Teacher Spotlight: Miriam-Rose LeDuc

We sat down with Miriam-Rose to talk about her philosophy on teaching, life and artistry. Please enjoy our interview with Miriam-Rose!

CRB: "Tell us a little bit about your teaching background."

Miriam: "For the past four years, I have been on faculty at The Joffrey Academy of Dance.  I have given master classes and taught throughout the Midwest at the Jacobs School of Music, the Beverly Arts Center, and The Academy for the Arts in Spring Arbor, Michigan, among others."

CRB: "In your words, what would you say is your teaching philosophy/approach?"

Miriam: "As a teacher, my aim is not only to train my students to be the very best dancers or musicians they can be, but also to equip them with the skills and values necessary to become the best possible versions of themselves.  I love the arts of both ballet and violin for many reasons; one of which is that in order to do them well, one must develop perseverance, discipline, passion, humility, creativity, and patience, among other qualities.  These qualities are valuable not only in the arts, but in any person’s life, and I aspire to enhance and shape the lives of my students."

CRB: "What do you personally enjoy about teaching?

Miriam: "I love being able to pass on the tools and technique required to execute an artform well.  When you see a student who really wants to succeed, who puts in the work, and is able to see their improvement in class, onstage, through an audition, etc., it is so rewarding!"

CRB: "What do you think is unique about CRB's Summer Intensive program?"

Miriam: "CRB is unique in its versatility.  Not only do we dance and perform a myriad of styles, but each of the teachers at this intensive have diverse backgrounds and so much to offer from our variety of artistic experiences.  You won't want to miss it!"

CRB: "Tell us something fun about YOU!"

Miriam: "As I implied above, I also play the violin!  I started when I was six years old with the Suzuki violin method, and am still performing, teaching, and writing my own music today."

Don't miss your chance to study with Miriam and the rest of our wonderful faculty in CRB's 2018 Summer Intensive. There are still spots available. Find out more below!

Phew! What a Spring!!

Spring was filled with beautiful performances at Chicago Repertory Ballet.

This April we premiered Modern Motions at the Atheneum Theater. The production opened with a headline grabbing review: "Ambitious Chicago Repertory Ballet shows who they want to be."

In May we brought a few of these beautiful works to Evanston's Studio5 performing Arts Center. Enjoy some photos from these performances below. Don't forget you can follow our Instagram @Chicagorepertoryballet to see the latest photos and videos from CRB! 

Trees, Melody

Ms. Jacqueline Stewart with the company in Shannon Alvis' gorgeous work "Tress, Melody".

Photo: Thopher Alexander

Grand Pianola Music

Ms. Miriam-Rose LeDuc in Artistic Director Wade Schaaf's "Grand Pianola Music: On the Dominant Divide". 

Photo: Topher Alexander

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SUMMER IS COMING: 

CRB'S Summer Intensive is coming August 6 - 10 and will be packed with some of the most exciting classes and opportunities to study with the amazing artists of Chicago Repertory Ballet. Study in the heart of downtown Chicago in this fun and invigorating intensive. Don't wait, send your audition today!

Chicago Repertory Ballet is a user supported organization. Support from patrons such as your self creates dance that continues to defy labels.

2018 Season

Grand Pianola Music: On The Dominant Divide

Choreography: Wade Schaaf

Lighting Design: Sarah Lackner

Costume Design: Nathan Rohrer

World Premiere: April 6th 2018, The Athenaeum Theatre (Chicago IL)

A contemporary ballet work to the composition of the same name, this work is a thrilling dance to encounter full of classical line and contemporary movement style.

2018 Season

Trees, Melody

Choreography: Shannon Alvis

Lighting Design: Sarah Lackner

Costume Design: Wade Schaaf

World Premiere: April 6th 2018, The Athenaeum Theatre (Chicago, IL)

Trees, Melody is a beautiful and intense contemporary dance work for 7 dancers. With movements like trees mingling together in the wind Trees, Melody is a perfect marriage to its luscious contemporary score.

