PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION

Ensembles, Ballet Companies, and Production Groups

Performing Ensembles, Ballet Companies and Production Groups (CAPA’s pre-Professional Division) exist for those dancers who wish to make dance a major part of their extracurricular life. It is the perfect outlet for artistic and physical expression and teaches the value of making a commitment, teamwork, and collaboration. 

As a member of our pre-Professional Division, dancers get the opportunity to perform in The Nutcracker and/or the Holiday Concerto (our special, multi-genre showcase performing after select Nutcracker shows). See our show pages for additional details.

Only the graduating senior members of our Division in good standing are eligible to choreograph a “Senior Solo” for June Show.

Performing Ensembles

The traditional Performing Ensembles (which focus on training well-rounded dancers in multiple dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary) begin with the Sprouts Ensemble, which is for dancers in first or second grade and/or have completed a year of Young Dancer.  

After Sprouts comes Daisy, Rose, Poppy, Violet, Calla, Lilac, Iris, Junior Ensemble, and Senior Ensemble. Dancers will often spend more than one year in an Ensemble. Advancement is based on Director placement.

Sprouts, Daisy, Rose, Poppy, Violet, and Senior Ensembles perform in The Nutcracker. All Ensembles perform in the Concerto (except Sprouts) and the June Showcases.

Production Groups

We have four Production Groups that present large-scale, theatrical productions in the Concerto and the June Showcases. Here, the art of theatrical production is taught as well as dance. We have produced wonderful pieces like Cats, West Side Story, Wicked, Aladdin, Greatest Showman, Hamilton and tributes to Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keyes, Earth Wind & Fire - and many others.

Production Groups are open only to dancers that also participate in our Performing Ensembles. Dancers are required to have a minimum technique of level four to participate (rising Violets). Dancers usually take two to three years in each level. Advancement is based on Director placement.

All Production Groups perform in every Nutcracker Concerto and in all June Showcases.

Ballet Companies

CAPA’s Ballet Companies begin with the Aurora Company, which is for dancers at minimum ballet technique level 3.  After Aurora comes Coppelia, Sylphide, Kirov, Paquita, Kitri, Junior Ballet Company, and Senior Ballet Company. Advancing to the next company is dependent on the dancer’s progress and growth during the year, and isn’t automatic. Advancement is based on Director placement.

All Ballet Companies perform in both the Nutcracker and the June Showcases. A student is only eligible for a solo or featured role in The Nutcracker if they are in a Ballet Company and participate in our Audition process.

Division Placement

If your student wishes to become a member of our Performing Ensembles, Ballet Companies or Production Groups, please contact us at capa@capadance.net.  

Membership in these groups requires a serious commitment. Students are expected to take class year-round to keep up their endurance, strength, technique, and flexibility. As such, our Performing Ensembles, Ballet Companies and Production Groups require that students take summer classes. Many CAPA students concentrate in either Ensemble (with or without Production) or Ballet Company, but most CAPA students are in every Division: Ensemble, Production and Ballet Company.

Ensembles, companies and production are like a club sport, and when you join in the fall, you agree to stay with the team through the entire school year. Mid-year drops are NOT allowed unless due to documented serious injury or major medical condition. Any student who drops ensemble or company mid-year unfortunately must drop participation in all ensembles/companies, and while the dancer will be welcome in as many technique classes as they wish, they will no longer be eligible for membership in ensemble or company. 

 * Notes: A year break may be taken from ensemble or company as long as it is for the whole school year, the dancer has completed dance-related activities and completes CAPA’s summer requirements - then they will be eligible to rejoin the following year. The student may or may not be placed in an ensemble or company of peers depending on an assessment of dance skills upon rejoining. Taking too much time away from CAPA’s pre-Professional Division (2+ years) means a dancer will no longer be eligible for those groups.

Diligence, commitment, team unity and collaboration are key tenets for division members.

After Fall placements have been assigned, you may be dropped from a group if you have not completed your Summer requirements satisfactorily. Attendance and progress during the past dance year may affect your placement. 

You must be willing to accept CAPA’s decisions regarding placement. There are so many variables, but we take the best interest of each dancer AND the group into consideration at placement time.

Division Contract

The DIVISION CONTRACT must be signed by the student and a parent. Please read it carefully, plan all dates in advance (see show pages, schedule page and CAPA calendar), and adhere to the standards set in the contract.  Click Here to fill out the current Division contract via GoogleForm, due by the end of the first week of class in August, contract deadline to not be dropped from Division is August 31st.  All members and parent/guardian must sign this annual contract to be eligible for any group, including Ensemble, Production or Ballet Company. One contract per student per family.

CAPA’s Attendance Policy for Performing Ensembles, Ballet Companies, and Production 

Ensembles, ballet companies and our production groups are teams, and just like team participation in any sport, attendance at practices is required.  Membership is both a privilege and a serious commitment. Excessive absences, even when excused, negatively affect the whole group and the work they are creating, and it is up to the discretion of the teachers or directors to keep a dancer out of a section or an entire dance as the result of these absences.

• Fall Semester (August – December): Two vacation/unexcused absences per required class are allowed.  

• Winter/Spring Semester (January – June): Three vacation/unexcused absences per required class are allowed.

 Visit our attendance policy page for more information in excused and unexcused absences.

Ensemble/Company Fee

An annual fee is charged to participate in a performing ensemble, production group or ballet company. This fee is normally charged in October of each year. The fee enables CAPA to maintain the extensive inventory of Nutcracker Costumes and props and also pays for additional teacher rehearsal time that goes into preparation of the Nutcracker and June Shows that aren’t included in normal tuition.

The 2025-2026 fee is as follows:

For one child with one ensemble/company: $220.  One child with two or more ensembles/companies: $270.

Second and subsequent children in a family with one ensemble/company: add $170; with two or more ensembles/companies: $220. for each additional child.

Show Participation

For membership, participation in the Nutcracker/Concerto and June Showcases is mandatory. Dates are released well in advance, and it is your responsibility to plan your calendar accordingly. Nutcracker is usually the very last week of school before holiday vacation, including that weekend. 

The June Showcases are almost always the week following the last week of school and high school graduation.

Division Activities

Division members are invited to participate in various events and activities throughout the year. Yearly division photos (mandatory) are taken June Show week. The Division Banquet is held on the Saturday evening of the last June Show. Additional information on events and activities come out via email to Division members.

Parent Volunteers

CAPA is a family, and we require parent participation to make our efforts successful. Parents who cannot volunteer for jobs during/around both show weeks will be provided an “opt-out” for an additional fee of $500/dancer (we want you to sign up and fulfill your job). Parents typically volunteer up to 8hrs per show per dancer. Many of our parents are very skilled in different areas: costuming, theater tech, photography, acting / voice-work (narration & adult roles such as DR & MRS Stahlbaum), etc. We want to hear from you if you would like to share your talents with us!

CAPA requires all families (at least 1 parent or family representative) to attend our annual Division meeting, usually in October.