The CCBallet Experience
The CCBallet Experience
California Contemporary Ballet, established by Erin Holt, the company’s visionary choreographer and Artistic Director, continues to establish itself as one of Southern California’s burgeoning dance companies. Featuring a unique brand of classical and contemporary dance works, CCBallet is a non-profit company that provides its members the opportunity to perform an exciting repertory of innovative and original dance projects performed in concerts, theatre and festivals throughout Southern California. Most recently the company traveled to perform at the Janacek Conservatory in Ostrava, Czech Republic where they were honored to receive an invitation to perform “Blind Journey”, an original ballet by Ms. Holt, under the auspices of the Prague International Ballet.
In an effort to encourage young dancers in their pursuits toward a career in dance, California Contemporary Ballet (CCBallet) continues to provide a youth division within its organization called California Contemporary Youth Ballet (CCYBallet). The young dancers of CCYBallet attend an intensive daily training regiment designed to fulfill the artistic needs of serious dancers who seek opportunities at the highest caliber.
CCBallet is resident of the California DanceArts Academy located in the foothills of Los Angeles. The school and company share one goal, "to nurture and encourage students professionally and to develop artists and audiences in the creativity, imagination and joy of dance." With the establishment of CCBallet and as a testoment to the innovation that the company provides, dancers from the Academy and the community have found a home for their artistic expression and careers.
As with any other property company, CCBallet members are selected through an audition process or handpicked by the Artistic Director per project. CCB performances feature career dancers, innovative choreography and music, embellished by beautiful costumes, sets and lighting design. The company often features renowned guest choreographers and distinguished visiting artists. Whether performing on a grand stage or in their own intimate studio theatre, the entire company delivers a passionate, moving experience to their audiences.
The company’s annual signature ballet titled, “The Snow Queen-ballet redefined”, is a delightful winter production starring the career members of California Contemporary Ballet (CCBallet), accompanied by the California Contemporary Youth Ballet (CCYBallet) and select dancers from the community, resulting in a cast of 60-70 dancers. Adapted for ballet from the classic children’s story written by Hans Christian Andersen, featuring the dramatic choreography of Erin Holt and performed to the beautiful original musical score composed by Randall Michael Tobin. “The Snow Queen” is a beautiful story demonstrating that friendship, hope, integrity, persistence toward one’s goals and determination can enable anyone to overcome life’s obstacles.
The company has been fortunate to establish Glendale Community college as its current home for the ballet which celebrated its 10th season in 2007. “The Snow Queen” has become a community favorite for the holidays by offering the public a pleasant alternative to the numerous Nutcracker productions at reasonable ticket rates.
CCB also offers a self produced spring concert featuring original works by Ms. Holt, guest choreographers, distiquished visting artists, and original music by local composers. The spring production is a vehicle to present new works of classical and contemporay dance theatre to the community. Several such original works have included a rock and roll ballet of "Romeo and Juliet", "Lifetimes" -which explored the concept of experincing life beyond death, "Blind Journey"- about a young girl trapped between reality and the spiritual world, "Angelitos"- a ballet adapted from the famous Puerto Rican story of "Angelitos Negros", (See Photo- Dancer, Rachel Bowman in "Angelitos").
Additionally, CCBallet has been invited to perform by a number of Southern California organizations including Los Angeles Council District 14 for the 1998 Fourth of July Celebration and Festival, the Woman’s Auxiliary of Southern California, the Long Beach Day Nursery, the premiere of Katie Cassidy’s first record single in Studio City, the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica, All Nations Church in Lakeview Terrace, the Celebrity Center International, El Portal Theater in North Hollywood, the Glendale Center Theater and the Harvest Festival at Descanso Gardens.
CCBallet has recently been selected to participate in the Celebrate Dance Festival
during the 2009 season at the Alex Theater in Glendale, as part of a special dance series produced by Los Angeles presenter and choreographer Jamie Nichols. The festival will premiere a recent choreography by Ms. Holt entitled, “Quintessence”.
Additionally, Ms. Holt plans to reveal a new contemporary work during the Spring season 2009, titled “The Dress Maker”.
CCBallet operates entirely upon the generous funding from community business, private patrons and ticket sales. By infusing our community with high quality performances, CCBallet artists are doing their part to inspire and enhance our community with the joy of dance. However, it literally takes hundreds of creative hours to invent new choreographic works or to keep our current repertory well rehearsed. Our artists require monetary remuneration to maintain the quality of our offerings. Please consider encouraging and supporting the accomplished artists of California Contemporary Ballet today by becoming a sponsor.
