The Community Arts School Dance Company
*Missed auditions, but still looking to be a part of our incledible Dance Company season? Email hdennen@bw.edu to discuss alternate audition options for this season.
The BW CAS Dance Company is a comprehensive dance program for serious dancers and students looking to build their technical skill set. Our goal is to give students the highest quality education in multiple dance genres and create the most well-rounded dancer possible. Dance Company works as a bridge to the dance industry, preparing serious students to reach their fullest potential. Participants can expect small class settings, personalized critiques, and focused instruction.
The BW CAS Dance Company works as a team. Participants have the benefit of well-rounded training with other students who share a similar work ethic and passion. Personalized curriculum tracks allow company members to focus on their individual goals with the support of an exemplary faculty and fellow dancers. This unique structure allows dancers to work cohesively and build lifelong friendships with their fellow company members!
The Dance Company curriculum is specifically designed to be well rounded and comprehensive. The curriculum mirrors the ever-evolving scope of the dance world and empowers our dancers to be relevant, knowledgeable and employable in the current dance landscape.
We train dancers on and beyond the dance floor. Company dancers set personal goals and are assisted in taking the steps needed to achieve these goals. Anatomy and kinesiology training are studied throughout our classes, so students are educated in proper technique, injury prevention and recovery methods to keep them dancing for many years to come.
Expert faculty guide the Dance Company students using their own blend of professional, yet relatable, experience. Dance Company faculty focus on the dancer as whole artist and place emphasis on the mindset, confidence, work ethic and joy for each individual dancer.
The Company schedule will include weekly classes in the following genres:
- Acro
- Ballet
- Contemporary
- Jazz
- Musical Theatre Dance
The Dance Company schedule will also include weekly classes in the following specialty genres:
- Dynamic Technique: Technical approach to muscle memory to improve understanding of core stability, weight placement and alignment for increased flexibility, strength and technique in dancers
- Jumps, Leaps, and Turns: Technical skills and tricks needed across multiple genres
- Commercial Dance: Dance artistry and stylization found in movies, music videos and TV (Teen Tracks only)
In addition to these weekly classes, Dance Company will have master classes scheduled throughout the year. Each master class will have a specific focus designed to help our students grow in their knowledge of dance technique, audition preparation, vocals, acting, health and wellness and more!
As part of the Baldwin Wallace Community Arts School Dance Company, each student will receive three (2) half-hour meetings with a dance faculty adviser to help set goals, construct a personalized training plan and address any questions or concerns regarding growth and goals.
Team bonding events designed to build relationships and friendships within the company will be scheduled throughout the season. Specific effort is made for the Dance Company to create a team-oriented culture and we have a lot of fun along the way!
The Baldwin Wallace Community Arts School is committed to providing Dance Company with meaningful performance opportunities throughout the season. These performances will be specifically designed to let the dancers push the boundaries of their artistry, have first-hand experience in a professional performance environment and give the dancers unique opportunities they could not have anywhere else.
Performance rehearsals will be in addition to the dancer’s weekly class schedule. The days and times of these additional rehearsals will be communicated prior to the first rehearsal for that performance to allow families to plan accordingly.
Select Dance Company dancers will have the opportunity to collaborate with Baldwin Wallace University on additional performance(s) during the season.
Not all Dance Company members will be eligible to participate in every performance opportunity. All Dance Company members are guaranteed to be invited to a minimum of three performance opportunities during the season. Performance eligibility is at the sole discretion of the Dance Company director.
The BW CAS Dance Company is for any student focused on advancing and honing their technical skillset with a strong commitment to their personal dance education. Dance Company is designed to benefit students pursuing professional dance careers, but it is not limited to students who want to dance professionally. Dance and dedication to a training company provides many benefits outside of dance technique including work ethic, increased confidence, time management, teamwork, sportsmanship and much more. Dance Company is also rewarding and fun. The BW CAS Dance Company faculty will dedicate themselves to ensuring that any student coming through the program will have both the dance technique and the personal knowledge to be successful at anything they wish to pursue in the future.
AGES:
Any student ages 6 - 18 may audition for the BW CAS Dance Company. Students will be divided into company groupings based on age and skill. Our three company groupings are Petite, Junior and Teen. Once placed within a company grouping, each student will receive their own individual track designed to provide the best opportunity for development and growth. Dancers may be invited to cross-train between two tracks.
NOTE: Company selection and placement will be at the sole discretion of the dance company director.
CAS Dance Company is divided into three skill-appropriate levels. Within each level are multiple tracks. Individual students will be placed into classes that are best suited for their individual goals and their individual skill level within each genre. While all Dance Company classes are specifically for Dance Company, students may not take every class with the same company dancers. This customization allows dancers to work at a level that is most beneficial to their current needs and skill set.
