“We unleash individual potential and invigorate community through dance.”
Youth Student Handbook 2023/2024
Colorado Conservatory of Dance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our Federal ID # is 46-2961115
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Contents 4 CCD Team 5 2023/2024 Season Schedule & Performance Opportunities 6 About CCD 8 Community Programming 9 Tuition Information 10 Level Placement 12 School Policies & Information 17 General Hair Guidelines 18 General Dress Code Guidelines 20 Level Information 22 Student Resources
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Mission At Colorado Conservatory of Dance, we unleash individual potential and invigorate community through dance.
Vision The Colorado Conservatory of Dance will be a responsible and stable national model of excellence in dance, health & wellness, and non-profit management.
Values With direction, purpose, and intent, the Colorado Conservatory of Dance creates a healthy and generous environment where students, parents and community members are nurtured and encouraged to develop their most creative and fulfilled selves. We responsibly pursue our mission with high standards and high expectations. We value mentorship and partnership, and we believe that dance should be available and accessible to all.
DEIA Colorado Conservatory of Dance, an anti-racist organization, supports BBIPOC, AAPI, LGBTQIA+, differently-abled, and neurodiverse peoples, as well as those who have been historically marginalized, oppressed, or underrepresented in our society. We believe in respect for all perspectives, the value of creativity, the power of art, and treating other humans with dignity and kindness.
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Team
“We unleash individual potential and invigorate community through dance.”
STAFF
BOARD
LESLIE CASTAÑUELA BARNES Executive Director
DAVID MANLEY Chair TARA JAE, PHD, MFA SANDRA PARKS Vice Chair Artistic Director SETH PATTERSON MICHELLE BERNIER Treasurer Director of Artistic Operations DIANE SCOTT JAMESON COURVILLE Secretary Marketing and Communications Manager KRISTEN DITGES-MANNING Member BREEGAN KEARNEY BRIAN FRUTIG Interim Community Education Manager Member SUE SAKAI JESSE MARTINEZ Costume Supervisor Member CRYSTAL WILSON JR ROEDEL Special Events & Patron Services Manager Member TIMOTHY J. SCHAFER Member CINDY WARD Sandra Parks Michelle Bernier Member Carly Hambridge LESLIE CASTAÑUELA BARNES Greer Harper Ex-Officio Karin Johnson
FACULTY
Breegan Kearney Jessica Montoya Leilani Montoya Jesús Muñoz Elizabeth Nesbitt Madeline Nguyen, apprentice Erin Patterson Rain Peruggi Katrin Roach John E. Roberts Karen Shanley Srivalli Sankaranarayanan Abbey Sterling, apprentice Heather Sutton Blythe Truhe, apprentice Brandon Welch Laura Whitby Sarah Wilson, apprentice
ARTISTIC ADVISORY COUNCIL Michelle Bernier Carly Hambridge Karen Shanley Heather Sutton Brandon Welch
BARRE ASSOCIATION
Jenny Dorough Shannon Scholtes
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2023/2024 Season Schedule & Performances Opportunities The Nutcracker December 9th, 10th, 16th, & 17th, 2023 Sensory Friendly Nutcracker December 15th, 2023 CCD Presents Sensory Friendly Concert in Collaboration with Colorado Symphony March 11th, 2024 DanceFound March 23rd, 2024 Young Choreographers Showcase in Collaboration with Denver Young Artists Orchestra April 27th, 2024 Sensory Friendly Home Is In Me / Casa está en Mi May 10th, 2024 Home Is In Me / Casa está en Mi May 10th, 11th, 2024 Gala: Children’s Ballet & Primary Levels June 1st, 2024 Gala: Dance Expressions, Intermediate & Advanced Levels June 1st, 2024 Gala: Intermediate & Advanced Levels June 1st, 2024 Summer Intensive Performance (all levels) June 27th, 2024
2023-2024 Season 38-Weeks August 14, 2023 June 1, 2024
Fall/Spring Office Hours Monday-Friday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Saturday 8:00 am - 2:00 pm 5
Contact Info 303.466.5685 info@ccdance.org www.ccdance.org
About CCD Who We Are
CCD believes in a better life through dance. We understand the importance of high-quality arts education. We begin our contribution and dedication to better lives through dance in our Broomfield studios. We teach dance in a healthy, caring, and nurturing way by listening, seeing, and fulfilling the needs of all of our dance students—both children and adults. CCD gives the same great training and commitment to students who dance purely for the joy of it as it does to those who have career aspirations. We continue our commitment beyond our Broomfield location through our thriving community programs. We seek to heighten education, deepen self-esteem, and further the art of dance in a fun and engaging way. We make a real and important impact for and with our community and enrich the future of arts education.
