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Arts & Entertainment

Beyond the Nutcracker

At Petaluma City Ballet, biggest competition for dancers is within

Ann Derby believes there’s a dancer inside every one of us.

“Any child who walks through these doors is given the same care and training as someone who could become a full ballerina in a major dance company,” says the artistic director of Petaluma City Ballet.

Derby has been raising young dancers at the school since purchasing it in 1982. There are currently seven faculty and 20 students in the school’s nonprofit ballet company, which is divided into three levels: petite (ages 9-11), junior (ages 11-13) and senior (age 13 and up). Advancement isn’t only based on skill and technical ability, however.

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It’s not necessary to be traditional “ballerina material” in order to perform, according to Derby. “It’s their commitment and focus that counts, and their interactions with other dancers," she says. "The older girls also have to be good role models.”

That’s a refreshing stance in an arena usually known as cutthroat.

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“Here the competition is within each dancer herself—what she can do to improve herself," Derby says.

Derby knew from age four that she would dance when she watched the young ballerina, Joyce Cuoco, pirouette on the Ed Sullivan show.

“I told my mom, ‘I’m going to do that,’ ” says Derby, who also got her start at Petaluma School of Ballet in 1960, one year after its opening. Her daughter, Katy, 26, is now on staff.

After attaining two bachelor’s degrees at San Francisco State University in Dance and in Technical Theater, Derby went on to perform with Marin Ballet and Sonoma Ballet Company.

Making sure the staff delivers quality curriculum and choreography is a priority, with a three to six month training period for new teachers. Classical ballet is emphasized, but they use tap dance to enhance rhythm, and jazz and lyrical dance to expand the repertoire. Male dance partners are hired for The Nutcracker, so the girls can get pas de deux training.

“The focus is on truly good dance,” she says, whether or not someone continues on professionally. The technique and performance skills built in the classroom are practiced in several annual school and public shows.

Once a year an adjudicator comes to watch them perform several works in full costume. She scores each dance within a ranking system and then selects one to be shown at the annual Regional Dance America/Pacific Festival.

“It really keeps us ‘on our toes,’ ” Derby says with a chuckle, “so we can see where we can improve and where we’re doing well.”

This year’s festival, in Las Vegas, will feature 21 companies from seven western states. The dancers will take classes with teachers from all over the country and participate in one of three nights of performances.

Performing “gives them something they could take with them their entire lives,” says Derby. Ballet is hard, but she believes if her students become accomplished at it they can do anything.

Derby’s dream is to have a professional company, to pay talented dancers a living wage for what they love to do. But expenses are prohibitive, from performance venues to the elaborate costumes which can cost up to $1,000 each. Even with tight funding in this economy, Derby hasn’t raised her ticket prices in years.

"A performance, for your patrons, is something very special. It brings life to us. I don’t think we’re full human beings without art in our lives.”

For information about classes, performances and events, go to Petaluma City Ballet's website or call 707-765-2660.

Snow White and Other Selected Works:
Spreckel’s Performing Arts Center
Saturday, April 16, 3:30 and 6:30 pm.
Tickets: $15 Adult, $12 Student/Senior

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