Dancers shine at Vail Youth Ballet Company’s annual Spring Showcase with original choreographed works
Vail Youth Ballet Company performs two shows this weekend
Vail Youth Ballet Company/Courtesy photo
Elite dancers from the Vail Youth Ballet Company will dazzle audiences with energetic and innovative performances at the Spring Showcase this weekend. The event marks months of hard work and creativity, culminating in 23 pieces, some including the entire company and some small groups. The Vail Youth Ballet Company features dancers from seventh grade the 12th grade.
The works range from fast-paced hip-hop and jazz to modern dance, contemporary and classical ballet pieces. The choreography comes from a variety of sources, such as Vail Valley Academy of Dance instructors Colleen Teska Schlosser, Julia LeClaire and Vail Valley Academy of Dance artistic director Ashley Calligan. There are also master guest teachers such as Sarah Tallman from Wonderbound, the premier modern dance company in Denver, and Brianna Mesa from Western Arkansas Ballet.
The Spring Showcase is also a time for the dancers to shine and come up with their own choreography. It’s especially poignant for the seniors — many of them won’t continue with dance after high school. This is their last big performance. There are eight seniors: Olivia Arseneau, Avery Begg, Clara Goehring, Kylie Kirkham, Lyndsey Knauf, Scarlett Novak, Tatum Prigge and Gwen Proctor. They will perform their senior class farewell dance, a reflective work set to “Yesterday” by The Beatles. Each senior will be highlighted in a solo piece with music and choreography of their choice, expressing their personal styles.
Ellie Glass, a junior, choreographed a piece for the entire company. The song she chose is “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles. She selected that song because it was her grandpa’s favorite song and he recently passed away. The program is full of bittersweet moments for parents, families and friends as the dancers and those who have supported them wind down their Vail Youth Ballet Company dance careers.
There will be a beverage and bake sale for guests and single roses for $5 to purchase for your favorite dancers. Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea Company will donate coffee for the Saturday morning performance. All proceeds go to Vail Friends of Dance, the nonprofit organization that presents the Spring Showcase each year. The Vail Friends of Dance’s mission is to develop, support and inspire young dancers and teachers from all backgrounds by providing accessible opportunities, equitable resources and an inclusive environment that fosters artistic excellence.
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Come experience this family-friendly spectacular display of the art of dance movement by these talented dancers. Especially if you have young aspiring dancers, this is great motivation for them to keep striving to do their best. There are performances on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Vail Mountain School Theater. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at VFOD.BookTix.com.