Youth Programs
Our dance classes begin with dancers age 1-2 in Dance With Me classes where a frown up caregiver accompanies them to class each week. At age 3-4, students move into their own classes in our Children’s division. At age 5, they begin Primary level classes. Based on teacher recommendations, they will eventually move into Intermediate and/or Advanced divisions. Students are encouraged to perform in our annual Spring Gala, and several other performance opportunities may pop up along the way, but the focus of our conservatory is training in dance for the love and joy of it and the many benefits it brings to one’s life, with performance as an occasional perk.
Adaptive Dance Classes Dance Expressions, an inclusive dance program developed by dance movement therapist Heather Sutton, uses a specifically designed adaptive curriculum to provide children of all abilities with a therapeutic dance experience. Students gain increased body awareness, develop fundamental motor skills and flexibility, improve self-esteem, concentration and focus, and have fun expressing themselves creatively. Students perform at the end of the year in CCD’s annual Gala performance.
Sensory Friendly Performances CCD offers a sensory-friendly version of its acclaimed production of The Nutcracker. With gorgeous sets, choreography, and international guest stars, thousands of families come to enjoy our production every season. In the spring, CCD’s Emerge Youth Ensemble adapts additional performances for sensoryfriendly audiences.
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About CCD Why We Fundraise
Colorado Conservatory of Dance is a nonprofit organization. Our fundraising efforts help to produce top-quality performances and keep ticket prices and tuition at reasonable rates. We strive to provide access to dance to as many members of the community as possible.
Faculty and Guest Teachers
Our faculty is comprised of dance experts who have extensive professional experience and/or advanced degrees in dance performance and pedagogy. View the full faculty list and guest teachers.
Support CCD There are many ways you can support CCD: donate, attend our performances, volunteer, become a sponsor, or advertise with us!
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Community Programs Move2Learn Elementary School Partnerships Our Move2Learn Cultural Series (M2L) is a bilingual program that focuses on promoting cultural inclusivity by celebrating the shared ancestry and traditions of our diverse community. Students learn history, dances, and songs across ten 45-60 minute classes that end in a culminating student body performance open to parents, families, and community. After-School Dance Our free onsite after-school and summer dance classes provide dedicated dance exposure to students in underserved populations who may not have access to traditional studios. Weekly classes introduce culturally inclusive styles with a focus in classical ballet technique and terminology. Anti-Bullying Programs Our signature Anti-Bullying Ballet Program is a unique opportunity for educators to showcase solution oriented content with deeper focus on social-emotional learning components. The program includes bilingual narration, pre and post curricular materials, and an original presentation tour with performance, lecture, and demonstration that delivers messages of inclusivity, compassion, and tolerance. New topics include immigration, socioeconomic issues, bias, and gender identity.
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Tuition Information CCD’s Conservatory season begins mid-August and runs 38 non-consecutive weeks as outlined by the school calendar. Tuition is calculated in 10 equal monthly installments through Gala. CCD’s Adult Program runs year-round with breaks for Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and Spring Break. Tuition is due on the 1st of each month; monthly statements and account balances are available in the parent portal. Tuition received after the 5th of the month will result in a $35 late fee. Additional fees may be assessed each month the payment is overdue. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL CCD REFUND OR CREDIT PAID TUITION. Exceptions may be made in the case of serious injury accompanied by a doctor’s note. To withdraw from classes, the Front Desk must be notified by the 15th of the month prior to withdrawing from classes (for example, notify the Front Desk by April 15th for May). Tuition installments can be paid by check, cash, or Visa/MasterCard. Monthly auto-payments can be set up through DanceStudio-Pro or by contacting the front desk. Returned checks will result in a $35 charge. Accounts past due on the 10th of the month may result in immediate suspension from classes until finances are settled. All accounts must be current for a student to participate in any CCD production, performance, or rehearsal. There is an annual $35 registration fee. The registration fee for additional family members is $10 per student. For detailed information regarding our photo usage, injury, and Covid-19 policies and waivers, please locate the pertinent waiver content on your DPS Parent Portal and/or our School Policies.
