The Cleveland Ballet Conservatory

At the Cleveland Ballet Conservatory, owner and artistic director Kerry Skuderin believes that to achieve career success, students must adhere to a professional ballet curriculum—but there’s room for everyone. Find out why any child, from preschool to professional, can enjoy the benefits of ballet.

By: Beth Newcomb
Date: 08/20/2008
If your child develops aspirations to become a professional dancer, getting training at the right school can mean the difference between achieving those dreams—or not.

The Cleveland Ballet Conservatory (CBC) is celebrating five years of teaching young students and aspiring professionals proper ballet technique. “We focus on teaching traditional ballet techniques incorporating the Vagonova, Bournonville and Balanchine methods of training,” explains owner Kerry Skuderin. “Our approach is to provide training in a holistic and kinesthetic way. With careful attention to detail, we teach proper alignment—without forcing young bodies to accomplish something their bodies are not yet ready for. Little by little, they will develop naturally.”

An important first step in choosing a dance school for your little one is to understand two factors—how much training do the teachers have and what is the focus of the school?

Instructors at CBC, trained by world renowned teachers, are degreed in dance, each with their own specialty. Kerry’s concentration on teaching and choreography had her teaching in respected schools and companies throughout the eastern United States. Kerry’s students have been recognized with their own college dance scholarships and accepted in the best ballet schools in the country. She herself has performed leading ballet roles professionally with the Lake Erie Ballet Company, Ballet Concerto and Erie Ballet Theater, with her original works of choreography garnering her much acclaim.

With CBC’s state-of-the-art floating dance floor, (designed to prevent injuries) in both ceiling-to-floor-mirrored large studios lined with ballet barres, it’s apparent that classical ballet is the focus. Dance-degreed instructor Erin McAdams brings her intensive training with masters of jazz, tap and modern dance to add her expertise to these offered classes. Pilates is also available, with moms often joining in while their child is dancing in the studio next door.

“Dance is discipline,” Kerry expresses. “Our faculty understands how to instruct children to properly execute ballet technique in a fun and nurturing way. Our goal is to develop poised, self-confident, focused students who also acquire a love and appreciation of dance, regardless if it ends up being their chosen career.”

CBC instructors work with children as young as two-years-old. In Mommy & Me class, toddlers are inspired through music to bring out their natural desire to move. TipToes and Tutu & MakeBelieve classes introduce the two and three year old to ballet basics using magical props like wands and tutus. The ballet curriculum including: flexibility, musicality and alignment continues for elementary aged students. This is where the journey of formal ballet training truly begins.

As a love of ballet develops, students progress to General Division classes once or twice a week. Barre, center work, stretch and strengthening are an imperative part of class for the aspiring dancer. Dedicated and determined students are placed by audition into CBC’s Progressive Division where, attending multiple ballet classes weekly, they’re carefully molded and trained. Dancers in the Progressive Division have the opportunity to audition for CBC’s own affiliate youth ballet company.

“Our Pro-Track division is for students with professional aspirations. They are serious-minded and dedicated,” Kerry emphasizes. “It’s a rigorous six-day-a-week program and it pushes students to achieve their fullest potential.”

At CBC, all students follow in the classical tradition of ballet and wear a “dance uniform.” Students, grouped by both age and technical skill level, wear a specified leotard color, and all girls wear their hair in a bun. And there’s a reason. “It makes it easier for us to see and correct alignment,” Kerry shares.

All CBC students participate in its own annual “Nutcracker Suite” and in its Annual Spring Dance Concert. Additionally, many of Kerry’s aspiring dancers have performed in the Cincinnati and San Jose Ballets’ Nutcracker Ballet at Playhouse Square.

“This is where you can come to train for a career,” she says. “But there is room for the recreational dancer, too. We’re here to inspire all who want to experience the art of dance, with our greatest goal being, that they end up loving it.”

The Cleveland Ballet Conservatory offers year-round programs, in addition to an eight-week summer program and welcomes students of any age and skill level. Class schedules may be obtained by calling 440-230-0751, visiting the website at www.CBCBallet.com, or stopping by. An information pocket is located on the door outside. The address is 5358 Royalwood Road in North Royalton, just east of the State Road intersection.

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