NCDC ON COVER OF PLACER COUNTY ARTS & CULTURE GUIDE 24 Oct 2022, 5:13 pm

NCDC has a featured photo on the cover of the Fall 22 edition of the Placer County Arts and Culture Guide! Inside, the stunning photo of NCDC dancer Ella Bradford is followed by an impressive description and shoutout.

“Ella, and other Northern California Dance Conservatory dancers, recently had the opportunity to travel to Portugal and Spain where they trained with dancers from around the world. Ella spent three weeks at the prestigious Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, in MA, where she workshopped the upcoming Broadway revival 1776. In August, she attended the International Summer Dance Intensive Art’s Umbrella, in Vancouver Canada. Now it’s time to fill out college applications!”

Get your copy today!

Words of Wisdom 15 Sep 2022, 8:26 pm

In this new series, NCDC Founder Jen Bradford reaches out to Alumni, Staff, and Current Students to share advice and insights into their careers both in dance and in life.

Meet Ella – She is a Senior at NCDC and will be auditioning for companies and applying for colleges.

JEN: You had the fantastic opportunity to attend both Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival and Arts Umbrella International Summer Intensive in Canada this past summer. How did that happen?

ELLA: The process of getting accepted into these programs was rigorous!  Jacobs Pillow was primarily focused on Musical Theatre Dance training, while Arts Umbrella concentrated on Contemporary Ballet, meaning that both programs sought different materials to represent me as an artist. As a result, I spent countless hours filming ballet class, contemporary, tap, and jazz combinations, and in addition to all the dancing, two songs, and monologues. It was crazy! After all the material was filmed, I compiled it all into a video and sent it to each program. The most challenging part, however, was the time between auditioning and getting my acceptance letter which was about three months; I was just dying to know if I had gotten in or not. 

JEN: Jacobs Pillow is such an iconic, world-renowned program; how did you feel when you found out you were accepted?

ELLA: I honestly could not believe it. It was such a magical moment, and there was definitely a lot of screaming and joy-filled tears. I felt so honored to be a part of something so much bigger than myself. I have watched so many of the dancers I looked up to growing up attend these programs and to finally be in a place where I have the opportunity to also have these experiences was a bit surreal. 

JEN: What was your daily schedule like in both programs?

ELLA: The daily schedule was intense, to say the least, at both programs.

During my time at the Pillow, I was pushed to the limits, with my classes starting at 8 am and rehearsals going until 10:30 pm. We would spend the morning hours taking classes to improve and fine-tune my artistic voice and skills, and the night hours were dedicated to rehearsal as the whole intensive was a workshop for the Broadway Musical 1776 opening this fall. I was so fortunate to play the role of Rodger Sherman and spent many hours unpacking how to play this character as a woman in a twentieth-century world. After rehearsal, however, the day was not finished, as in-depth homework assignments were the norm and were commonly due the next day. When I was not dancing, completing homework, or memorizing lines, I had the incredible opportunity to attend performances at the Ted Shawn Theatre/ Henry J. Lier outdoor stage, learn from industry professionals, and take nature walks. I also made great new friends, not only the fantastic artist but also some bears, mice, and porcupines kept me company during my time there. 

During my time at Arts Umbrella, I would dance from 9 am and not stop until 6:30 pm every day. The day always started with a ballet class and then transitioned into various styles of Contemporary/Modern technique and repertoire. As a result, I had the fantastic opportunity to dive deeper into my movement and discover new ways of thinking that improved my dancing in all genres. On the weekends, I spent my time discovering and taking in the beauty and culture of Vancouver. 

JEN: How do you feel changed as an artist due to these opportunities?

ELLA: I believe that I matured into not just a dancer but an artist because of these opportunities. I have always loved telling stories through movement since I was a little girl. However, because of these opportunities, I am more aligned with my artistic voice and feel more confident in my ability to story tell through my dancing more effectively and truthfully.

JEN: How did your training and preparation not only help you get into these programs but also prepare you for their mental and physical demands?

ELLA: Well, I would never have been able to achieve these things without my training growing up at Northern California Dance Conservatory. I feel so grateful to have this space in my life. NCDC is the place where my love for dance originated. That love has been the constant throughout my training and is what keeps me pushing forward in this field.  Logistically, however, NCDC has prepared me physically through intense and high-level training six days a week through some of the dance industry’s best teachers. I have also been taught the importance of self-care, proper nutrition, and how to survive the mental demands a dancer faces through programs such as the healthy dancer challenge introduced this past fall and various other master classes I have taken throughout the years. All that I have gathered from my time at NCDC, combined with my passion, love and dedication, is truly what has granted me these incredible opportunities and has prepared me for their demands. 