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Level Placement CCD believes in nurturing each student as an individual, carefully cultivating and crafting their education every step of the way. We believe in investing ourselves in each student, so they feel seen and cared about. To facilitate this, each student is individually assessed when they begin to take classes with us, and we continue to oversee their progress throughout the year, providing evaluations periodically to the dancer and their family. Our ballet training is based on a mixture of the English RAD, the Italian Cecchetti, the French, and Balachine methods. Our kinesthetically healthy classical technique builds great strength, versatility, and artistry while also allowing every kind of physical form to reach its potential in a healthy, accepting environment. Our jazz technique syllabus aims to guide our dancers from the historic vernacular roots through the performative styles of Broadway and classic jazz to current forms underpinning much of popular dance. We encourage our dancers to become generalists in jazz technique with a historic understanding of the past and present of the art form. CCD’s modern dance syllabus focuses our dancers on the general concepts and techniques of modern dance while imparting somatic understanding and improvisational skills. This conceptual understanding allows dancers to be successful in a range of modern styles while creating a full and developed physical understanding of their body and its abilities. Included is a historical overview of modern dance allows students to better interpret the development and execution of this technique. CCD’s contemporary syllabus explores dance methods, forms, and techniques that fall under the broad umbrella of contemporary dance. Dancers will study historic and present-day philosophies, ideas, attitudes towards performance, and cross-disciplinary creative approaches to movement exploration. Students will examine their own understanding of dance and performance and beginning their artistic identities as thinkers, movers, and makers.
Did you know that CCD has a family discount? We offer a 3% discount for the 2nd child and 3% for all subsequent siblings. This discount is applied automatically! 10
Level Placement Class placements are based on skill level and attainment of curriculum goals, rather than age. All placements are determined and monitored for follow up by the Artistic Leadership Team. Students may spend multiple years in each level before advancing to the next level. Students who do not take the recommended number of classes per week can expect to spend more time at each level in order to solidify technique. Summer placements will remain the same as the prior calendar year. Fall placements generally get released in July.
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School Policies & Info We believe that dance is for everyone. In order to foster an environment where anyone feels welcome, we have set policies on student conduct and attendance. We also have some helpful clothing and hair guidelines, and we hope to answer any frequently asked questions. Attendance & Punctuality Please submit an Absence Report online to notify the front desk if a dancer will not be able to attend class. You can make up a class (within the same semester of the absence date), by completing this form IN ADVANCE, then contacting the front desk to schedule a make-up time. Make-up classes must be in the same level as the missed class or lower. The style of the class made up does not have to be the same style as the class missed, but as close as possible is preferable. Reach out for guidance if needed. Accelerate classes may be made up in Intermediate 1. No tuition credits or refunds will be given for absences or missed classes. Make-up classes are not required for pre-scheduled Holidays & Studio closures. Unexpected closures, due to inclement weather or other unforeseen events, will require students to schedule makeup classes. Attending a winter interim class will count toward a missed fall semester class. Gala attendance requirements are strictly enforced and are outlined in our Gala information packet, which is distributed mid-January. Due to risk of injury, students may be asked to observe if they arrive more than 10 minutes late to class. This is for your student’s safety.
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School Policies & Info Observing Classes Minimal distractions are essential for an optimal classroom experience. Therefore, viewing windows are kept closed during all classes, with the exception of viewing weeks. Viewing weeks are the first full week of every month and are listed on our school calendar, as well as our monthly newsletter. Parents are welcome to observe through the observation windows during viewing weeks. Please “check in” from time to time, rather than standing at the window for the full length of the class to avoid crowding or blocking hallways. Do not pull chairs or other furniture up to windows. Our walls are not soundproof – please keep conversations quiet while observing. Class instructor must give permission to photograph classes. Video recording is also at the discretion of the instructor and should only be used for rehearsal purposes. Use of Facility Use the dressing rooms for changing – do not change in the restrooms. You may use the dress code with which you identify. A gender-neutral bathroom/changing area is available, and belongings may be stored in our all-gender lockers. Parents of young dancers, please help your dancers change in the dressing rooms – do not change in the lobby or hallway. Dads with daughters and moms with sons who need help dressing – please use the family restroom as needed. If your teacher is not in the studio, wait quietly in the hallway until they arrive.
