Colburn School to Host Summer Workshops

This summer, the Colburn School will host two, two-week, five-day summer workshops, June 19-30 and July 31-August 11, 2017, in preparation for The Music Center's holiday production of the all new George Balanchine's The Nutcracker® by Miami City Ballet.

Led by Colburn Dance Academy Director Jenifer Ringer and Associate Director James Fayette, both former principal dancers of the New York City Ballet, these workshops invite dancers ages 7-12 to audition for the opportunity to join students from both the Colburn School and The Gabriella Foundation's everybody dance! program to train for the rigor and artistic demands of professional performance. All participating students will prepare for the chance to be chosen and cast by The George Balanchine Trust in this new production of The Nutcracker ballet.

"It is an honor to partner with the prestigious Miami City Ballet and The Music Center on this holiday tradition, and we are pleased that we can help fulfill the dreams of the many young Colburn School and The Gabriella Foundation students who will dance in this very special production of The Nutcracker," said Sel Kardan, president and CEO of Colburn School. "The Colburn School experience is about discovering excellence at any age; being part of this magical production will surely inspire our youngest dancers as they embark upon their artistic journey."

The workshops are open to all Colburn Community School Dance ballet students. Auditions to participate in the workshops will be held for all other Colburn School students and dance students from programs throughout Los Angeles on Sunday, April 2, 2017 from 3-4:30 pm, for students aged 7-9, and 4:30-6 pm for students ages 10-12, at the Colburn School, 200 S. Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Registration opens for Colburn Community School ballet students only on Tuesday, March 28, 2017. Registration opens for non-Colburn dance students, and dance students from throughout Los Angeles, on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. For more information, please visit colburnschool.edu/dancecamps, contact Colburn at dance@colburnschool.edu, (213) 621-1085, or visit the Colburn School registration office at 200 S. Grand Ave, Los Angeles CA 90012.

The workshops will be led by Colburn Dance Academy Director Jenifer Ringer and James Fayette with Colburn Community School Dance faculty Kelly Ann Sloan, Carrie Lee Riggins, Astrid Lew and Katharine Cowgill. The workshops will not only train students in elements such as choreography and long sequences, but will also educate students on the history and joy of The Nutcracker. Additionally, Colburn School faculty will lead a workshop with students from The Gabriella Foundation's everybody dance! program.

The cost of each summer workshop is $400.00. Students must participate in both weeks. Parents will be able to attend the last day of each workshop on June 30 and August 11.

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker® is a major part of every dancer's life at the New York City Ballet, where Directors Jenifer Ringer and James Fayette performed collectively for almost 40 years, and danced a vast majority of the professional roles in this seasonal masterpiece. Additionally, faculty member Carrie Lee Riggins, who danced both professionally and as a student with the New York City Ballet, brings her experience of having performed all of the children roles as a young dancer and is looking forward to bringing her knowledge and experiences to the students in the workshops.

The Music Center, L.A,'s performing arts destination, has co-commissioned this all-new production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker® by Miami City Ballet. The production, with new sets and costumes by Cuban-American artist-designer power couple Isabel and Ruben Toledo, will have its world premiere at The Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion from December 7-10, 2017 as part of the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center 2017-2018 season. After a five-year absence, the story ballet returns to The Music Center this holiday season and will include, for the first time, student dancers from two L.A.-based arts academies, Colburn School and The Gabriella Foundation's everybody dance! program. The production will feature Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky's timeless score played by a live orchestra, along with live vocal music from the Los Angeles Children's Chorus.

Tickets for George Balanchine's The Nutcracker® performances at The Music Center will be available starting April 25, 2017 as part of season subscriptions for Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center. Single tickets will be available for purchase in the summer of 2017. For more information, visit musiccenter.org.

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