Later this month, 24 young dancers from the Kansas City Ballet School (KCBS) will step onto the stage at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in a way that few students ever do – dancing alongside the professional company as part of the corps de ballet in Don Quixote.
For these students – ranging from Academy Level 4 and up – this is more than just another performance. Unlike typical student roles that are separate roles from the professionals, this opportunity immerses them fully in the world of professional ballet. They will perform the same intricate choreography as the company dancers and be held to the same rigorous expectations.
A Rare and Transformative Experience
“It’s incredibly rare for students to step directly into the corps de ballet of a professional production,” says Oliver Till, School Director at Kansas City Ballet. “This isn’t just about performing – it’s about experiencing the discipline, precision, and artistry required at the professional level.”
And they’re not just learning from any teacher.
Direct Coaching from the Artistic Director
Guiding them through this process is none other than Kansas City Ballet’s Artistic Director Devon Carney. A former principal dancer with Boston Ballet, Carney is personally setting the choreography on these students – an invaluable opportunity at this stage in their training.
“For a young dancer, direct coaching from the artistic director of a major ballet company is incredibly special,” explains Oliver. “They’re learning firsthand from the person who shapes the company’s vision and standards. That kind of mentorship is rare and incredibly impactful.”
Carney himself is impressed by their dedication.
“These dancers are rising to the occasion beautifully,” he says. “Performing alongside the professional corps de ballet requires discipline, artistry, and teamwork. I have no doubt they’ll meet the challenge with grace and enthusiasm.”
The Road to the Stage
Earning a spot in Don Quixote wasn’t easy. Students auditioned in early January and began rehearsing shortly after, dedicating nearly eight weeks to perfecting their roles as Cupids who appear in a dream sequence in Act II. Among them are seven scholarship students, whose hard work and dedication have earned them vital support to pursue their ballet dreams.
“This isn’t a separate student piece,” Oliver emphasizes. “These dancers are executing the same choreography as the company members. It’s a testament to their training, discipline, and the high level of expectations we set at KCBS to prepare them for experiences like this.”
Devon agrees: “Whether they go on to professional careers, or take these lessons into other paths, the dedication and artistry they’re developing in Don Quixote will stay with them forever.”
A Testament to KCBS Excellence
The Kansas City Ballet School is one of the largest ballet schools in the region, with over 600 students and a faculty of more than 50 instructors. But beyond its size, it’s opportunities like dancing in Don Quixote that set it apart.
“Our goal is to provide the highest level of training and to inspire our students with real-world professional experiences,” says Oliver. “This performance is a perfect example of that – showing them what’s possible when talent meets dedication.”
Header image: Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney coaches Kansas City Ballet School students during rehearsal for Don Quixote. Photo by Beeh Moynagh.
