Tirza Panunto
How did your time at CCB impact your life, on or off the stage?
Growing up dancing with CCB taught me the importance of internal motivation and consistency when working toward a goal. While class and rehearsal schedules were set, we were also taught how to work effectively and efficiently in the studio. That ability to focus, push myself, and be productive independently has carried over into every area of my life.
What was one of your most memorable moments with CCB?
Several events stand out as being very memorable when I think back to my time at CCB. The first being when I was cast as Clara (or Angeline) in the Nutcracker. Nutcracker has always been my favorite ballet and a dream of mine had always been to dance the part of Clara. Not only was finding out about the part memorable, but the whole rehearsal process. The amount of support I received and time to work on my dancing/artistry helped make the experience incredibly positive. In the professional world I have never had this much time/attention from a member of artistic staff put towards a specific role. Which is part of what makes training at CCB so memorable- I received the attention I needed to grow to a point where I could step into a role with little rehearsal and still perform well.
Another memorable moment at CCB was a combination of the outdoor/outreach shows we did. Learning how to perform in less than ideal circumstances was a massive help in my professional career. From dancing on carpet to grass to cement, it was always so much fun because it allowed me another opportunity to perform.
What did it mean to be part of the CCB family?
Being a part of the CCB family meant being a part of something bigger than myself and helping to bring things together. It was a community built around a shared love and passion. No matter what life experiences each of us had, we were united by a love for the same art form.
What would you tell a young dancer or parent about your CCB experience?
I would tell a younger dancer or parent that being a part of CCB is an important part of preparing for the professional world. Whether it’s a corporate job or an artistic job it helps prepare you for the internal motivation needed to be successful in pursuing your goals.
How did your training or performances help prepare you for future challenges?
One important part of performing is the ability to conserve energy when you are not dancing and how to properly pace yourself throughout a show. Knowing what to put the most effort towards allows you to get through a show without crashing halfway through. Same to any other thing in life, sometimes you have to put a lot of time and energy and effort into something, whereas other times it’s beneficial to take a bit of a step back and re-coup before you jump back into something. That balance has helped me handle challenges both in and out of the studio.
— Tirza Panunto
