CCDC Recital Information

Dance is not aerobics. Though both usually involve movement and music.

Ballet is not just exercise. Though repetition, exertion and, yes, sweat are a common denominator.

Dance is different from most other physical activities or sport. At its best, it allows full expression of the mind, spirit and emotions and combines it with music or silence that resonates within the soul. We're not just "pumpin' iron" here. The greatest dancers are great actors, skilled at creating a character or communicating an emotion or idea through a gesture, by sailing through space or by sudden stillness.

Here at Capital City Dance Center, we believe dance should be full expression of the "passionate pursuit of perfection", emotion in motion.

So, if ballet is an art form that should transcend sport, then, as a performing art, it demands performance. And, that's why we offer the annual CCDC Recital as an expanded performance opportunity.

As a recital, we offer friends and family a chance to observe the growth in ability of their dancers in addition to the CCDC Family Observation week.

For the Ballet Division, however, it's also an opportunity to learn about and present excerpts from the rich tradition of classical dance. This past year, for example, CCDC performed Acts 1+2 from Swan Lake. We've also performed portions of Giselle.  The year before that it was The Sleeping Beauty. And, early on, a lot of the kids were very surprised to learn that Walt Disney Productions did not originate the plot nor the music!

Dancing in a Corps de Ballet is very different from dancing in a ballet class. And, dancing on stage is a quantum leap from dancing in a studio. Both demand commitment of time and energy in rehearsals outside regular class times. Dancers have to learn at an early age that nothing really worthwhile in life comes easy. At CCDC, regular classes are time to focus on the technique and tools to becoming a dancer. We refuse to sacrifice all that time just to prepare for recital. So, the upper division Ballet students rehearse outside of regular class time to practice and perfect performance skills.

Also learned are lessons in ballet make-up, stage directions, care of costumes, theater customs and traditions. Nothing will make you prouder as a parent or a teacher than when your students put on that golden tutu or princely tunic and respond to the pressure of the spotlight and the adulation of an audience.

But, CCDC is also committed to keeping the costs of participating in the ballet and recital affordable. We've purchased imported professional tutus and will rent them to dancers in future productions. We're building a wardrobe of classical costumes that will help us keep future participation costs to a minimum. CCDC doesn't want our families to end up with closets or attics stuffed with years and years worth of expensive old recital costumes just gathering dust!

The Annual CCDC Ballet and Spring Showcase. Just another reason "From Pre-Ballet...to Pre-Professional...consider Capital City Dance Center"!

6.1.2007: The Difference Is CCDClear

This was when I decided to stick my two cents worth in and throw some fuel on the fire. They knew I was associated with a dance school and I knew they thought they were all the same. So, I joked, "Just sign your kids over to us! ...and while you're at it, just sign your paycheck over to us as well!" They just laughed in frustration.

You know why this was so funny? Speaking as a former stand-up comic, it's because it's SO NOT TRUE HERE AT Capital City Dance Center. What we do is much, MUCH WORSE! We teach proper technique and an appreciation for an art form. It's not just socializing, gossiping and showing off a cute new leotard, leg warmer, skirt or shrug. (In fact, NOTHING but leotard, tights and ballet slippers or pointe shoes allowed in ballet class!) What we do is much more insidious and can actually become a lifelong involvement with classical and contemporary dance forms...both as a performer and participant, and, as an observer and audience. It can become a positive addiction. And, "show choir" and "dance team" are NOT the solution to dance studios bent on separating you from your hard-earned income. "Performing" and "competing" are NOT the same as learning technique, building a repertory of classical steps and using them as "a means to greatest artistic self-expression". If you're looking at the economics, realize that a properly trained dancer can actually win scholarships, grants and tuition waivers to post-secondary education. And, the best dancers can even qualify to draw what are often known as "paychecks". You can actually get paid to do what you love. And, the most fortunate can even make a living performing or teaching.

Now, I think it may be too late for the kids of my two co-workers. (Fortunately, a third is taking classes at CCDC) Which is why I just joked with the two of them. Because once a child's been seduced by exposure to competition, fashion and socializing, it's often too late to supplant it with proper placement, technique and aesthetics. (That's not always true. We keep getting students from other schools who realize that something's missing in their so-called "training".) So, I can just shake my head in disbelief at my two co-workers complaints. Complaints like theirs are exactly why we do what we do every day at CCDC!

4.11.2007: Costume Crusader