Petite Company:
Petite Company is designed for students ranging in age from 6 – 11 years old. Petite Company students may be newer to their dance journey. Students at this level will focus on building a solid technical foundation designed to provide success in higher company levels. Petite Company students will have 5 hours of dance classes per week.
Junior Company:
Junior Company is designed for students ranging in age from 7 – 14 years old. Junior Company students must have a solid grasp of foundational technique, excellent focus and dance stamina, as well as a strong work ethic. Junior Company students will each receive their own course track within the junior company offerings to ensure they are training at the level appropriate for them and are receiving the instruction needed to help them pursue their individual goals. Junior Company students will dance 7 hours per week.
Teen Company:
Teen Company is designed for students age 10 and up. At a minimum, teen students should be able to display a firm grasp of foundational technique. Within the teen company there will be multiple tracks at varying technical levels. Each student will be placed on a track that is best suited for their own technical level in each individual genre. Unique placements in each individual genre ensure every student learns at an appropriate level and is constantly challenged. Each student’s personal goals will be taken into consideration when they are placed on a track. Teen Company students will dance a minimum of 10 hours per week.
All company members will receive their own personalized schedule after audition placement. Each dancer’s unique schedule will be based on their own goals and their current level for each individual genre. Dancers will be scheduled for class within the time frames listed below based on their individual track assignments. Exact times are subject to change.
NOTE: ALL rehearsal times will be in addition to these scheduled class times.
NEW THIS SEASON!
CAS Dance Company dancers will be eligible to participate in two travel opportunities during the 2022/2023 season. Participation in these travel events in highly encouraged, but not mandatory. Decisions to not participate in travel opportunities will have no effect on Dance Company placement.
CONVENTION: Dance conventions are a wonderful way for dancers to experience multiple instructors, dance genres, and other dancers in one action-packed fun weekend. CAS dancers will attend one convention (within reasonable driving distance of CAS). The convention and date of the convention will be announced prior to the beginning of the season.
DISNEY PERFORMING ARTS: Dance Company dancers will perform at Disney Springs, attend educational workshops led by Disney professionals, and get behind-the-scenes experiences with BW graduates working at Disney.
Participating dancers (and their families) get discounts on park tickets and have access to special events reserved only for Disney Performing Arts participants. This is truly an event for the entire family.
An informational meeting about Disney Performing Arts, timeline, rehearsal requirements, cost, packages etc. will take place the first week of the 2022/2023 dance season.
*Please note that all travel opportunities and fees associated with travel are in addition to the Dance Company season tuition.
INCLUDES:
- All dance classes, choreography, and rehearsal instruction
- Master classes scheduled throughout the year
- Two ½ hour meetings with a faculty advisor
- Exclusive Dance Company performance opportunities
- Team bonding activities
PETITE COMPANY |
JUNIOR COMPANY |
TEEN COMPANY |
|
Monthly Payment (Aug-May) |
$165.00 |
$185.00 |
$240.00 |
Full Season Cost |
$1,650.00 |
$1,850.00 |
$2,400.00 |
*Tuition can be paid in full up front or can be paid on a variety of customizable payment plans. There is no additional cost for a payment plan.
*All CAS students pay an annual registration fee of $25.00.
*All CAS dance students pay an annual recital fee of $95.00.
The BW Community Arts School remains committed to providing families with the opportunity to apply for and receive financial aid. Financial aid applications will be available in late summer. Financial aid awards have no effect on a student’s placement or acceptance into the Dance Company.
Dance Company Auditions will take place on Saturday, August 6, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Please note that dancers entering at the Petite Company level will NOT audition. Please reach out to the Dance Company Director to determine if Petite Company is a good fit for your student.
Dancers auditioning for Junior or Teen placement must:
- Come to auditions with hair slick back from face and should be wearing form fitting, appropriate, dance attire.
- Learn a short combination provided by CAS.
- Prepare a 60 second solo in their favorite dance style to present at auditions.
- Provide their own music for this solo and bring their music on an MP3 compatible device.
- Be prepared to answer questions about themselves, their dance training, and future dance plans.
- Be prepared for group auditions where they will be asked to perform the provided short combination and demonstrate dance technique.
Dance combinations are provided below. Dancers only need to present ONE of the two provided combinations. Please choose the combination that best represents your current level. Clean and well-presented is always the best choice! We are not looking for technical perfection, we are looking for work ethic, ability to learn choreography, and what YOU uniquely bring to the combination! Don't forget about your artistry!
Contact Heather Dennen, Director of Dance, at hdennen@bw.edu or
(216) 372-8062 to learn more or with any questions.
