The Connecticut Classic Ballet Scholarship Competition Expands to Virginia in 2018

The Connecticut Classic, New England's ballet competition committed to education, artistry, and mentorship, announces their eighth annual season, now in two cities. In addition to their March 10-11 weekend at the Warner Theatre in Torrington, Connecticut, The Connecticut Classic is seeking young dancers to participate in their first Southern destination, The Hylton Performing Arts Center, February 3-4, in Manassas, Virginia. In offering master class opportunities by esteemed guest faculty and participation in adjudication across four divisions, The Connecticut Classic has welcomed hundreds of dancers from across the North East since it's inception.

Directed by Justin Sherwood and Randyl Errica, The Connecticut Classic has awarded over $200,000 in scholarship funds to coveted summer programs including Bolshoi Summer Intensive, American Reparatory Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School and Atlanta Ballet.

Contestants are divided by age; the youngest, participating in the Youth Division (ages 9-11), followed by the Junior Division (ages 12-24), Senior Division (15-19 for females, 15-20 for males), and Pas de Deux Division, 15-19 for females and 15-25 for males).

With feedback from faculty and judges hailing from the industry's most respected companies, among them American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and Paris Opera, the weekend serves as a professional and educational stepping stone towards national and international competitions.

"The Connecticut Classic was created to provide aspiring dancers an environment where each student, whether an award winner or not, can leave with a real sense of personal accomplishment and a new understanding of the artistic and technical requirements for a ballet dancer," explains co-founder Justin Sherwood. "It is also an important celebration of the classical works that still largely exist in the repertoires of major companies, and to begin to build both a personal skillset but also a network that can mentor them through the subsequent steps of their ballet education and career."

The repertoire list includes variations, pas de deux's and codas from Coppelia, Diana and Acteon, Don Quixote, Flower Festival at Genzano, Giselle, Grand Pas Classique, La Bayadere, La Esmeralda, La Fille Mal Gardee, Le Corsaire, Paquita, Raymonda, Satanella, Swan Lake, Flames of Paris, Sleeping Beauty, The Talisman, Harlequinade and The Fairy Doll. The purpose of this competition is to acknowledge and reward students for their hard work and years of dedication to the art of ballet, provide supportive performance opportunities, and promote healthy sportsmanship in an educational forum.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

The Official Connecticut Classic must receive participants' on-line registration and music no later than February 5, 2018, 30 days prior to the date of the competition. Prospective competitors can register at http://theconnecticutclassic.com.

COMPETITION AND VENUE INFORMATION

Manassas, Virginia, February 3-4, 2018: Hylton Performing Arts Center.

The Hylton Performing Arts Center is located at George Mason University's Science and Technology Campus, off the 234 bypass in Manassas. The address of the campus is 10900 University Blvd., Manassas, VA 20110. There is ample campus parking.

Torrington, Connecticut, March 10-11, 2018: Warner Theatre

The Warner Theatre is located at 68 Main Street, Torrington, CT. There are several municipal lots as well as on-street parking near the theatre.

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