Dance Academy to Perform “Don Quixote”

Miguel de Cervantes’ romantic and witty story, “Don Quixote,” will receive the youthful and energetic interpretation of the talented young dancers with Civic Arts’ Dance Academy, a joint program between CAE and Diablo Ballet. Set in the colorful streets of Spain, the classical ballet (considered one of the most technically demanding dances) is part of the Spring Dance Concert on May 30.

“This is really a fun concert,” says Diablo Ballet’s Lauren Jones. “We have students from as young as two years old through 18 performing tap, hip hop, and both contemporary and classical ballet.”

Students under seven years of age will perform a variety of short dances with a sneak preview of the dances from “Don Quixote” performed by the Professional Intermediate/Advanced Program (PIP) directed by Rebecca Crowell Berke. “The PIP dancers are sort of like guest artists at the May 30 concert,” Rebecca says. “It gives the young dancers an idea of what they might also do someday.”

The dance concert continues on June 1 with Ballet 3 and 4 and the PIP students performing 11 dances from primarily Act I of “Don Quixote.” According to Rebecca, the dances give her students a chance to perform in Spanish costumes with fans and shawls. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to do a period piece and be toreadors and flirtatious Spanish ladies. They’ll perform the original choreography and really get the flavor of this well-known ballet story,” she says. “It’s a nice repertoire ballet for them to learn and adds so much to their ballet education.”

Another highlight of the June 1 concert is a number from “Harry Potter” choreographed by Diablo Ballet instructor Erin Leedom. A former principal dancer with Oakland Ballet and Ballet West, Erin trained at the American Ballet Theatre and the Joffrey Ballet in New York as well as the San Francisco Ballet. She has performed all over Europe and the United States and is the artistic director for California Academy of Ballet Company and School. “We are very fortunate to have instructors of Erin’s quality,” says Rebecca. “And, she has choreographed a lovely contemporary ballet based on Hermione’s theme. It has an element of mystery and magic to it.”

For more information on the May 30 and June 1 Spring Dance Concert, visit www.arts-ed.org or call 925-943-5846.