SEPTEMBER 2020

• Announcements: Company Update, Updated Staff Availability, Broaden Your Dance Horizons, Dress Code Update, Registration & Uniform Orders Closed, YAGP, How You Can Support Colorado Ballet

• Healthy Dancer: Lightening Safety Tips for Outdoors Sports and Managing Your Child's Medical Illness at School

TICKETS

Photo by Francisco Estevez

Dear Colorado Ballet Academy Families,

 The students have been enthusiastic and working hard in their virtual classes. It is a joy to see their excitement, smiles, energy and focus as we work through class each day. We are so proud of their work ethic and resilience!

As you are aware, like all business and non-profits, Colorado Ballet has been severely affected by the pandemic. With the cancellation of the performing season for 2020 and the anticipated dramatic shortfall of revenue, Colorado Ballet has made the very difficult decision to institute cuts and furloughs across the entire organization that began on Monday, August 31.

Please rest assured that our focus remains on our students and families. Academy classes will continue as scheduled and students will receive the same high caliber instruction as always. Each student’s success and well-being are extremely important to us. The Academy team is working harder than ever to improve our virtual teaching methods and syllabus to ensure that our students grow technically, artistically and continue their love of dance. Please understand that under these new circumstances it may take an extra day or two to receive a response to your emails.

Colorado Ballet Academy is so thankful for your dedication and support during this difficult time. The organization has set up a Relief and Recovery Fund to help offset our lost performance revenue. Visit our website if you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to this fund.

Your continued loyalty to Colorado Ballet Academy will help us succeed as a viable arts organization into 2021 and beyond.

With gratitude,

Erica Fischbach
Academy Director

Updated Staff Availability

We are here for you! Though our Academy team has adjusted hours, please rest assured that we are committed to maintaining efficient communication from CBA to our students and families. As we are still primarily working remotely, email is the preferred method of communication and we will promptly address your questions and concerns. Below you will find our administrative team’s availability.

Ashley Kohl Adler, Academy Administrator
Monday - Thursday, 12:00pm - 6:00pm

Megan Lay, Pre-Professional and Summer Programs Administrator
Tuesday - Friday, 10:00am - 6:00pm

Michael Williams, Business Administrator
Monday, Thursday, Friday - 10:00am - 1:00pm; Tuesday, Wednesday - 8:30am - 1:00pm

Broaden Your Dance Horizons

As our students continue to participate in our Virtual Academy Schedule, we continue to consider ways to help everyone make the most of their fall classes.

When students are unable to physically participate in class due to illness or injury, help them make the most of observing by setting them up with a Ballet Notebook. Additionally, students can utilize a paperback copy of a Ballet Dictionary or online Ballet Dictionary to work on notating classes they observe with correct spelling and terminology.

As we are unable to enjoy seeing our beautiful Colorado Ballet Company perform live at this time, consider exploring different ballets as a family. Grab some popcorn and make a family night of watching ballets like The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle and Coppélia, among others, online. There are various streaming services that offer amazing live ballet productions! Alternately, all Denver residents are able to create an account with their local library branch to access books, ebooks and audio books, as well as VHS and DVD copies of like material, when available, online. Visit Denver Public Library to set up your account and begin the process of creating a wish list of items you can download, or arrange for curbside pickup when they are in stock.

Dress Code Update

Recently, Colorado Ballet Academy has edited their dress code to reflect the encouragement of diversity in the dance world. Students are given the choice to wear tights and shoes to match their skin tone or continue to wear ballet pink tights and shoes.

CBA continues to evaluate actionable ways in which the organization ensures racial equity, diversity and inclusivity while fostering the beautiful art form of ballet for all people. Companies like Capezio and So Dance offer a wide range of shades in tights, soft shoes and pointe shoes.

Please check our website for each division’s new dress code. 

Registration & Uniform Orders Closed

Fall Registration for all classes closed on August 31. Our second uniform order also closed August 31. However, there will be another opportunity to order uniforms in late December/early January.

If you need to exchange an unused uniform for a different size, please send Ashley an email (ashley.adler@coloradoballet.org) detailing the current size, level and the size you need. There are no guarantees we will be able to fulfill all exchanges.

YAGP

Colorado Ballet Academy is honored to have received the prestigious Outstanding School award in the 2019 and 2020 Denver Regional Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Competition. CBA’s YAGP program is unique and well rounded, focusing on excellence in technique, authenticity in artistry and valuable team training.

YAGP provides a special performing opportunity for our students and allows them to receive positive feedback and corrections from esteemed judges. Students receive one-on-one coaching from world class CBA faculty to prepare for the competition.

If you were not able to attend the YAGP audition and are interested in participating in the YAGP 2021 Program, please email ashley.adler@coloradoballet.org.

We are so proud of our students' accomplishments at YAGP and look forward to their success in 2021!

Learn more about CBA's YAGP program on our website today.

Together We Are Strong!

We need your strength. We need our entire community of artists, students, staff members, dance enthusiasts and ballet aficionados to join together in raising funds for the company’s Relief & Recovery Fund to Keep Colorado Ballet 60 Years Strong.

Make a gift, join a fundraising team or create your own fundraising page. Share your story of what Colorado Ballet means to you with your friends and family and implore them to join you in supporting the cause. It is only together that we will emerge from this crisis ready to take the stage and continue the great tradition of ballet.

Children's Hospital Colorado Articles

Lightening Safety Tips for Outdoor Sports

In the United States, about 400 people are injured by lightning each year. But with a few simple precautions, you can avoid getting struck. Here’s how to tell if you’re going to get caught in a storm and what to do, especially when you’re hiking, camping or at a sporting event.

Managing Your Child’s Medical Illness at School     

School is for learning, but it’s also a place where your child can socialize and have fun. If your child has a medical condition, though, it may be hard for them to manage their schoolwork and make and keep friends. Our experts outline how you can help.