THE SCHOOL

ABOUT US

We at Contra Costa Ballet Centre are dedicated to providing the highest level of training possible, by recruiting the finest, most thoroughly-trained and educated world-class teachers available. Contra Costa Ballet Centre, directed by Richard Cammack (former San Francisco Ballet School director) and Zola Dishong (40+ years teaching experience), provides world-class training in a professional environment emphasizing hard work and respect. Our inclusive academy offers comprehensive children's, professional, and teen/adult programs, plus coaching, youth company, and performance opportunities for all levels. We encourage respectful behavior and classroom decorum, an integral part of dance training. We are a very inclusive school. We do not discriminate against anyone based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and judge only by one's work ethic, desire and merit. Our alumni have become leaders in the dance field, populating companies throughout the United States.

AN AMERICAN SYLLABUS

The Contra Costa Ballet Centre syllabus is truly American, taking the best of the Russian and Italian schools. The directors of CCBC and its faculty have all studied the Ceccetti (Italian) and Vaganova (Russian) systems extensively, and, all coming from professional backgrounds, have danced in companies that have favored one technique over the other. For example, New York City Ballet has featured the works of their founder, Balanchine, who, being Russian, was very influenced by the Russian system yet created his own. Or American Ballet Theatre which is known for their very broad repertory featuring works by American, Danish, Italian and Russian choreographers. It is with this depth of knowledge and experience that the CCBC faculty is able to offer your student a truly American syllabus.

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FACULTY

THE COMPANY

The Contra Costa Ballet Company is a pre-professional company of unusual stature. Only a few youth groups of this quality exist in America today.

2024-2025 Company Dancers.

Dancers work with top professionals and perform the classics of Petipa, Balanchine, Dolin and Lichine, plus exciting new works by guest choreographers. The Company and its activities are sponsored by the Contra Costa Ballet Foundation, a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to foster and develop the art of dance in Contra Costa County.

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THE FOUNDATION

Founded in 1974, the Contra Costa Ballet Foundation is a non-profit organization bringing the art of dance to the East Bay. Our mission is to provide affordable, professionally-staged dance performances to our community. We are also devoted to supporting a regional dance company, Contra Costa Ballet Company, and providing deserving young dancers with scholarships to be trained and gain performance experiences which will prepare them for a professional career in dance. Through various Outreach Events, the Foundation seeks to bring the ballet to local schools and the public. Contra Costa Ballet Centre is the official school of the Contra Costa Ballet Company.

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OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

BayArea Dancewear - Berkeley, California

Don McCartney Graphic Arts

Jor Fine Art Gallery

Phoenix at 1716

Platinum Nail Salon

Sylvan Learning Centers

BeLocal Lamorinda & Diablo

SF Dance Gear

WELLNESS PARTNERS

Dr. Selina Shah

Company Doctor

Meghann Oakes Rust, DPT

Company Physical Therapist

COMMUNITY PARTNER:

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Ballet at Contra Costa

Ballet Center

For those drawn to the beauty and grace of classical dance, the Contra Costa Ballet Center is a top-tier destination in Walnut Creek. As the premier classical ballet school in the East Bay, it provides world-class instruction, guiding students from their first steps in music and movement through seven progressive levels of achievement. Along the way, students build proficiency, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts, all while laying a strong foundation for future success.

Additionally, the Contra Costa Ballet Center is celebrated for its remarkable performances. Each year, the Contra Costa Ballet Foundation produces two highly anticipated shows—the beloved Nutcracker and the Spring Repertory. The Nutcracker attracts over 4,500 attendees each year, while the Spring Repertory features classical works like Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, along with contemporary performances such as Alice in Wonderland. These productions not only highlight the talent of the ballet school’s students but also offer unique opportunities to perform alongside professional dancers at the prestigious Lesher Center for the Arts.