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Upcoming Events
Los Gatos Ballet's Marcie Ryken collaborates with San Jose Dance Theatre in her sixth year as Artistic Director for Tchaikovsky's beloved Nutcracker ballet. A true Christmas tradition, this production is all about the kids. Student dancers from all over the Bay Area and many different schools audition and every dancer receives a part. The dancers then have the privilege of dancing with professional artists in a professional venue.
SJDT is a non-profit production company. This group has similar goals as LGBT in that both serve the community by giving children an opportunity to participate in and be exposed to the arts. This is SJDT's 43nd year producing The Nutcracker, Northern California's oldest non-profit production. Come enjoy the magical tradition of The Nutcracker.
For tickets call SJDT at 286-9905.
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Carnival of the Animals
Student Choreography
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Clare Schweitzer
Congratulations to Clare Schweitzer, the 2008 recipient of the Guild's Dancer Merit Award for Outstanding Achievement. This award recognizes a student who has consistently displayed a passion for dance, a disciplined work ethic, and peer mentoring abilities. Chosen by LGB Director Marcie Ryken and former Associate Director Crystal Petzel, Clare received her award following the spring performance of Carnival of the Animals.
Graduating from Los Gatos High, Clare will attend Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts this Fall. Looking at her full schedule, one wonders how she managed to maintain Ivy League standards and dance with LGB. Her rationale? "Push yourself to the limit," she claims. In order to continue a love of dance and avoid any burnout, Schweitzer advises young dancers to "Remember why you dance. Don't feel obligated to be the greatest ever - just do what you love!"
Clare's repertoire with LGB includes the Wolf in Peter and the Wolf, the Fairy of Temperament in Aurora's Wedding, and her flamenco solo in this year's Student Choreography. "The wolf was one of my favorite parts," Schweitzer states, and explains that she especially enjoyed her flamenco solo that incorporated both contemporary elements and traditional flamenco.
The Dancer Merit Award includes a tiara for the dancer, a gift certificate to Discount Dance Supply, and the dancer's name on a plaque kept at the studio. The Guild is delighted to recognize Clare's outstanding work, her consistent mentoring skills, and love of dance. Congratulations, Clare, and best wishes at Mount Holyoke!
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Enriching our community through the universal language of dance.
Dear Guild Members,
What a year it has been, and congratulations are in order! Thanks to your financial support, the Los Gatos Ballet Guild has successfully completed its first year exceeding our goal of raising twenty thousand dollars. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
We accomplished much in our first year. Enjoy the articles in this issue informing you of what we have been up to and where your donations have been used.
As we have worked to develop the Guild, we have refined our mission statement to more clearly state our vision. The Guild's mission is to support Los Gatos Ballet's goal to
"Enrich our community through the universal language of dance."
We do this by:
Providing financial and promotional support for productions through guild membership and fund-raising events.
Providing educational and enrichment programs to the community by:
· Offering dance programs for elementary schools in need of arts programs
· Offering performance opportunities for the community to enjoy
· Providing financial assistance or free tickets for underserved communities
Providing a community atmosphere to members and dancers by offering:
· Mentoring for new families and their dancers
· Special events for members, students, parents and friends
· Junior Guild membership for dancers eleven to twenty-one
· Community service opportunities for teens
What is coming next? We are working on developing a scholarship program and new fundraising projects. For our ballet moms, a "Mentor-Mom" program is set in place to help new families adjust to the world of dance.
I would like to take this time to say a personal THANK YOU to the members of the Guild Council. These members have been amazing to collaborate with and I am truly honored to work with each one of them. They have all put in countless hours to see the Guild come to fruition.
Lastly, the end of the year and tax write off opportunities for 2008 are quickly approaching. I would like to ask that you please consider an end of the year tax-deductible donation to LGBT. We would love to start the year off fiscally strong and ready to serve our community.
I am thrilled with the progress we have made and looking forward to the future of Los Gatos Ballet and its Guild. It is a joy to serve the Silicon Valley Community and its children.
Barbie Aknin
Los Gatos Ballet Guild Council President
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Carnival of the Animals
by Karen Beach
What happens when music and magic intertwine with a young boy's dreams? The answer to this question was Los Gatos Ballet's spring show, Carnival of the Animals. Set to the bewitching music of Camille Saint-Saens, the ballet transported its audience to a wondrous zoo, complete with chicks and swans, jellyfish and crabs, and even lions and elephants. Choreographed by Director Marcie Ryken and Associate Director Crystal Petzel, the ballet followed a young boy's imagination as he met and danced with a variety of animals. Featuring company members and students from beginning to advanced levels, the ballet was a whirlwind of color and movement.
