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Richard Cammack's formal classical ballet training began at the InterlochenArts Academy and Butler University, where he graduated with honors, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Dance. In 1969 he contracted with the American Ballet Theatre and during his five years with the Company danced an extensive repertoire with many soloist roles such as "Pillar of Fire" (Anthony Tudor), "Pulcinella"(Michael Smuin), and "Les Patineurs" (Fredrick Ashton).
Mr. Cammack then joined Michael Smuin and Lew Christensen, Aritistc Directors of the San Francisco Ballet, in 1973 as Company Regisseur to rehearse, teach and coach the Company dancers. When Harold Christensen retired as School Director in 1975, Cammack then assumed that position which he held until 1986.
As School Director, Mr. Cammack reorganized the structure, revised the curriculum, developed a highly selective eight year professional training program, and instituted a high school academic program. The school tripled its enrollment, received Federal approval for admittance of foreign students for yearly studies, became accredited through the National Association of Schools of Dance and qualified to receive diverse grants and loans. During his tenure, over 125 students graduated into the ranks of the San Francisco Ballet, New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and other major companies throughout the United States and abroad.
Mr. Cammack served for two years as the American representative on the jury of the "Prix de Lausanne," a prestigious international ballet competition, and has lent his services as master teacher and adjudicator for several ballet festivals in the United States.
In January of 1987 Mr. Cammack and Zola Dishong, moved to Walnut Creek to become the new owners and directors of the Contra Costa Ballet Centre and artistic directors of its affiliate company, the Contra Costa Ballet. The school was restructured into 3 divisions composed of 15 levels of training (3 1/2 years of age to adults) and the curriculum revised. A faculty of international stature was developed; each faculty member has years of teaching and performing experience.The enrollment has tripled and graduates have gone on to major schools and companies throughout the nation. The Ballet Centre has become one of the prominent training centers of classical ballet in California. The company has developed into a major regional company offering two seasons each year at the Dean Lesher Regional Center in Walnut Creek.
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