Spring Concert Overview
The annual spring concert is a performing opportunity open to dancers in Pre-Ballet, Levels 1-2, and Creative Dance 3-4 who maintain consistent attendance in their weekly classes. Dancers in levels 3-5 may perform in the concert as members of the Youth Ballet Ensemble.
Spring Concert Registration
Each annual spring concert provides a window into dancers' progression as they develop skills and artistry from Pre-Ballet and Creative Dance 3 at age 6 through upper-level Ensemble and beyond. Essential to their dance education, student performers are immersed in the rehearsal environment and production elements of a cohesive theatrical dance performance.
To keep this performance opportunity available to as many students as possible, UIYB aims to keep concert enrollment costs low. For this reason, tickets to attend the performance are not covered by the spring concert fee. Upon registering, participating families choose to 1) volunteer an adult's time backstage or 2) help fund a university student worker during production week. You can help us continue to offer this performance opportunity at a low cost by:
- Telling your friends and family about the Spring Concert
- Purchasing tickets through Hancher's Box Office
- Contributing to the Annual Youth Costume Fund
- Enrolling in UI Youth Ballet and Community Dance School classes
Sign-up for the Spring Concert opens at the beginning of the spring semester each year.
Auditions
Students who wish to participate in the spring concert attend an audition early in the spring semester. Audition day includes a choreography session with a teacher and costume measurements. Spring concert enrollment must be completed on or before audition day.
Rehearsals
At the UI Youth Ballet, all rehearsals are separate from technique classes. Keeping performance activities separate allows us to focus on providing the highest level of technical instruction during class time. Weekly rehearsals are scheduled directly following class time.
Class Attendance Policy
UI Youth Ballet holds performing students to high expectations for weekly class attendance. For participation in UI Youth Ballet and Community Dance School Spring Concert, students must be in regular, long-term attendance at their level's required number of weekly technique classes through the UI Youth Ballet.
| Level | Minimum Required Weekly Classes for Performance Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Creative Dance 3 | 1 |
| Creative Dance 4 | 1 |
| Pre-Ballet | 1 |
| Level 1A | 1 |
| Level 1B | 1 |
| Level 2A | 2 |
| Level 2B | 2 |
Students who take a creative dance class and ballet concurrently may perform with both groups.
If unforeseen circumstances prevent a student from keeping a class, rehearsal, or performance commitment, contact Dnc-CommunityDance@uiowa.edu immediately.
Family Volunteers
Family volunteers are critical to the success of a safe and rewarding concert. One adult from each family assists students during select dress rehearsals and performances or helps with pre-concert tasks. Volunteers may be asked to assist with costume construction, decoration, cleaning, and transportation.
Family volunteers attend an informative meeting and then watch their dancers in Dress Rehearsal 1 from the audience. When registering for the concert, volunteers select ways and times to help.
Families who prefer the convenience of not volunteering may instead opt to help by financing the hire of a university student worker.
Costumes
Costumes for the concert are provided by the program. Dancers are responsible for taking care of the costumes while wearing them. The cost of costume use and cleaning is covered by concert enrollment fees and community contributions to the youth costume budget.
Dance undergarments, tights, shoes are supplied by performers’ families. Required color and style are specified by staff each year.
Hair and Makeup
Medium and long hair should be styled in a bun for performance unless otherwise specified. To help dancers with varied hair textures make a stage-worthy ballet bun, please watch this video from Houston Ballet Academy: Houston Ballet Academy Ballet Bun Tutorial.
Hair styling supplies are supplied by performers' families.
Blush and lipstick are provided by UIYB for performers in Creative Dance 3-4 and Pre-Ballet—Level 2B.