The Cultural Center for the Arts is filled with great entertainment for the art-hungry county, but it’s also a training ground for some of the most talented dancers in Northeast Ohio – dancers that will go on to startlingly promising careers through their dedication, drive and diligence in dance.
Founded in 1965, the Canton Ballet has a long history of training young people to achieve their artistic dreams. Canton Ballet is a non-profit organization committed to fostering an appreciation for the art of dance within the Canton community. The school is dedicated to providing the highest quality of artistic instruction for all age and skill levels, and offering a pre-professional company with performances for serious, career-oriented and talented students.
Under the direction of artistic and executive director, Cassandra Crowley, the school of the Canton Ballet is known as one of the finest pre-professional dance schools in the United States. Crowley places strong emphasis on staff development and her guidance assures the highest caliber of training for future professional dancers as well as for those who simply love the art of dance.
While the arts explode throughout Canton/Stark County, Crowley feels that their attendance has been steady.
“We’re no longer struggling by ourselves – there’s a great deal of support for the arts and many arts organizations in our community. We’ve felt the support,” said Crowley.
Canton Ballet has 325 students enrolled, beginning with the “Mommy or Daddy and Me” toddler classes through teen and adult classes. Once a student reaches a particular place in their training and their skill, they may audition to join the performing group – comprised of students who practice up to six days and about 20 hours per week in classes and rehearsals. Depending on skill and individual student growth, students typically study for five to eight years before becoming a member of the performing company.
The company has launched the careers of many talented dancers; alumni have gone on to dance or direct in respected companies around the country, including New York City Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Ohio Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Omaha, Duluth Ballet, Day ton Conte mp o ra ry Dance Company II, the London stage productions of Fame and Cats and other national and international touring companies of Broadway shows. An honor comp a ny member of Regional Dance America since 1984, Canton Ballet under her direction has been selected to perform in 21 Gala programs over the last 24 years. One dancer, local celebrity Ashley Spencer, is currently starring in her second Broadway production as Sandy in Grease, after appearing in Hairspray!
“We seem to be a rather well-kept secret,” said Crowley. “When we do something recognizable, something with a story attached to it, like The Nutcracker, people come to the performances, but our dancers LOVE to perform new works that offer a variety of dances. We need to get the word out about some of the more eclectic performances so that more people can experience our talented company!”
Crowley and her staff work to constantly revolutionize the company, adding new and exciting performances to the repertoire and brining in various choreographers in order to keep performances fresh and enticing. One such choreographer is Saeko Ichinohe, who runs a dance group in New York. Crowley says her dancers are excited for the transformation into intricate Japanese dancers for their performance of Whispering Winds this April. The performance celebrates the KIMONO exhibit and will give the audience a taste of the heroic samurai, the beautiful cherry blossoms and the thrill of combining classical ballet with modern movement.
Crowley joined Canton Ballet in 1980 from her position at the Lexington ballet in Kentucky, where she was ballet mistress. She’s been the Canton Ballet’s artistic director for 28 years, and just this year added executive director to her position. As artistic director, Crowley oversees all dancer training, performance selection, and the preparation of all performers, musicians, choreographers, sets, costumes and lighting. In short, she’s responsible for all creative decisions and management for the school and company. As executive director, she dedicates her time to budgeting, grants and fundraising for the company, including the Canton Ballet’s 2nd annual raffle to underwrite live music in the classrooms, with a Disney vacation grand prize!
Crowley began her dance career with Jan Collum and BalletTacoma in Washington State. She perfo rmed professionally in England, France and Slovenia, as well as in the United States and received a master’s degree in dance from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.
For more information about the company or the school, visit www.cantonballet.com.
Look for our upcoming LOOKING INSIDE pieces, as we explore all of the fantastic organizations of the Cultural Center for the Arts in future issues of Downtown Developments!
