Youth Ensemble

Mareck Center for Dance Youth Ensemble

Founded in 2015, Mareck Center for Dance’s Youth Ensemble (formerly Student Performance Company) aims to provide our intermediate and advanced students with performance and choreographic opportunities in a professional atmosphere, to further prepare them for a future career in dance. They will have the opportunity to learn existing repertory, have new pieces created for them by professional dancers and by their peers, and choreograph on their peers. Every year, the Youth Ensemble attends ballet competitions such as Youth America Grand Prix and Étoile Dance Competition, which exposes the dancers to students and teachers from around the country and gives them opportunity to participate in private lessons and individualized coaching from our teachers throughout the year.

The Youth Ensemble has performed alongside the company dancers in select Mareck Dance performances, including Carmina Burana, Cinderella, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and annual events such as Choreographic Installation and Dancing With the Missouri Stars. They have also performed in outside events such as National Dance Week St. Louis, which brings together professional and pre-professional companies from around the state.

The Youth Ensemble is a tremendous opportunity for young dancers, but also a serious commitment to rehearsals and performances from August-June, so please consider that when auditioning. To ensure you are able to give the time and effort required, please carefully read the Youth Ensemble Contract and contact us if you have any questions about the program!

*Cover photo by Jeff Sabo