We interviewed two young dancers to find out what the Youth Dance Program means to them.  

"An awesome experience"

Dancer Erik Osterkil, 14, became serious about dance when he saw Hubbard Street 2 perform I Can See Myself in Your Pupil by Andrea Miller in April 2011 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Erik, a founding member of Hubbard Street’s new Youth Dance Ensemble, talks about his experience dancing and taking class with Hubbard Street. 

What’s it like dancing with the Youth Ensemble?
There are so many opportunities I wouldn’t get if I wasn’t dedicated to Hubbard Street and taking classes here. Getting to choreograph my own dances as well as learning what other people have choreographed. And learning the stuff that Hubbard Street performs: That’s incredible. One of my favorite things so far was getting to learn some of One Thousand Pieces.

You choreograph movement yourself, as a member of the Youth Ensemble. Do you enjoy it?
I don’t think of myself as a great choreographer, but when I have some time to spend, to work on a piece, and I can be inspired by things I’ve seen Hubbard Street perform, and put it all together… I like doing that.

Where do you see yourself going in dance?
I definitely would like to have dance be my career, at some point, at a company like Hubbard Street. It would be an awesome experience.

"Dancing is my life."

Eight-year-old Nina Chrusfield took her first Creative Movement classes at Hubbard Street in summer 2012. She’s been attending our Youth Dance Camps and was recommended to progress to the Secondary Program beginning this fall, to continue her studies in ballet, jazz and hip-hop. We interviewed Nina and her mother, Melissa. 

When did you know you wanted to dance, Nina?
When I first started taking Creative Movement, they let me feel the rhythm of the music. I started going on with the music and I just didn’t stop dancing. I started taking other classes. I liked it and I said, in my head, “Dancing is my life.”
Melissa: Can I tell a story about this?

Please do!
When she was about three and a half, I’d take her to the library and let her pick out movies to rent. She started choosing ballets. And she’d watch them back-to-back as many times as we would let her, and be spinning and trying to copy what she saw. That’s when we knew that this was something that came naturally to her, that she loved to do....Creative Movement [at Hubbard Street] was good, and then when she got into Miss Adriana [Durant]’s class… I couldn’t ask for a better teacher. I’m through the roof. Adriana is patient, but she challenges the kids, physically and with words, ideas and concepts. Nina comes home and says to my husband, “Okay: It’s time for ballet class!” And she teaches him steps and talks to him about dynamics.

Nina, have you made friends in the Youth Dance Program?
Uh-huh!
Melissa: She’s made a couple of good friends, which has been nice. She also really enjoyed getting the chance to perform, too. It was great for them to be out there, I think, to have that exp—
Nina: I can’t wait to do it again next year!

What can Hubbard Street’s Youth Dance Program do for your family?
Try classes FREE on September 7 during our Youth Dance Program Open House!

Each program delivers compelling content, crisp design and beautiful images. These booklets become keepsakes for performances that change audience members’ lives. They’ll return to these booklets to relive the experience, they’ll display them on coffee tables and share them with friends. They’ll see your ad over and over again.

» Media kit

To reserve your space or for additional details, contact Sidney Cristol, Advertising Representative 312-850-9744 ext. 164 or scristol@hubbardstreetdance.com.

Dance for Life returns Saturday, August 17

Chicago's dance companies share the stage for one night to benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, the  Dancers' Fund and  Chicago House.

Hubbard Street patrons save 50%

Use code soloist2013 and save 50% when you purchase general admission single tickets at $50 and $75 levels on Dance for Life's website.  

» NEW ON YOUTUBE: Watch excerpts from Mats Ek's Casi-Casa, which Hubbard Street presents live during this uplifting annual event.