Family YMCA Dance Center to Hold Auditions for 2015-16 Company Program, June 17

Does your child love dancing — and want to be part of an award-winning team?! Audition for the Westport Weston Family YMCA Dance Center Company!

Our education-based program is geared toward creating well-rounded dancers with strong technique, coordination and focus. We strive to engage students physically and intellectually while helping them have fun while learning.

The Dance Center program also includes the award-winning Junior, Petite, Mini and Kinder Performing Companies, as well as the Pre Company class for four year olds interested in getting on the Company track.

The Dance Program meets from September to June. We offer two semesters, Fall and Winter/Spring. There is an end of the year performance in June (this year on Saturday June 13), which requires a non-refundable costume fee included in the Winter/Spring session tuition. Dance Center members also take part in two regional dance competitions each spring and perform at special venues like the Town of Westport’s annual Art About Town street party on Main Street in May.

Auditions for the 2015-16 Company program will take place at the Westport Weston Family YMCA on Wednesday, June 17, 4-5 pm for Kinder Company, ages 5-6; and 5-6:30 pm for Mini, Petite & Junior Companies, ages 7-12+.

Junior Company (Ages 12+) students will be required to study Funky Jazz/Hip Hop, Tap and Ballet, with an optional class in Lyrical. Tap, Hip Hop and Lyrical will be entered into two dance competitions during the year.

Petite Company (Ages 9-11) students will be required to study Funky Jazz/Hip Hop, Tap and Ballet, with an optional Lyrical class. Tap, Hip Hop and Lyrical will be entered into two dance competitions during the year.

Mini Company (Ages 7-9) students will participate in Tap, Ballet and Jazz. The Tap and Jazz pieces will be entered into two dance competitions during the year.

Kinder Company (Ages 5-6; Kindergarten and 1st Grade) will participate in Funky Jazz and Ballet I/Tap I. Only the Funky Jazz piece will be entered into the two dance competitions scheduled for the 2015-16 program.

Pre Company (Age 4) is a non-competitive class but is the first step toward being a part of our accelerated and award-winning company program. Dancers in Pre Company will participate in Tap, Jazz and Ballet. No audition required, though participants must receive final approval from the Dance Center Director.

Dance Company participation requires a commitment of 2 competitions a year and 1-2 local performances. Current and new YMCA Dance Center Company members are also encouraged to take part in the following Jazz Intensive Summer Classes at the YMCA’s Bedford Family Center, 14 Allen Raymond Lane, on the Y’s Mahackeno campus in Westport:

August 17-21 (Monday-Friday) 1-2:15 pm (Kinder & Mini)

August 17-21 (Monday-Friday) 2:30-3:45 pm (Petite & Junior)

The fee for each class is $210; YMCA Membership is required.

For more information, please contact Dance Center Director Lillian Cenatiempo at 203-226-8981, ext. 118 or lcenatiempo@westporty.org.