Elite Conservatory
● Coastal Dance Centre’s Elite Conservatory Program, Junior Conservatory Program, and the Junior Apprentice Conservatory (formerly CDC’s pre-professional program) are intended for the more serious, driven, and dedicated ballet students who are wishing to pursue a professional dance career or a university program in the future or simply wishing to gain a solid classical ballet/dance training and performance experience and be at their personal best in anticipation of/in preparation for a college/university program.
● The Coastal Dance Centre’s Elite Conservatory Program, Junior Conservatory, and Junior Apprentice Conservatory Program are not for everyone. Why? Because it requires the highest level of commitment. The program prepares students for rigorous full-time training, which takes place over five to six days a week. As well, they are provided with professional standard stage performance experiences, master classes with guest teachers, choreographic opportunities, life skill lessons, and more. The training is based on the principles of providing students with the technical, physical, and emotional tools to support progress and attainment of success.
● Attendance in the Summer School is mandatory. Students in this program attend year-round, from August to July. Each level has a specific class and attendance requirements. In addition to ballet technique, pointe, variations, and repertoire, the student must study Contemporary/Lyrical, Jazz, Acro, Tap, and Musical Theater. In their daily dance classes, students are encouraged to realize their personal best by taking instruction constructively, exceeding perceived limitations, and celebrating individual achievements. Students should expect to receive frequent verbal and physical direction in front of their peers, as all students benefit from being attentive to information given to classmates. The progression from level to level is not comparable to that of the academic school. Since physical development varies greatly from individual to individual, it is not unusual for students to study and be in one ballet level for two academic school years.
● Included in the Elite, Junior, and Junior Apprentice Conservatory Program Curriculum are the following:
Ensemble Repertoire
● Repertoire classes are included for Elite and Junior Conservatory Program students. The focus is
on learning the skills required to work in an ensemble. These classes provide a tremendously
valuable experience for these students as they practice and prepare classical and contemporary
ensemble repertoire.
Variations
● Variations classes focus on the study of solo repertoire from classical ballets. The study of
variations is an effective means of linking the vocabulary taught in daily ballet classes to its
application in performance. This class provides tremendous valuable experience for students as
they practice and prepare a professional-level solo variation. Part of this experience includes the
all-important balancing of excitement and anxiety that accompanies any performance. Students
work with ballet teachers in selecting and preparing a variation solo from classical ballet
repertoire. Variations are studied on a seminar basis.
Character Dance
● Students also learn character dance, the stage version of national dances, which further
enhances the students’ vocabulary of movement qualities and styles. The dances studied by
students provide an opportunity to learn classical ballet’s roots and develop the skills necessary
for working with partners and in large groups. Character dances are studied on a seminar basis.
Flamenco Workshop
• Select company members will receive instruction in flamenco classes during the summer session.
Parents and students are expected to have the required flamenco shoes for classes, rehearsals, and
performances.
Theatrical Makeup Classes
● During the school year and during the summer session, company members will receive instruction
in theatrical makeup application on a seminar basis. Parents / Students are expected to have the
required supplies for makeup classes and performances.
Master Classes and Intensives with Guest Teachers and Choreographers
● Elite Conservatory Program students are introduced and could work with distinguished international master teachers during master classes and summer intensives of the school. They also get to learn new repertoire and become part of ensemble choreographies created by the resident faculty and guest choreographers. Performing Company Membership under Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre.
● A component of the CDC Elite Conservatory Program and Junior Conservatory Program is the performing company experience. Students in the Elite Conservatory and Junior Conservatory Programs automatically become members of the school’s performing company which is the Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre (CYBT).
● CYBT was established in 2006 by CDC Artistic Director, Liza Mata. CYBT provides an invaluable opportunity for students in CDC’s Conservatory Program to experience performing in professionally staged productions of full-length classical ballets such as The Nutcracker,
Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Cinderella, as well as learning new works created for them by CDC
faculty and guest choreographers.
Competition Opportunities
Elite Conservatory, Junior Conservatory and Junior Apprentice Conservatory Program students are
afforded the opportunity to participate either as an ensemble participant in elite competitions such as the
prestigious Youth America Grand Prix competition, the World Ballet Competition, the California Classics and a few
more.
As a requirement, the student must have a sufficient level of classical ballet training, facility and potential.
The student must have the type of body that can respond to demanding study, must be able to concentrate for
long periods of time, and be able to accept and welcome constructive comments and corrections.
Coastal Dance Centre students have gained success in elite ballet competitions by producing winners,
finalists and scholarship recipients in competitions such as at the Youth America Grand Prix, World Ballet
Competition, American Ballet Competition, the RAD Dance Challenge and the Helsinki International Ballet
Competition.
If you are interested to apply for the Elite Conservatory Program, Junior Conservatory, and Junior Apprentice Conservatory Program, please contact CDC staff member, Ms. Peggy Pitoscia, at (843)839-5678, to request an interview and to schedule an audition class.
The Elite Conservatory, Junior Conservatory, Junior Apprentice Conservatory and
CYBT Performing Company Program is not right for the dancer if:
He/She is not ready or willing to devote a significant amount of time and effort to the program.
That means doing their best to make it to all the required classes, showing up at performing
company rehearsals, ensemble work, competitions, and participating in the program in a
meaningful way; He/She is catty, has an attitude, non-collaborative, or he/she is the chronically shy type or
spends so much time on the phone and social media during studio time and is not being
“present”.
The Conservatory / CYBT Performing Company Program is the highest caliber of expert coaching,
hands-on mentorship, personalized accountability, and continuous support for our elite group of dancers.
And as you might imagine, a program this transformative and comprehensive is not going to fit
everyone’s budget. We do offer monthly payment options and discounts if you pay for your full year in
advance. But to be perfectly honest, if price is your first question — there’s a good chance the
Conservatory / CYBT Performing Company Program is not the best fit for you.
Once the student is accepted, the fees will be discussed with you.
Parents with children who may be interested to apply to the Elite Conservatory or Junior
Conservatory Program must contact Ms. Peggy Pitoscia at the Front Office or call (843) 839-8006
or (843) 839-5678 to schedule an interview and an audition.
New students are required to go through an audition and level placement to determine their
suitability for the program and the appropriate level.