2018 Season

All The Things You Are

Choreography: Tenley Dickey

Lighting Design: Sarah Lackner

Costume Design: Tenley Dickey

World Premiere: April 6th 2018, The Athenaeum Theatre (Chicago IL)

All The Things You Are is a heartwarming contemporary dance incorporating music from the 40’s and 50’s. Culminating in a heartfelt final section for 9 dancers.

2018 Season

Closing

Choreography: Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye

Lighting Design: Dustin l. Derry

Costume Design: Nathan Rohrer

World Premiere: April 6th 2018, The Athenaeum Theatre (Chicago IL)

Closing is a luscious contemporary ballet with a silky movement vocabulary accentuating partnerships and partnered music to a contemporary score.

Dancer Spotlight: Luis Vazquez

Q&A with Luis Vazquez 

CRB: What's been the most challenging/rewarding part of this season?

Luis Vazquez: The most rewarding experience for me this season, is being presented with both the challenge and opportunity to reinvent my dancing with each new choreographer and piece. All of the pieces in this show are so different, that it pushes me to not only use my technique and facility in different ways, but to also jump into a different world with each work. It's been challenging but I feel that my dancing as much more depth and nuance because of this process.

CRB: Why CRB?

Luis Vazquez:What makes CRB special is seeing so many different voices and experiences collide onstage. Both the choreographers and dancers all come from such different backgrounds, and it's exciting to see what happens when those influences come together in the studio and on the stage.  

Dancer Spotlight: Christine Janák

Q&A with Christine Janák 

CRB: What's been the most exciting new work from this season?

Christine Janák : I really enjoy dancing in the new ballet Wade has created for this show. It's like a whirlwind. This piece has the full company cast in it and I think it's going to be really powerful to have so many dancers onstage. The solos really twinkle like skittering sparks, so in the crescendo of this piece I'm hoping for visual fireworks.

CRB: What's been the most challenging/fun part of the rehearsal processes?

Christine Janák : When the choreography feels good in your body you dance it differently. I feel I dance at my best with Wade's style, the movements flow one into the next without being predictable. Getting to work in this style of movement is not only rewarding but also quite fun. 

CRB: Why CRB?

Christine Janák : Art is vital to society, and good art can do incredible things. Supporting the arts makes you a part of the community of art makers, and what CRB does is incredible. In a few short weeks of rehearsal CRB has put together a stunning showcase of 4 new to the world feats of grace and athleticism and a 5th revival piece of powerful inspection on the human condition. Subtle stories told through gesture and flying leaps, whirlwinds and playful banter. Modern Motions fills the spectrum of emotions. The audience is in for an exciting ride.

Dancer Spotlight: John Cartwright

Q&A with John Cartwright

CRB: What should someone expect from this show?

John Cartwright: Diversity of dance styles, beautiful music, and extraordinary dancing!

CRB: What's been the most challenging/fun part of the rehearsal processes?

John Cartwright: Tenley Dickey’s piece because the movement is so different and specific. She definitely has a unique movement style that is both quirky and beautiful.

CRB: Personally, what's been the most rewarding part of this process?

John Cartwright: The most rewarding experience has been working with so many amazing talented dancers. Everyone is so committed to their art and the amount of professionalism in the studio is outstanding. I’m truly grateful and inspired each day.

Dancer Spotlight: Eliza Weekley

Q&A with Eliza Weekley!

CRB: What's been the most challenging/fun part of the rehearsal processes?

Eliza Weekley: They're all so different and challenging it's hard to choose. But if I had to pick just one, I would go with Tenley Dickey's piece. Her choreography is just so quick and nuanced but also very musical so it is hard to pick up and make look good but once you start to get into the groove of it, it is very rewarding and fun to dance!

CRB: Personally, what's been the most rewarding part of this process?

Eliza Weekley: Getting to work with, and dance alongside, all of these wonderful dancers & choreographers. I know this sounds very Cliché, but it's true. This is my first time dancing with CRB and I was a little caught off guard by how friendly and welcoming everyone was.

CRB: Why should someone see and support CRB?

Eliza Weekley: We're different. It's not everyday that you get to see dancers do pirouettes in pointe shoes and then watch them proceed to roll around on the ground in the exact same piece.