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.