Ballet Idaho Youth Ensemble

Wendy de la Harpe and Lana Kroth, Co-artistic Directors

Ballet Idaho’s Youth Ensemble is a pre-professional performing group comprised of 37 exceptionally talented young dancers, who are selected every year by audition from Ballet Idaho’s Academy of Dance. The Youth Ensemble has its own artistic co-directors with oversight by Ballet Idaho’s Artistic Director, and is provided with diverse performing opportunities and education that prepare them for professional careers in ballet and choreography. The young dancers rehearse two hours weekly with additional rehearsals prior to performances, and are introduced to the fundamentals of advanced dance technique and individual mentoring, costuming, sets, stagecraft, rehearsal, the intricacies of how a ballet company works, injury prevention, nutrition, theatre etiquette, the history of dance and general performance professionalism. New choreography for several dances is created specifically for the Youth Ensemble which they perform in 28 performances at assemblies in at least 13 area schools, libraries, assisted living centers, choreography auditions and showcases, recitals and other special events throughout the year (including Ballet Holiday, Tea for Tutus and Choreography Showcase.) The Youth Ensemble is divided into two groups by age and ability - the Junior Ensemble with dancers ages 11-13 and the Senior Ensemble with dancers ages 14-18 who begin true professional training at this level. Most dancers in the Youth Ensemble have been dancing from seven to nine years. Every year six or more scholarships are given to low-income dancers in the Ensemble with exceptional promise. The program is linked to the Idaho State Humanities Standards in Dance. The Youth Ensemble will perform before an annual audience of approximately 8,000 during their 2008-2009 Season.

Senior Ensemble

Junior Ensemble