Last year, the Colorado Ballet Society celebrated its 25th year of offering dance in Colorado Springs. What began as a small studio with 26 students in 1997 has grown exponentially to include four resident companies, a large variety of dance classes and currently close to 500 students.
According to Artist Director Kate Walsh, “Colorado Ballet Society is a premier dance studio where we really focus on giving the dancers a firm foundation. Starting in our primary division, we follow the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum. It’s a very prestigious curriculum and we really try to provide strong technique that meets the highest standards.”
Walsh also noted that the studio’s focus on classical ballet training makes them unique here in Colorado Springs. Walsh says that safety of the dancers is a top concern which includes teaching them correct, safe practices from a young age to help avoid injuries. She loves working with students and passing on all the knowledge she learned during her 20-year professional dance career to others.
A Long History in Colorado Springs
Founded by Patricia Hoffman, the Colorado Ballet Society has a long-standing history of performance and partnerships in Colorado Springs. The Colorado Ballet Society has collaborated over the years with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, The Colorado Springs Conservatory, the Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble, the Colorado Springs Chorale and Children’s Chorale, the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony, the Colorado Springs Dance Theatre, and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.
With a focus on balancing the health of dancers while pursuing excellence, the studio offers classes starting at age 2 ½ through adults. Current class offerings include ballet, tap, jazz, acro, hip-hop, contemporary, variations, character, adult classical Spanish, Pilates, Pre Pointe, partnering, stretch and conditioning, praise dance, superheroes, Broadway, and men’s classes. The men’s program is offered on Saturdays (junior classes for boys and senior classes for men) and classes are free for participants for the entire year.
The studio houses a primary, secondary and upper, and pre-professional division. In addition, they offer four resident companies including the Colorado Youth Ballet, Connexus Dance Collective, Elevate Productions, and Praise Dance Ensemble.
Bringing Dance to Everyone
Walsh says, “One of the biggest things for me is trying to give the students as many opportunities for performance as possible.”
Upcoming performances include Take Flight on October 28, Nutcracker Teas on November 20 and 21, Holiday Showcase – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on December 9 and 10, and A Colorado Nutcracker on December 19 and 20. In addition to traditional performances and events, the studio frequently does outreach performances to connect with the community.
The studio offers a free trial class for anyone who wants to come in and see if they like it.
“We want to give everyone the opportunity to dance. That’s what we find really important here.”
Website: https://www.danceinthesprings.com/
Facebook + Instagram: @ColoradoBalletSociety
