In our commitment to grow the CTB board to include diverse experiences, we are thrilled to introduce three new members: Caroline Czirr, Leon Robinson, and  D.L. Pos Ryant.  Caroline, Leon, and Pos all bring a passion for the arts and education, and we are grateful for their expertise and guidance.

Celebrate the Beat (CTB) announces a partnership with CEPIA and La Paz Community School (“La Paz”) to bring arts education to communities in Costa Rica.  Through this partnership, CTB is collaborating with La Paz and CEPIA, the two most prominent non-profit organizations in the Guanacaste area, to create a self-sustaining program that leverages CTB’s method and experience and applies it to a specific Costa Rican cultural context. 

Celebrate the Beat (CTB) persevered during the challenges 2020 brought, and the 21-year-old nonprofit didn’t just pivot, it swiveled, adapted, and thrives today! The joy of children in the CTB program is inspiring and continually draws more individuals to want to get involved. MarChelle McKizzie and Paris Lumb are the latest two examples of exceptional people who choose to dedicate their time, expertise, and passion to enhance the positive impact CTB is making.

Both Mariah and Stephanie are recent graduates of the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) Leadership Program. During the nine-month program, they took classes on Principles of Effective Governance, Fundraising Strategies, Advocacy for the Arts and Creative Industries, Equity and Inclusion, Nonprofit Financial Stewardship, Arts & Social Justice, Arts & Healing, and Business and Arts Partnerships. They learned all about nonprofit board service and connecting with other professionals from all backgrounds. The leadership program taught them how to be more effective arts advocates and leverage business skills they already possess in new ways. While they feel lucky to have found Celebrate the Beat, Celebrate the Beat is lucky to have been found by them.

On Thursday, September 12, level five students at Tennyson Knolls Elementary (TKE) performed in front of a packed gym of students and parents. Celebrate the Beat (CTB) hires professional artist and musicians to come together and teach over 3,500 children annually thru choreographed dance.

“Dancing on top of the walls is what Celebrate the Beat emphasizes. Back in 2000, Tracy Straus, a Tony Award-winner and artistic associate at National Dance Institute in New York, was invited to Aspen Santa Fe Ballet to create Celebrate the Beat. Last year, CTB brought its programs to more than 3,500 children in 25 schools throughout Colorado and Mexico.”

CTB’s program in Mexico and its fantastic Lead Teacher, Colleen Macomber, are receiving international attention.

I couldn’t be more proud of our 12 dancers from Eagle County who had the special opportunity to perform at Aspen’s City of Wellbeing Event, Lead with Love, last Friday Oct 27th!

I am not sure if everyone knows this or not, but the original team of CTB was all discovered in the small mountain town of Crested Butte.

Celebrate the Beat at the Vail International Dance Festival.