Indiana Ballet Conservatory’s fundraising showcase will provide several challenges in a few areas.
“This year is very challenging as we have decided to work with the younger students, incorporating them into the ensembles such as our ‘Oompa Loompa,’ a contemporary piece which features dancers from age 7 to 16, and also our classical waltz piece from ‘Fairy Doll,’ which features dancers aged 9 to 17,” said Alyona Yakovleva, IBC founding artistic director. “In particular, the classical waltz is challenging for these dancers as it requires a high level of ballet technique.”
![‘Love is in the Air’ at Indiana Ballet Conservatory 1 ND IBC 0207 pic 1](https://youarecurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ND-IBC-0207-pic-1-351x440.jpg)
“Love is in the Air” will be presented Feb. 11 and 18 at the Studio One at Indiana Ballet Conservatory, 849 Carmel Dr., Carmel. The event starts at 7 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by the performance at 8 p.m.
“This performance not only is a chance to perform many different pieces showing multiple sides of a dancer, but there is also something fun about transforming where we dance and practice every day into a place to showcase it to an audience,” said Aurora Ausserer, a 17-year-old Indianapolis performer. “The choreography in this show is incredible because it is put on us specifically by our teachers, and because of that, each dance is different, pulling a different emotion out of the audience.”
Ausserer said the challenge she is facing is being comfortable with the choreography.
“We are debuting a handful of pieces at this show, and I want the audience to feel what we are feeling and enjoy them,” Ausserer said. “Specifically, there is one ensemble we are performing for the first time at this show where I have lots of pointe work and fouettés, which is very fun but also something I have had to work a lot. It has been a challenge to work on, and still is, but I am hoping the audience enjoys the piece as a whole and everything goes well.”
Yakovleva said the routines the dancers are featuring in the showcase will be a preview of what they will perform at the Youth America Grand Prix this spring.
For more, visit indianaballetconservatory.org.