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School Policies & Info Food & Drink Please be sure to eat healthy meals and snacks prior to arriving for class. You may bring food and drinks into the dressing room as long as you clean up all crumbs, papers, and spills and throw away any trash. No gum, candy, or food inside the studios. No drinks except for water bottles inside the studios. Healthy snacks are available for purchase at CCD’s Fueling Station. Personal Belongings Keep all personal belongings in tidy order and keep the dressing room and lobby neat. Mark all belongings (including shoes and dance bags) with your full name. Do not use, take, or touch others’ belongings without permission. Leave all valuable items and large amounts of money at home to avoid any risk of loss or theft. Colorado Conservatory of Dance is not liable for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property. Maximum Class Sizes We are committed to every student. To ensure that we provide the highest quality dance instruction and attention, we limit our class sizes. Classes with fewer than 6 students may be canceled. Dance with Me – 10 children & their caregivers Dance Expressions – 10 students Early Dance Division – 10 ballet student Primary Division – 15 students Intermediate & Advanced Division Ballet – 20 students Accelerate! - 20 students Classes incorporating more than two levels – 25 students Classes in Studio 6 – 9 students
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School Policies & Info Student Expectations To create an optimal learning environment, allow your teacher to facilitate an orderly process. It’s helpful for dancers to raise their hands to ask questions or make an observation. Conduct yourself at all times in a positive, cooperative way and follow the rules of the school. Give your full attention to the teacher in class without socializing. Stand tall and proud with your hands to yourself – hanging/leaning on the barre and touching the mirrors and stereo equipment are not allowed. Ask your instructor for permission if you need to sit down or leave the room. Please use the restroom before class to avoid leaving class for bathroom breaks. Students may not enter a studio without the permission of a teacher. Show respect and encouragement for all fellow dancers in the school. Act as a role model for younger dancers. Avoid running through hallways. Do not use, touch, or play with others’ belongings without permission. Lost and Found Unclaimed clothing items are collected nightly and added to the lost and found box, located in the female-identifying dressing room, as that is where there is adequate space to do so. If you do not use this dressing room, please ask the front desk to check for you. Valuable items and pointe shoes are held at the front desk. ∙ Unclaimed items will be donated to charity monthly.
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School Policies & Info Accessories Watches, bracelets, necklaces, and large earrings are a safety hazard and are not permitted in class – small, secure earrings are okay. Students who wear necklaces, bracelets, or other jewelry to class will be asked to remove them. CCD is not responsible for jewelry removed during class, so it is best to leave it at home. Religious accessories, such as a hijabs, are permitted. Please speak to the Artistic Leadership Team to arrange. Entering and exiting the building Dancers must wear ‘cover-ups’ (sweats or street clothes) over their dance clothes anytime they are entering and exiting the building or any event with CCD. Most dancers are or will become comfortable wearing dance wear here in our building, but it is customary to add layers when coming and going or to change in the dressing room, for physical health, personal safety, and community safety. Warm-Up Clothes ‘Warm-ups’ and other clothes cover up students’ bodies and make it hard for teachers to see their technique and physical needs. Warm-ups, skirts, shorts, shirts or street wear are only permitted ballet class until the end of the third exercise at the barre. Warm-ups and other clothing are allowed in classes like Strength and Conditioning. See our dress code for style-specific guidelines.
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General Hair Guidelines Hair Code General Philosophy Our hair requirements are meant to help our dancers to perform actions of the head (like spotting for turns) without impediment. Additionally, we want to discourage dancers from tossing their head unnecessarily to get their hair out of their eyes, which can become a habitual action. Expectations Female-identifying dancers should have hair pulled away from the face. For ballet and ballet-related classes, it should be pulled into a secure bun. Bangs must be secured back. Short hair must be kept from the face using clips, barrettes or pins. Headbands are not allowed until the Advanced Division. Male-identifying dancers should have hair pulled away from the face. Long hair must be pulled into a ponytail. Bangs must be secured back. Students in Children’s Ballet may wear their hair in ponytails. We recommend keeping a separate bag with a brush/comb, bobby pins, elastics, clips and hairnets in the dancer’s dance bag, along with hairspray/ gel. If there are ongoing concerns with a student’s hair, they will be asked to sit out of class when not in code. Dancers may wear head coverings for religious purposes, such as hijabs. Needing Help? We know it can be tricky learning to put hair in a bun, and we are happy to help you. Just ask at the front desk. (Times before and after class can be very busy for the front desk, so please leave adequate time for help with hair.) While we are happy to help, you are responsible for your child’s hair. Please attempt to learn to do the appropriate hairstyle by your 3rd week in classes. Dancers at the Advanced level should know how to do their own hair, so practice should begin at the Intermediate 3 level.