Following Carnival, Advanced and Intermediate company members performed excerpts from Chopin's Les Sylphide, the first of the great non-story ballets. Rounding out the evening, company members took matters into their own hands with the annual Youth Choreography Showcase. Intermediate and advanced students had the privilege of presenting their own choreographic visions. This responsibility included choosing music and dance form, costume design, lighting and direction. The audience was treated to a variety of styles of dance and music; a wonderful time for all.
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What's the Pointe?
Where has your investment been used? We want to keep you updated. - The purchase of all costumes for the 2007 spring show Gypsy Caravan
- The Degas-style tutus for the 2008 production of Les Sylphides
- All of the above costumes are now in the "costume bank" catalogued and ready for future shows.
- Our first Dancer Merit award for Outstanding Achievement to Brittany Steacy. Our second Dancer Merit award for Outstanding Achievement awarded to Clare Schweitzer.
- Our pilot school outreach program "Leaps and Bounds". This consisted of six weeks of dance instruction and exploration for 80 second graders at Anderson Village Elementary School.
- We also treated the entire school to come see Carnival of the Animals, 450 students in all, and their first field trip in years!
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Back to School
For most students back to school requires new clothes, papers, pencils and books. Back to ballet school is no different; the ballet bag must be filled with everything crisp and new including leotards, hairpins, band-aids and ballet shoes. The Guild welcomed students back in September with gifts for new and returning LGB dancers and mentor information for families. This year the younger students received gift bags with hair supplies and lip balm. The older students received a nail kit for tired toes. We also introduced our new Mentor Mom, Guild Council member Kristie Driscoll. Krisite will be available to parents who have questions such as the ever problematic "How do I make a bun?" As the school season gets underway, the Los Gatos Ballet Guild wishes each student great success!
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Children grow by Leaps and Bounds!
by Alison Ahmed and Karen Beach
The Los Gatos Ballet Theater Guild is committed to fostering the love of dance and making it accessible to all age groups and socio-economic backgrounds in Los Gatos and nearby communities. According to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation Arts and Culture Issue Brief, "studies show that arts education is crucial in developing well-rounded students...and exposure to the study and practice of dance helps students gain valuable skills." However, while 90% of adults in Santa Clara County would like to see public school students receive meaningful arts education, such training is difficult to find in Santa Clara County public schools. As schools compete for state and federal funding dollars, arts training is seen as less significant, and many programs are slashed. Seeing this need for local arts education, the Guild proposed an Outreach program during the spring of 2008.The Guild selected Anderson Village Elementary, a San Jose Title 1 public school for our pilot project. Outreach coordinator Alison Ahmed along with Co-coordinator Mary Imig, both Guild Council members, worked with then LGB Associate Director Crystal Petzel to develop the following goals:- Introduce ballet to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to take dance classes
- Teach children beginning ballet basics including dance terminology, rhythm, counting to music, practicing ballet stretches and steps, and performing simple choreography
- Collaborate with the Anderson Village performing arts teacher to integrate ballet instruction into the regular classroom program
The outreach, appropriate titled Leaps and Bounds, was a smashing success. During the six- week program, Petzel met with second grade students for a weekly ballet class. Advanced students from LGB assisted and were able to earn community service hours and teaching skills. The result? Second graders like ballet! "My favorite part of ballet class was plie, leaping, pirouette and bridge. I miss you so much!" (Marsha, a second grade dancer.) Plus, Anderson Village Elementary staff noted other positive aspects of the program, specifically that students felt connected to the teacher and LGB dance mentors, that students remembered dance steps and terms, and students began practicing stretches and dance steps at home. The program provided more than an exposure; it was a truly hands (and feet) on experience!Leaps and Bounds concluded with the entire school, all 450 students, being treated to the Los Gatos Ballet spring show, Carnival of the Animals. According to Anderson staff, this field trip was long overdue, an experience the school had not enjoyed for many years. The Guild plans to continue this worthwhile program and hopes to expand it by offering additional programs to schools in need. As funds allow, we will endeavor to develop a scholarship program for exemplary students attending Leaps and Bounds that will assist them in pursuing their passion for the universal language of dance. |
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Donations
Would you like to make a practical donation? LGBT is always in need of
printer paper and ink (HP Color LaserJet 2840.)
Thank you! LGBT is a 501(3)c non-profit organization
visit us at www.lgballettheater.org or call 408.399.7577
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