ContempraDance Youth Ensemble began in the summer of 2003.
They made their first public debut at a fundraiser for ContempraDance
Theatre, a professional dance company, in November 2003. After
only a few weeks of practice they were able to perform at an
impressive level.. A month later, they performed at their first
professional show at the Painted Bride Art Center. The Youth
Ensemble portrayed a variety of characters in ContempraDance
Theatre's holiday production, "The-Philly-Nutt-Crak-Up."
They were an immediate success.
The Company's second major performance was the premiere of
ContempraDance Theatre's colorful and exciting "Cirque
Tanza." This spring performance was also at the
Painted Bride Art Center in Philadelphia.
In December 2004 the ContempraDance Youth Ensemble performed
with ContempraDance Theatre in the premiere of "Twas
the Nite the SugaPlum Crak-ed." This piece was ContempraDance
Theatre's latest holiday spoof, featuring characters such as
the Grincher and his Goons, a Rappin' SugaPlum Fairy, a Hip
Hoppin' Santa, and featuring our Youth Ensemble as the "PJ
Girls," the "Grinchettes," "Lil' Boppin'
Reindeer," and the "Lil' Plum Fairies."
In April 2005 the Ensemble performed the premiere of "Buggin'
Out." This piece was performed at the First Annual
Youth Regional Dance Festival at the Painted Bride in April
2005. This piece displayed the diversity of various dance styles
that the Youth Ensemble performs, meshing modern, ballet, jazz
and hip-hop, creating an upbeat and dramatic performance. The
Youth Regional Dance Festival featured ContempraDance Youth
Ensemble as well as other youth performance groups from a variety
of other dance studios. The festival is sponsored by ContempraDance
Theatre. The Youth Ensemble also performs at various schools,
community centers and nursing homes.
