Ventura County Ballet Company hosts "A Day at the Ballet" for Ventura County Foster Children
Tina Vervoorn
September 25, 2010
(Ventura, Calif.) – As part of "A Day at the Ballet", children who are a part of foster or kinship care in Ventura County were in for a fun filled afternoon. The Ballet Academy Ventura Studios, home of the Ventura County Ballet Company, hosted the day which included dance lessons, costumes, cookie decorating and crafts.
After their dance lesson taught by Ballet Academy students, the children participated in a special Nutcracker performance with ballerina Rachel Arnold as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Dedria Brunett, Miss Teen California International 2010, made a very special guest appearance to the studios while joining in with the crafts. Complete with face painting, a goody bag and mementos finished out this magical day at the ballet.
The Ventura County Ballet Company hosted this special event through a grant from Marion Witte´s Angel Heart Foundation. The grant will enable groups of girls and boys between the ages of 5 to 10 in foster or kinship care to experience the art of ballet and dance.
"Our first Day at the Ballet was such a success! One of my greatest joys is seeing a child´s eyes light up while learning to dance," said Lisa Ortiz, Ventura County Ballet Company volunteer. "I think the children felt a real princess visited them when they met Miss Teen California International 2010. She enjoyed all the "stickers" they crowned her with."
Miss Teen California International 2010, Dedria Brunett said: "Each of the children was so cute and full of life. I really like how they decorated my crown and requested that I leave it that way forever because it looked much better than the plain way it was!" Ms. Brunett will be performing in the Ventura County Ballet Company´s annual Christmas classic, The Nutcracker, on Nov. 20th and 21st at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center.
About the Ventura County Ballet Company and Ballet Academy Ventura
Celebrating its 18th year, the Ventura County Ballet Company presents two large scale productions each year. The productions feature professional dancers as well as VCBC pre-professionals, students from Ballet Academy Ventura, the official school of the VCBC. Information: www.balletacademyventura.com.
Kathleen Noblin, a recipient of the City of Ventura 2008 Mayor´s Arts Award, founded Ballet Academy Ventura, as the official in-residence school of the Ventura County Ballet Company in 1992. She has served as executive director of the company since its inception. Students are taught creative movement as early as 2 to 3½ years and pre-ballet to the age of six. A complete and graduated ballet program, beginning through pre-professional, including adults is taught. Other classes include modern dance, flamenco, and jazz.
The Ventura County Ballet Company´s next production will be the Holiday Classic, The Nutcracker on Nov. 20th and 21st at Oxnard Performing Arts Center. www.venturacountyballet.com.
About Angel Heart Foundation
Every day the lives of millions of boys and girls are changed forever by the devastation of abuse, neglect and exploitation. It is our intention to raise the level of consciousness about the state of affairs of children in the world, through awareness and involvement, youth empowerment and family strengthening.
We operate as a gateway organization, gathering and providing information about the resources and tools that are available to anyone who wants to "Become an Ordinary Hero" as we work to create a safe and just world for all children.
About Dedria Brunett and The Luggage of Love
Dedria Brunett, Miss Teen California International 2010 started the nonprofit "Luggage of Love" in June of 2008. The organization raises funds to provide children living in foster and shelter care with a new unused piece of luggage to carry their belongings in. To date Luggage of Love has raised over $10,000 and has placed over 800 pieces of luggage within the state of California. http://missteencaliforniaintl2010.blogspot.com/
Miss Teen California International is a part of the International Pageant System that is based upon young ladies becoming positive role models within their communities.
After their dance lesson taught by Ballet Academy students, the children participated in a special Nutcracker performance with ballerina Rachel Arnold as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Dedria Brunett, Miss Teen California International 2010, made a very special guest appearance to the studios while joining in with the crafts. Complete with face painting, a goody bag and mementos finished out this magical day at the ballet.
The Ventura County Ballet Company hosted this special event through a grant from Marion Witte´s Angel Heart Foundation. The grant will enable groups of girls and boys between the ages of 5 to 10 in foster or kinship care to experience the art of ballet and dance.
"Our first Day at the Ballet was such a success! One of my greatest joys is seeing a child´s eyes light up while learning to dance," said Lisa Ortiz, Ventura County Ballet Company volunteer. "I think the children felt a real princess visited them when they met Miss Teen California International 2010. She enjoyed all the "stickers" they crowned her with."
Miss Teen California International 2010, Dedria Brunett said: "Each of the children was so cute and full of life. I really like how they decorated my crown and requested that I leave it that way forever because it looked much better than the plain way it was!" Ms. Brunett will be performing in the Ventura County Ballet Company´s annual Christmas classic, The Nutcracker, on Nov. 20th and 21st at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center.
About the Ventura County Ballet Company and Ballet Academy Ventura
Celebrating its 18th year, the Ventura County Ballet Company presents two large scale productions each year. The productions feature professional dancers as well as VCBC pre-professionals, students from Ballet Academy Ventura, the official school of the VCBC. Information: www.balletacademyventura.com.
Kathleen Noblin, a recipient of the City of Ventura 2008 Mayor´s Arts Award, founded Ballet Academy Ventura, as the official in-residence school of the Ventura County Ballet Company in 1992. She has served as executive director of the company since its inception. Students are taught creative movement as early as 2 to 3½ years and pre-ballet to the age of six. A complete and graduated ballet program, beginning through pre-professional, including adults is taught. Other classes include modern dance, flamenco, and jazz.
The Ventura County Ballet Company´s next production will be the Holiday Classic, The Nutcracker on Nov. 20th and 21st at Oxnard Performing Arts Center. www.venturacountyballet.com.
About Angel Heart Foundation
Every day the lives of millions of boys and girls are changed forever by the devastation of abuse, neglect and exploitation. It is our intention to raise the level of consciousness about the state of affairs of children in the world, through awareness and involvement, youth empowerment and family strengthening.
We operate as a gateway organization, gathering and providing information about the resources and tools that are available to anyone who wants to "Become an Ordinary Hero" as we work to create a safe and just world for all children.
About Dedria Brunett and The Luggage of Love
Dedria Brunett, Miss Teen California International 2010 started the nonprofit "Luggage of Love" in June of 2008. The organization raises funds to provide children living in foster and shelter care with a new unused piece of luggage to carry their belongings in. To date Luggage of Love has raised over $10,000 and has placed over 800 pieces of luggage within the state of California. http://missteencaliforniaintl2010.blogspot.com/
Miss Teen California International is a part of the International Pageant System that is based upon young ladies becoming positive role models within their communities.
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