river cities dance company
River Cities Dance Company is the resident dance company of Power and Grace School of Performing Arts. Christy Posey Holden serves as the artistic director of the dance company and all company members train locally at Power & Grace. Auditions are held each spring for membership in this strenuous and disciplined program. Training includes classical ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical and hip-hop. Senior and Junior Company members are also instructed in classical pointe using the Cecchetti ballet method which reduces injuries and allows adaptability when auditioning for different choreography styles.
Since its inception in 1997, River Cities Dance Company has performed locally at many venues including the Red River Revel, Les Boutiques de Noel, ArtBreak, Krewe of Centaur’s Mardi Gras Ball, Miss Louisiana Pageants, Junior League’s Trends & Traditions, Neon Saturday Nights, December on the Red, Ballet Under the Stars, and local productions such as The Lion King. Company members also volunteer time each year to entertain at various retirement communities and children’s facilities in our area.
Additionally, the dance company has been invited to perform twice at Disney World in Orlando. Some members were chosen to perform at National Tap Dance Day in Dallas, the Shreveport Advertisers “Addy” Awards Ceremony, the movie “A Year Without Santa,” and various other events. Many members perform annually in The Nutcracker and other local productions.
River Cities Dance Company attends dance competitions and conventions annually, including Dupree Dance Expo in Dallas and New Orleans, Dance Olympus in New Orleans, Fire and Ice in Dallas, and the local “Gator Classic.” They consistently bring home top awards from all competitions, including Finalists in the Tremaine National Dance Competition. Members have been accepted to prestigious national dance programs such as The Rock School, American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, The Rockettes Intensive Training Program, and City Ballet of Houston. Graduating seniors have been accepted and/or received scholarships to several college dance programs including University of Oklahoma, University of Alabama, Centenary College, and Southern Methodist University.
river cities dance foundation
The River Cities Dance Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to the technical and artistic growth and development of emerging young dancers. Our goal is to provide superior educational and performance opportunities for area dancers, professional dance performances to local audiences, and promote dance as an art form. A volunteer board of representatives governs RCDF. The foundation depends solely on volunteers to execute all fundraisers, performances, other projects.
RCDF has sponsored events and activities such as Disney World trips and performances, master classes with nationally recognized teachers and choreographers, “Dance Into the Season” Holiday Gala, holiday greenery sales fundraisers, swim and ice-skating parties for River Cities Dance Company members, recital flowers, gifts for graduating seniors, “Step Into the Season” Holiday Tea, “Circle of Friends” Luncheon, “Simba’s Soiree” Reception and many others.
Through these activities and the funds they generate, RCDF is able to contribute to the enrichment of developing dancers in our community. RCDF, in association with Power & Grace School of Performing Arts, has helped to provide scholarships and opportunities for young dance students to attend master classes and workshops with various artists including Betty Siebert (Connecticut), Anthony LaCascio (TAP Dogs), Thommie Retter (Los Angeles), Keith Cross (Houston), Mary Beth Arrington (City Ballet of Houston), Desiree Robbins (Los Angeles), Heroshi Hamanihi (Los Angeles), Regan Marie (Los Angeles), Alexei and Natalia Charov (Pennsylvania Ballet), Diane Maroney Grigsby (Orchesis Dance Co. GSU) and others.
We would like to thank our current members for their contributions, support, and the many hours of planning and preparation needed for each of the events listed above. An open invitation is extended to parents, friends, and businesses who would like to support River Cities Dance Foundation by becoming a member.
