CCP Dance School Summer Dance Workshop

It's happening again!!! The CCP Summer Dance Workshop has begun immediately after Holy Week. This is the umpteeenth workshop started by what was formerly known as the the Cultural Center of the Philippines Dance Workshop that eventually evolved into the CCP Dance Company. It then changed its name to Ballet Philippines in the eighties but the dance school which trains young kids to become professional dance artists has retained its name: the CCP Dance School.

Since its inception, the school has produced world-class dance artists who have eventually moved on to pursue careers overseas. And most of them have branched out into other careers after retiring from performing. Yes, a dancer's career is short but sweet. So after  retiring, eventually they become dance educators, choreographers, production people... and some... even become stage mothers! 

This year, the dance recital comes in the heels of the Rudolf Nureyev International Dance Competitions in Budapest. Our contestants, JM Cordero and Jemimah Reyes have placed admirably well in the competitions gaining citations with the coaching of CCPDS School Director Victor Ursabia. So expect a great workshop and culminating activity n the dance recitals. God knows how many recitals I've performed in during my time.

So this year, the dance workshop participants will perform in Coppelia. The entire show will be re-staged by  an alumnus of the workshops: Verna Fajilan. The recital will closely follow the original libretto of the ballet with the score from Delibes.

For those of you who may not be familiar with Coppelia, the story revolves around Swanilda, a village girl that has caught the eye of a doll maker. Dr. Coppelius is a village eccentric who is enamored with her while Swanilda on her part has shown disdain towards him. In his frustration, he creates a doll in her likeness to confuse Swanilda's boyfriend, Franz. Bedlam ensues when Swanilda uncovers Dr. Coppelius evil plans when  she and Franz sneaks into  Dr. Coppelius home and she pretends to be the doll. All ends happily as She and Franz escape unscathed and they eventually get married and the village celebrates.

Since the story line revolves around dolls, this early little girls are excited to know what their costumes would look like. So I'm posting some of the designs here and hoping the costumes all turn out great to make all the aspiring young ballerinas pursue their dance training for years to come...

It's inspiring to see how little girls turn out after spending years of training in dance.