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General Dress Code Guidelines Dress Code General Philosophy CCD is dedicated to providing the highest quality dance education within an environment that creates and nurtures artists. We have a well-defined dress code which allows for our faculty to do their best work by being able to see the full form of the dancers they are working with. Additionally, our female-identifying students’ dress code leotard is designed specifically for CCD students to find and use proper placement. We believe this leotard is an incredible tool to add to our faculty’s “tool box.” As an organization committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion we are adapting former standard dress codes to be more inclusive. CCD will continue to evolve our dress code so every human who wants to dance finds a home at CCD. Finally, CCD loves to teach all bodies how to dance. CCD is a body-safe learning environment where no bodies will be judged. We hope to help our dancers learn to enjoy their physical form and to dance with wild abandon, vulnerability, and authenticity. View our dress code online. All items can be purchased or ordered through Boulder Body Wear. If there are ongoing concerns with a student’s attire, the dancer will be asked to sit out of class when not in dress code. Skirts may not be worn in ballet/pointe class; they are optional for variations. Avoid designs on any clothing worn to dance class - solid colors are best. Help avoid an uncomfortable situation for your dancer by explaining these aspects of the CCD dress code ahead of time and arrive to class in proper attire. This will also prepare them for our year-end Gala and other performances as they progress, where costuming will be built around these dress code items. We are happy to make necessary alterations to this dress code for religious purposes. Please speak with the front desk to make arrangements.
CCD Students recieve a 20% discount at Boulder Body Wear 18
General Dress Code Guidelines A special note for female dancers Tights serve as underwear beneath their leotards, so be sure to buy dance tights which have a cotton crotch. Underwear inhibits movement, breaks up the lines on the body, and is not allowed under tights. We know this can be a bit of a surprise for younger dancers, but they adjust quickly. If you need advice about dealing with women’s issues around this, please ask for a private conversation with your teacher. A special note for male dancers Male students should always wear dance briefs or a dance belt under their tights. These items serve the same purpose as a jockstrap and protect a male dancer from injury. You can purchase dance briefs and dance belts from Boulder Body Wear. A special note for our transgender and non-binary dancers You may use the dress code with which you identify. A gender-neutral bathroom/ changing area is available and belongings may be stored in our general-purpose lockers. CCD is also committed to continuing to evolve with how we provide a safe space for our transgender community. If there is another option which would make you or your dancer feel safe and accepted, let’s have a conversation, so the organization may continue to evolve.
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Level Information Dance Expressions (ages 6 and up*)
Dance Expressions is an inclusive program with a specifically designed adaptive curriculum, providing children of all abilities with a therapeutic dance experience. Learn More
Dance With Me (ages 1 to 2)
You and your toddler will build connections while bopping, wiggling and dancing in a safe and fun environment. Learn More
Early Dance Division (ages 3 to 4)
Through games, play, and imagination exercises, your little dancers will learn to skip, march and gallop along with the basics of ballet, rhythm, and counting. Learn More
Primary Ballet 1/2/3 (ages 5 to 8)
Your student will develop musical awareness, rhythm, and coordination through the fundamentals of ballet, creative movement, acting, and games. Learn More
Intermediate 1/2/3 (ages 6 to 12)
We emphasize the enjoyment of dance within the framework and regimen of classical ballet training. Learn More
Accelerate! Division (ages 9 and up)
A program unique to CCD, we’ve designed Accelerate! to help pre-teens and teens jump into dance through an accelerated learning process. Learn More
*At the discretion of the Artistic Advisory Council
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Level Information Advanced 1/2/3/4 (ages 12 to 20)
Students in the Advanced Division transition to our more advanced syllabus, taking on more complex combinations, multiple turns, and big jumps, while refining their movements and building stamina. Pre-Pointe & Pointe begin in this Division. Learn More
Advanced 5 (ages 14 to 24)
Students in this program often plan to go on to college programs or professional careers in dance. Classes are challenging and highly motivating, and students have high expectations for themselves and the quality of their work. Learn More
Emerge Youth Ensemble (ages 12 to 24)
Emerge Youth Ensemble comprises dedicated, curious, and talented dancers from our Advanced 1/2/3/4/5 Divisions, offering them additional performance opportunities. Learn More
Pre-Professional Training Program (ages 15 to 22)
Performers enrolled in Emerge Youth Ensemble who are considering a professional career in ballet or contemporary dance are encouraged to enroll in our Pre-Professional Training Program. Learn More
Adult Program (ages 18 and up)
Our Adult classes are for those ages 18+. From the fundamentals of ballet to advanced technique, CCD offers a wide range of classes to fit a busy schedule. Enroll in unlimited classes, or signup for our flexible classes one at a time. Learn More
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Student Resources Dress Code Season Schedule Nutcracker Participation Requirements Gala Participation Requirements Scholarship Information Report and Absence Inclement Weather Alumni
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www.ccdance.org (303) 466-5685 info@ccdance.org 3001 Industrial Lane, #12 Broomfield, CO 80020
Colorado Conservatory of Dance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our Federal ID # is 46-2961115
