In residence at CCBC Essex, the CCBC Dance Company is under the Artistic Direction of Melinda Blomquist and Associate Director Kristi Schaffner. The Company provides expanded learning and performing opportunities for CCBC Dance students to grow as artists.
The CCBC Dance Company performs in the CCBC Dance Concert each Fall and Spring semester, showcasing original and restaged works by faculty and guest artists. Students have the opportunity to submit and present their own choreographed work, selected through an adjudication process.
Beyond the stage, the Dance Company is committed to community outreach, offering performances, masterclasses and demonstrations at local middle and high schools.
The CCBC Dance Company hosts a guest artist residency each semester. Guest artists have included: Gallim Dance Company, Nathaniel Hunt, Ephrat Ahserie Dance, Company E, Jon Lehrer, John Zullo, Peter Pucci, Alvin Mayes, Adrienne Clancy, Nicole Martinell, Cynthia Gutierrez and Gesel Mason.
The Company's work explores the art of dance in live performances.
The CCBC Dance Company holds auditions the first Friday of classes each semester at 11:15 a.m. in the Essex Campus Dance Studios. Once accepted, dancers must be concurrently enrolled in at least one DANC technique course and DANC 240 Dance Workshop, which meets on Fridays from 11:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Rehearsals for the CCBC Dance Company are typically from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., in addition to the Friday class and rehearsal from 11:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Depending on the requirements of a choreographer, rehearsals may be scheduled on an as-needed basis each semester.
Students need to complete the registration form prior to the audition. There is no need to prepare a solo or other movement combinations prior to the audition. Come to the audition ready to dance.
Students can create choreography that is adjudicated to be included in the Fall and Spring concerts.
The CCBC Dance Company participates in the American College Dance Association Conferences where students have the opportunity to take masterclasses with various dance artists and perform in concerts. CCBC has been selected for the Gala Concert in previous conferences.
Artistic Director
