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All of our innate and essential impulses are expressed through movement. From birth, we communicate with our bodies establishing physical movement as a medium of expression. Childhood is a time of optimal growth when structured movement enables us to develop confidence and joy as we experience our world. From childhood to young adulthood, the technique of classical ballet shapes the body into a sophisticated instrument. Whether you choose to pursue a professional career in dance, or desire only to sculpt body and soul, the art of classical ballet will transcend your being for the rest of your life. It is our privilege to share in the growth of those who come to Tacoma City Ballet. We wish to create an environment which will further artistic development and growth in the human spirit. It is our mission to instill in our dancers confidence in their physical being, a love for all arts and a sense of accomplishment that will last a lifetime.
Tacoma City Ballet endeavors to provide high quality, comprehensive classical ballet training for dancers in the Puget Sound. TCB is currently the only school in the Greater Pierce County area to provide a sole focus on classical ballet technique and choreography, allowing our dancers to take precedence in ballet. Miss Jan Collum originally founded the school in 1955 as The Jan Collum School of Classical Ballet. The methods of Danish, English, French, Italian and Russian schools are taught in a carefully graded syllabus. Contemporary techniques are also imparted to strengthen the body, encourage flexibility and correct anatomical problems. Performance skills are taught from a young age through creative class exercises and participation in the annual school performance. Young dancers are also given the opportunity to audition for children's roles in the ballets performed by Tacoma City Ballet Company.
As dancers advance technically and artistically, they may audition to become members of the performing company. Tacoma City Ballet Company members are presented with many professional performance opportunities. Each season, Tacoma City Ballet presents a full-length Nutcracker performed in the beautiful Pantages Theater accompanied by the Northwest Sinfonietta, and selected full-length classical as well as original works.
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Fifty five years ago, it was Miss Jan Collum's dream to create a classical ballet school and performing company in Tacoma. She believed that offering dancers, who had achieved a certain level of technique, artistry and professionalism, the opportunity to perform in a professional atmosphere was an integral facet of their preparation for a career as a professional ballet dancer.
The Jan Collum School of Classical Ballet was established in 1955 and along with the Concert Ballet Group of Tacoma, the performing company. The small company began with six dancers, but quickly grew boasting a membership of thirty or more. Several years later, Miss Jan created a not-for-profit corporation, gathered a board of directors and renamed the company BALLETACOMA. After a good thirty strong years, the company became plagued by deficit and the board of directors of BALLETACOMA decided to dissolve the corporation in 1995. Miss Jan and Miss Erin Ceragioli, the Co-Artistic Directors, refused to let the dream perish. Once again, a new not-for-profit corporation was created and a new board of directors was assembled. The company was christened Tacoma City Ballet, its third name in a forty-year history. Miss Jan Collum passed away in August of 2001, but if she were here today, she would be so proud of how her school and company have grown and continue to play such an essential role in Tacoma's renaissance.
Housed in the beautiful Merlino Art Center at 6th and Fawcett in Tacoma, Tacoma City Ballet is very proud of its recently remodeled facility. One of the studios, an enormous ballroom with high ceilings and beautifully arched Palladian windows, is one of the crown jewels of our city. Dancers study and rehearse in spacious, old-world elegance. The atmosphere, filled with light and beautiful music, is uplifting and truly inspirational.
Tacoma City Ballet perpetuates the long established traditions of classical ballet. All classes, pre-ballet through professional, have a requisite syllabus, live piano accompaniment, and require dancers to don uniformed attire. Erin Ceragioli, Artistic Director, embraces the traditional teaching philosophies of classical ballet, but insists that nurturing and developing the student's mind and spirit as well as their body are equally important.
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