Focus on Youth Ensemble and Individual Projects

Press Release, For Immediate Release
Contact:
Richard Graber, Executive Director
9664 Akins Road, Cleveland, OH. 44133
Tel: 440-668-6500
Fax: 440/237-0135
www.Csárdásdance.com

Csárdás Dance Company's New Direction - Focus on Youth Ensemble and Individual Projects

The ten year old ensemble headed by Founder and Co-Artistic Director, Richard Graber is changing course and focusing on the organization's youth ensemble. The decision comes amidst internal strategic planning initiatives by the Executive Board which has identified several reasons for the shift in mission - most importantly are the increased challenges regarding fundraising for professional dance companies.

The organization already has a very talented youth ensemble and Graber feels more time and energy needs to be invested in this important facet of the organization. The nine-member youth company consists of children ranging in age from eight to fifteen with unmatched enthusiasm. They have performed in many venues alongside the senior company of twelve dancers throughout the past six years. Graber hopes to build the program. "I haven't had the time to dedicate fully to the youth ensemble because of the time required for the adult company. I am eager to further develop the program, which will educate the next generation of dancers."

Graber utilizes ideas inspired by mentor Sandor Timar while studying in Budapest on several occasions. In a nutshell, the Timar teaching pedagogy deals with the concept of teaching youth their inherent dances much like a language - and that this "dance language" should be taught at an early age. Timar frequently draws comparisons to the work of Zolt? Kod?y and B?a Bart?, with the gathering of thousands of folk melodies from villages throughout the Carpathian Basin in order to preserve and teach future generations.

Far from Europe, most Csárdás youth ensemble members are second, third or later generation Hungarian, and some are not of Hungarian descent at all. Even so, Graber feels such a program helps foster the general appreciation of different cultures which is both educational and fun for children - a concept, he feels, which is lacking in today's society. Children from any ethnic background are welcome in the ensemble.

Parents of current members feel there are many wonderful and attractive aspects of the ensemble, some of which are learning about an exciting culture while developing coordination skills, meeting other children, developing self confidence and maturity and experiencing performing at an early age! Graber mentions, " Ethnic dance is a dance technique just like ballet or any other dance form; you have to learn the basic idioms before you can speak through the movement! Hungarian classes are a great way to start young children on the path of ethnic dance before they join the Youth Ensemble."

The school association Csárdás and the Movement Arts Center in Medina share enables children to pursue dance training in several dance disciplines, hence children with no experience can study ballet, tap, jazz or Hungarian which compliment their work in the Youth Ensemble. The Youth Ensemble will be performing at the upcoming International Children's Games (ICG) in July, since Csárdás is a collaborating organization through the efforts of Board President Toni Gras.

The Youth Ensemble will be accepting new members this coming fall and will have an orientation meeting for parents and children on Sunday, September 19, at 5 P.M. at the Movement Arts Center at 3609 Medina Road, Medina, 44256.

Alongside the youth program, Graber will continue to explore artistic endeavors including individual Csárdás dance projects, contemporary works and collaborations. He will continue Csárdás' in-school programs.

Csárdás Dance Company/Movement Arts Center is Ohio's and the region's only nonprofit professional dance organization presenting traditional and contemporary works stemming from Hungarian heritage. Founded by Richard Graber in 1994, the dance company has presented a repertoire that features a wide range of dance dialects and styles. The Company preserves the brilliant splendor of folk elements meshed with contemporary choreography creating a rich and exciting cultural experience. The nonprofit organization is the only dance company of its kind in the United States supporting itself through performance opportunities, children's programs and offering study in several dance disciplines at its school. The organization also serves as fiscal agent to other organizations.

For more information, please contact us at 440-668-6500 or visit us on the web: www.Csárdásdance.com


 

Csárdás Dance Company
P.O. Box 770641
Cleveland, OH 44107
Tel: 440-668-6500
info@csardasdance.com