Fidèle Youth Dance Company: Is It Right For Me?
Turning Pointe Dance is committed to providing excellence in dance and theater instruction while cultivating hearts of worship and nurturing creativity. Our mission is to fully develop artistic skills and talents in an atmosphere that is glorifying to God, and to encourage our students to use their gifts to bless others in our community and beyond. From first steps through graduation, no matter your goals, Turning Pointe has something for everyone – including the opportunity to gain pre-professional experience as a member of Fidèle Youth Dance Company.
Interested in production experience with a focus on shining the light of Christ? Read on to find out if FYDC is right for you or your dancer!
What is FYDC?
Fidèle Youth Dance Company, part of Turning Pointe Dance, is a Christian, student dance company. FYDC strives to impact our community for His kingdom through the arts, providing a healthy and Christ-centered training environment with the unique opportunity to be involved in a production and gain pre-professional experience.
What can I gain by joining the company?
Members of Fidèle (French for “faithful”) gain valuable experience in a pre-professional company setting that fosters both a love of Christ and a love of the arts. Students work with guest instructors to expand their vocabulary and skill sets in dance and acting, giving company members the tools and experience they need to continue dancing professionally, be it in a performance company, in the missions field, in college and beyond. Members also participate in the creation of original productions, providing the unique experience of learning to build a performance from the ground up.
What makes FYDC different from other performance companies/performing in the recital?
Each year, members of FYDC perform an original, full-length and faith-based production with the intention of spreading the gospel through the arts. In addition, Company members are assigned to prayer groups, encouraging friendships and spiritual bonds that transcend studio space. As a group, Fidèle participates in outreach and service projects each season that minister to our community and work through Bible studies that pertain to each annual production, taking the lessons learned in the classroom and translating them into the hands and feet of Christ, shining His light on the stage, to each other and in the world.
As part of company outreach, each year students perform pieces from their praise and worship repertoire at senior centers, homeless shelters, memory care facilities, rehabilitation centers, arts festivals and other events throughout Colorado Springs with the mission of using performance to shine the light of Christ to members of the community. After performing, company members serve each location by spending time visiting residents, serving meals, cleaning up and assisting with other duties, as assigned. In addition to performance, Fidèle has partnered with Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado and Springs Rescue Mission to help neighbors in need across the state.
To date, Fidèle has donated more than 1,000 pounds of food to Care and Share and built more than 1,500 care boxes for low-income seniors. Members of the company have also served the community through service days spent cleaning local parks and raising funds to end child poverty through Compassion International's Walk with Compassion. Last season, members of FYDC participated in CityServe, organized by COS I Love You, serving the community in city wide prayer events, and volunteering their time for trail clean up at Garden of the Gods park.
How old do I need to be to participate?
There are four levels of company participation within FYDC: Senior Company (dancers age 14 and older); Apprentice Company (dancers age 10-13); Junior Company (dancers age 8-9); and Acting Company (limited dance members of all ages). Tuition and additional requirements are based on your age/level within the company.
What are the requirements?
Because FYDC rehearsals do not include class time and focus instead on putting together the production, members of the company must abide by the following requirements in order to prepare for their roles and avoid injury. (Members do not need to fulfill these requirements at Turning Pointe; however, classes taken at other studios must be communicated to FYDC’s directorial team.)
Members of the FYDC Senior Company are required to take two or more ballet technique classes per week, plus at least one additional class in the style of their choice. Dancers en pointe are required to take at least one pointe class per week in addition to other Senior Company requirements.
Members of the FYDC Apprentice Company are required to take one or more ballet technique class per week, plus at least one additional class in the style of their choice.
Members of the FYDC Junior Company are required to take one or more dance technique class per week. Although ballet is preferred, the class may be in the style of their choice.
What is the time/financial commitment?
Weekly rehearsals take place each Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Turning Pointe. Each week will consist of a company warm-up, Bible study and production rehearsal. The season will run from Intensive Week, July 15-20, through our final performance the weekend of November 16.
Cast members need only attend during rehearsal times for numbers in which they've been cast, and rehearsals will be primarily be structured by company level. If your parts are not rehearsing, you do not need to be at the studio.
All company members are required to attend the Intensive Week and both theater rehearsals.
Tuition is based on age/placement within the company. Discounts are offered for students who pay the entire season’s tuition up front (by August 1), and for additional family members within the company. A complete list of tuition and fees is available at FideleYouthDanceCompany.com/Tuition.
What are the details of this season’s production?
This season FYDC will perform “Out of Egypt,” an original production based on the book of Exodus. “I have seen. I have heard. I will deliver.” In addition to bringing the powerful message of this scripture to Mitchell High School’s 850-seat theater, members of the 2019 Company will have the opportunity to experience the creation of this full-length production from start to finish.
Performances will be held the weekend of November 16.
Can I still join the 2019 Company?
Yes! The final round of auditions will be held Saturday, June 8. For audition times and more information, including the roles up for grabs, what to bring, what to wear and what to expect, visit FideleYouthDanceCompany.com/Auditions.
Want to learn more? Visit FideleYouthDanceCompany.com, or reach out to the directorial team directly at FideleYouthDanceCompany@gmail.com.