JEN: What are your most memorable moments while there in Massachusetts and Vancouver?

ELLA: My most memorable moment while in Massachusetts was getting the opportunity to perform on the Henry J. Leir outdoor stage; it was a moment I will never forget and cherish. My mom presented work there as a choreographer in 2011 so to follow in her footsteps and have her in the audience was really special for me. In addition, I absolutely loved working with and learning from such talented artists and artistic staff, pillow cast parties, and soaking in nature. Oh, I also encountered a bear alone in the woods on my way back from rehearsal which was a terrifyingly memorable moment, to say the least. While in Vancouver, special moments include making friends with people from all over the world, enjoying yummy food at the nearby marketplace, and exploring different styles and teachers’ thoughts about dance. 

JEN: What advice would you give to younger dancers hoping to attend one of these programs in the future?
ELLA: I would say never give up on yourself or limit yourself. You are capable of so much more than you could ever possibly imagine, and as cheesy as it may sound  if you dream it, you can achieve it. I was never the young dancer that people thought was naturally talented or going to be successful as a dancer. But I wanted it more than anything else in my life. I had some teachers that did not believe in me and even though that was hard,  I guess in a way it inspired me to work harder and prove myself. I also had teachers that saw my work ethic and how much I loved it and they pushed me to be better by helping me recognize my unique talents as a performer. I guess I would also say remember that dreams are only as good as your work and sacrifice to achieve them. Be audacious and soak up all the opportunities, big or small, that are presented to you. It’s so exciting to be a dancer, so remember to  enjoy it and find that love in every opportunity big or small.

About NCDC Founder Jen Bradford: 

Jen Bradford began dancing early in Utah and continued her training in the California Bay Area and New York City. While in NYC, she received the Steps on Broadway scholarship. Jen attended Brigham Young University, where she was awarded a dance scholarship and a degree in personal studies in dance therapy. During her 20-year career, she has reached notoriety as an innovative dancer, choreographer, producer, and influential educator. As a choreographer, she has created over 60 full-length works performed by Professional Companies, Theaters, Universities, and schools throughout the United States, France, Germany, Austria, Costa Rica, Mexico, Bulgaria, and China. 

She has received numerous awards for choreography and artistic achievement. She has been the Artistic Director of Teen Dance Company of the Bay Area, Momentum Dance Company, Impulse Dance Company, Impact Dance Company, and in 2006 founded Northern California Dance Conservatory, where she established an acclaimed training curriculum in which she teaches, choreographs, and mentors young dancers. [FULL BIO]

NCDC in Sacramento Talent Magazine 20 Mar 2018, 9:45 pm

NCDC is Featured in this months Sacramento Talent Magazine pg 69-73. Our incredibly talented photographer Tim Engle is on the cover!! You can read the full article here

Local dancer makes leap to Juilliard 10 Aug 2016, 1:21 pm

Recent Oak Ridge High School graduate Madeline Bertoy was accepted into The Juilliard School’s prestigious Dance Division and will leave to begin her studies in New York City later this month. Only 12 women and 12 men are accepted into Juilliard’s dance program annually.

Madeline, 18, said she received a call during spring break that she’d been accepted into her No. 1 college choice. “I was really shocked,” she said. “I still can’t believe it.”

She started dancing at Center Stage Dance Academy when she was in kindergarten, but when she was 12 and realized she may want to dance professionally one day, Madeline and her parents, Bob and Liz Bertoy, made the decision she would study ballet and modern dance at the Northern California Dance Conservatory in Roseville, where she would eventually dance up to four hours a day, six days a week.

“I want to thank all of my dance teachers, especially (NCDC Artistic Director) Jen Bradford,” Madeline said.

She had praise for her parents as well. “They have always been really encouraging and supportive,” Madeline said. “They never pushed me to do things I didn’t want to.”

Madeline’s older sister, Lauren, was a softball star at Oak Ridge and currently plays at Stanford.

Now that Madeline has actualized her college dream, she will work hard to dance in a professional company one day. “In the next four years I’ll learn and meet choreographers and directors,” she said. “That will help me decide where I want to go.”

The Juilliard School, located in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in Manhattan, New York, is a performing arts conservatory established in 1905. The school trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama and music each year.

Nicole Smith wins coveted YoungArts Scholarship 11 Feb 2015, 5:07 pm

Nicole Smith was one of 21 dance finalists out of 11 thousand applicants to receive a coveted scholarship from the National YoungArts Foundation. Nicole Smith was flown to Miami for a week of life changing experiences with some of the best young dancers in the country. 

