JUNIOR COMPANY

 

 

APPRENTICE

 

 

Company and Apprentices

Dancers ages 10 through 30 with ballet experience attend the Company or Apprentice audition class for casting in The Nutcracker, as well as placement in the Company. Company and Apprentice dancers are required to maintain participation in ballet classes and must attend the Company class prior to rehearsals on Saturday afternoons. Company dancers are required to complete service hours to benefit the Company. Apprentice dancers are encouraged to give volunteer hours back to the Company. All Company members are expected to participate in Champaign Urbana Ballet’s spring production, and Apprentices are expected to participate in the spring production if roles are available.

 

Trainees

Children ages 8+ are eligible for nomination into the Trainee program. The nomination is at the discretion of the Artistic Director. The Trainee program is a preparatory step into the Apprentice program and consists of a 45-minute Saturday workshop during the winter and spring months. Trainees successfully completing the program are eligible for participation in Champaign Urbana Ballet’s Student Production.

 

Bonnie Ziegler Award

 

The Bonnie Ziegler award, established in 2007, is presented to a dancer in recognition of outstanding leadership, commitment to excellence, and helpful and positive attitude. Recipients include:

 

Elizabeth Seong, 2025 ~ Oscar Lewis, 2024 ~ Elijah Ochs, 2023
Farah Willenbrock, 2022 ~ Hanna Laible-Seif, 2021 ~ Isaac Lee, 2019
Irina Cheng, 2018 ~ Angie Song, 2017 ~ Nick Hittle, 2015
Maeva O'Brien, 2013 ~ Erica Johnston, 2010 ~ Olivia Cangellaris, 2007

 

Alumni