Connecticut Concert Ballet

Connecticut Concert Ballet (CCB) was founded in 1973 as a classical ballet training school and incorporated as a non-profit in 1985; it describes itself as the only non-profit dance school and performing organization in Manchester, Connecticut, operating from a studio at 280 Garden Grove Road. Artistic directors Wendy Fish-Lawrence and David Lawrence have led the school since 1997. CCB serves more than 300 students of all ages, teaching the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum. Its academic year runs September to May and is supplemented by summer classes and summer intensives; private lessons are also available. A selective pre-professional program begins at age 8 and enrols about 50 students. Students perform in fully staged productions including an annual Nutcracker and a spring performance, and the school also donates performances to benefit other non-profits. As a non-profit, CCB keeps tuition low, awards scholarships and relies on a large parent and community volunteer network. It reports around 30 students a year accepted into competitive ballet programs, college dance programs and performing arts high schools.