by Tracy Straus - October, 2011

Gratitude is what is most prominent for me as I write about CTB. I am so grateful for the support we receive from individuals, foundations, and government  and corporate sponsors.  I am equally grateful for the brilliant work of the talented artists who share their passions and convey their belief in the potential of our children by teaching them to strive for excellence.

CTB is part of a huge movement - the Associates of National Dance Institute. These associate companies are inspiring 50,000 children a year - children whom without these programs probably would not experience the incredible opportunity to dance to live music, create unique shows, and be guided by professionals using wildly effective teaching techniques.

Thank you to all for making CTB thrive.

by Tracy Straus - January, 2011

As 2010 ends and 2011 begins, I marvel at the year we had, and feel so excited for the upcoming one!  In 2010 we experienced wonderful success in our Vail Valley year-round in-school program.  Underwritten by the fabulous Vail Valley Foundation, led by master teacher Heather Kratz, accompanied by two of the most extraordinary musicians I know: Tim Ribner and Tony Kieraldo, hundreds of students and teachers in schools in Vail experienced the magic of CTB.  And last summer in Vail our students had the opportunity to perform with Yo Yo Ma playing Bach, and later on in the summer we opened for the Vail International Dance Festival's "Broadway, Ballet and Beyond".  In September, we went to the White House to participate in Michelle Obama's 'dance day' honoring Judith Jamison.

With equally inspiring success we began a brand new program in Delta County that included three schools, and we kicked off this year's theme of Motown in Crested Butte with over 220 dancers taking the floor.

And now, as 2011 begins, and we have just launched a year-round program in Punta Mita, Mexico, we are working toward our end of the year events celebrating Motown, and looking forward to collaborating with BRAVO Music Festival this summer.

Thank you for being part of the CTB journey!

Below is a poem of affirmations, originally written by Patricia Moreno, and adjusted a bit by me.  Using the arts, this approach to life is what we strive to teach........

Success is a state of mind
and love is the key that sets us free
2011 it’s our time
to live a happier, healthier and fulfilled life
We say yes yes yes yes
We can be it all, why settle for less
We ask, it is given, 
when we seek , we shall find 
We claim our right 
to live a great life
We are passionate
We are strong 
We are inspired 
Bring it on 
It is done unto me as I believe 
With love success is guaranteed

Please show us how 
to live in love. 
Where fear 
has blocked us 
may love surround us. 

We are now unfolding to our highest potential 
We long to be 
all we are meant to be 
We make conscious contact with our higher Self 
to reveal the beauty and the truth about ourselves.

by Tracy Straus - September, 2010

CTB dancers enjoyed one amazing summer!  For “Imagination Celebration” Yo Yo Ma accompanied our dancers; we opened for the Pacific Northwest Ballet for “Pop Hop”; we experienced a Master Class taught by Jacques d’Amboise; and, for a tribute to the phenomenal Judith Jamison of Alvin Ailey, 4 of our students participated in a workshop in the East Room of the White House.

I remain incredibly proud of our extraordinary staff: Heather Kratz, program director and lead teacher (who accompanied the children on their trip to D.C. and created a fabulously enriching itinerary for them) Tony Kieraldo, music director (who in September moved to Eagle with his adorable new baby girl, Louise, and his exquisitely gifted wife, Lizzie), Beth Swearingen, teacher (fabulously talented performer and gifted teacher), Colleen Macomber, teacher (who also moved to the Valley - brilliant dancer and teacher - a bolt of bright and wonderful energy) Jake Wolf, accompanist (and totally inspired and inspiring music teacher - the king of Schoolhouse Rock.  Truly – how blesses the children are who are in classes led by these extraordinary  artists….

And – working toward launching our full year program in Mexico, two teachers from there, Paulina and Laura, and studying with our team for three weeks, and then will return to Mexico ready to rock “Celebrando El Ritmo!”

And… a huge “shout out” of gratitude to the Vail Valley Foundation whose support for our programming in the Vail Valley remain crucial….

This fall, the CTB creative team has the joy of creating a show inspired by Motown music.  I will be directing our residency in Crested Butte while the rest of the team continues our year round program in Eagle Valley. Later in the year, we will collaborate with Aspe Community School, and in the Spring, bring the magic of Motown to Paonia.

And, as always, endless gratitude to Dan Rubinoff, our terrific Executive Director.

I remain in awe of our staff, and am forever grateful to be able to bring profound joy and hope to our students.

Tracy

by Tracy Straus - June 30, 2010

What a joy and privilege it is to be a part of CTB: last week I worked with 50 children, most of whom never, ever would have had the experience of working with live music and dance.  Everyday we rehearsed with a brilliant cellist, Graham Olson, moving to Bach's Cello Suite # 1 in G, all in preparation for what was to be one of the most extraordinary performances of our lives; Yo Yo Ma accompanying our children at the Vail Amphitheater!

Yo-Yo's exuberance (as evidenced in this photo) is clearly not contrived, but as real as the day is long, and as glorious as those Colorado blue skies. His obvious adoration for what CTB brings to children and his praise for CTB will have a lasting and profound effect on all of us.  It serves as such a beautiful reaffirmation for the work that we all do, and it vigorously reinforces my commitment to transform our world by giving such amazing experiences to our children....

To my teachers and musicians I once again express my pride, appreciation, and awe for the joy you bring to these children, and to my extraordinary Executive Director - your support makes it possible for our work to thrive....

When Yo-Yo Ma, this gentleman of such incomparable musical talent and achievement looked me straight in the eye and expressed to me that the CTB program we have crafted is one of the most remarkable he has witnessed for children, my heart expanded and how joyous I feel to share this wonder with all of you......

I am soooo proud of the team we have assembled in Colorado. We're overflowing with love and great energy for all those wonderful children we have the pleasure of teaching.

Welcome to our new site

We just returned from Mexico and had a great show...

by Tracy Straus - February 20, 2010

Thanks to the generosity of Argie and Oscar Tang, CTB brought its intensive two week program to the local primary school, and the local estudientes danced their hearts out.  The innovative and inspirational Celebrate the Beat (CTB) teaching artists brought two weeks of movement and joy to the children in Punta Mita from February 8th to February 20th.  This residency culminated with a community performance on Saturday, February 20th at 5:00 p.m. at Hotel des Artistes.

For its second consecutive year CTB held daily dance classes for all third, fourth, and fifth grade students.  Led by artistic director Tracy Straus, musical directors Tim Ribner and Marc Malcuit, and CTB teachers Heather Kratz and Jon Swarthout, the CTB students  learned dances inspired by Dr. Seuss's "Horton Hears a Who" and created a 15 foot banner also inspired by Dr. Seuss.