceArts and the programs offered by the school, call 818-790-7924, or visit the school online at www.caldancearts.com.