Each year Sugarloaf Ballet sponsors a Youth Concert Series (YCS) to promote concert dance work in Gwinnett County. The 9th Annual Youth Concert Series, formerly known as Young Choreographers Showcase, will be held at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center Jan. 26-27, 2013. Show times are Saturday 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. and Sunday 3 p.m.
As Sugarloaf Ballet endorses concert dance in the
Gwinnett and surrounding areas, Sugarloaf Ballet extends performance invitations to local college dance programs and other well-respected institutions. Aside from distinctive choreography, these dance organizations are selected based on their ability to bring a superior level of technique to their performances.
YCS 2013 participants include Georgia Ballet, Kennesaw State University (KSU) and Brenau University. “These are the type of quality programs we are preparing our students to transition into when they complete their studies with us,” says Michelle Bourgeois, Sugarloaf Ballet Company Director.
Bravo Dance Center, an Acworth studio, will also participate in YCS for a third consecutive year contributing numerous pieces to this year’s performances. Participating for a second year, Georgia Ballet will offer pieces from their ballet repertoire. KSU will present “Rebuild,” a contemporary ballet piece by renowned choreographer and Assistant Professor of Dance, Sandra Shih Parks. Brenau University will contribute two works composed by current dance majors. The result of this community collaboration is an afternoon and evening of inspirational performances.
Started in 2004 as an in-studio demonstration, YCS has grown into a full-length dance concert. Sugarloaf Ballet’s Artistic Director Lori Zamzow-Wire, has worked to build an organization that thrives on professionally inspiring young artists through excellence in performing arts education.
With this in mind, Zamzow-Wire created YCS to give young company members the opportunity to choreograph on their peers. “My parents encouraged my craft at an early age. They supported my passion for dance. I want to do the same for my dancers,” said Lori Zamzow-Wire.
Once a student is 13 years old, they receive the chance to submit a choreographic work to share in a concert setting. This unique opportunity teaches aspiring artists how to produce a work from start to finish, complete with discovering inspiration, securing rehearsal space, setting rehearsal schedules, creating costuming and identifying technical requirements.
The young artist then debuts their work on the Gwinnett Center stage with the support of a professional production team. During the shows Zamzow-Wire takes a moment allowing the young choreographers to share their inspiration with the audience members. Leah Nicoll, 3rd year YCS student choreographer says, “I participate in YCS because I love to see a vision that I had in my mind come to life on real people. My imagination becomes reality.” In essence, YCS gives the world a sneak preview of its artistic future.
In addition to the works of the young choreographers, Sugarloaf Ballet presents works from their current season’s repertoire. These works include solos, duets, trios and small & large group pieces choreographed by Sugarloaf Performing Arts faculty and resident choreographers.
YCS 2013 will be Sugarloaf Ballet’s third full-length production this season. General Admission tickets are $12 and available in advance in the lobby of Sugarloaf Performing Arts. Tickets will also be available at the door of the actual event. Sugarloaf Performing Arts is located at 1140 Old Peachtree Road, Ste. B, Duluth, GA 30097. For more information, please call 770-476-0025.