Loomis resident, Nicole Smith (17), had the opportunity to participate in YoungArts programs “designed to support young artists at critical junctures in their careers and to encourage them to pursue a life in the arts.” National YoungArts Week was held in Miami January 4th-11th 2015. As a dance finalist, Nicole had the opportunity to participate in the YoungArts Ball honoring YoungArts Alumni Josh Groban and Chris Young.

Nicole credits the experience and the scholarship to the training she received from her teachers at Northern California Dance Conservatory in Roseville. She began her ballet training at NCDC about 4 years ago, and has since dedicated her life to dance, training intensively five to six days a week. “Nicole’s achievements are well earned,” says Jen Bradford Artistic Director of NCDC. “Nicole has an innate passion for dance. She has an incredible work ethic and is deeply committed to her training. Not only is Nicole a beautiful and talented dancer, she is a kind, loving and compassionate spirit and is loved and respected by her teachers and peers.”

The experience was life changing for the young dancer. “Young arts changed my life. They weren’t kidding when they told us it was going to be the best week of our lives. I am extremely grateful that I was fortunate enough to be selected as a finalist to attend. Traveling alone across the country to Miami, I was very nervous, but after only a couple hours there, I knew I would be forever changed. My favorite part about Young arts week was getting to know all the other finalists and learning from all the amazing talent that surrounded me. I feel that it made me more confident in my abilities and opened me up to trying new things and learning from art forms other than just dance. We became like a family, and I will cherish this experience for the rest of my life. “

Northern California Dance Conservatory is owned and operated by Jen Bradford. Through her artistic vision and aim for excellence, NCDC has produced California’s most accomplished dancers and has garnered a reputation that is proclaimed world-wide. You can watch Nicole perform her contemporary solo at the YoungArts Dance Finalist performance at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPjwp5vHUpg&feature=youtu.be

Senior dancer leaps to London 6 Jun 2013, 7:48 pm

One Del Oro High School senior is following her dream and will be off to a prestigious dance school in London this fall.

Carlene Raibley, 17, of Loomis, called attending the London Contemporary Dance School “the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Carlene traveled to San Francisco and endured an 8-hour intensive audition to earn one of 40 coveted spots in the school’s freshman class. She will join an international group of dancers to study contemporary dance together with ballet, choreography and other supporting subjects for a three-year BA Honours degree in contemporary dance validated by the University of Kent.

Then she plans to continue for another year of postgraduate work in advanced dance studies, performance, choreography and dancing training and education to receive a postgraduate diploma and MA degree.

When asked what dance meant to her, Carlene said, “It’s life. The way I can express myself. My outlet. Where I am truly myself.”

Carlene said she’ll come home for a one-month winter break and during the summer, but during her additional breaks she plans to see Europe.

“I’m so excited. I’ve always hungered for traveling,” she said.

The girl has been dancing since age three and her dream as a child was to be a ballerina. She still dances ballet for 90 minutes to three hours each day as part of her 3-4 hour, 5-6 days per week dance regimen at the Northern California Dance Conservatory, in Roseville, but Carlene has outgrown that dream and now wants to eventually join a dance company, be a choreographer and create her own Christian dance troop that travels the world, sharing and teaching dance along with Christian ministry.

“Everyone should have a chance to dance,” Carlene said.

Carlene said she chose the Roseville facility because she loved what they did and the school “has a really high caliber of dancing. They’re preparing you for a profession.”

Jen Bradford, owner of Northern California Dance Conservatory, said she’s worked

with Carlene “as her teacher and mentor.”

She attributes Carlene’s success to “her intense dedication and commitment to dance, but above all her passion and love for the art.”

Bradford said, “Although Carlene is a wonderful dancer and spends many hours each day at the studio training, she has not neglected the social or academic aspects of her life. She strives for excellence in all she does.”

At school, Carlene finds time to be in leadership and is a member of the Anti-Bullying Club, is a peer mentor (formerly call peer helper) and is involved in her church youth group.

Bradford said, “Carlene is a very sweet, kind, passionate dancer.”

Ballerina seizes golden opportunity 14 Mar 2013, 7:44 pm

For Tessa Magda it would be her first dance competition. It would also be her first time in France. And it would also be barely two months after she broke her foot.
But none of this seemed to phase the Auburn 15-year-old, as Tessa took home the gold in both the classical ballet and contemporary dance competitions.
“I wasn’t expecting it,” she said. “They say my name funny, so I paused for a second to make sure it was me, but no one else was going up, so I went up and got my medal. I was very happy and very surprised.”
She admits to being nervous, “a little wobbly,” but said it was an extremely good experience for her and helped build her confidence.
“My goodness, I was ecstatic,” said her father, Julius Magda, upon hearing the news. “I practically burst out in tears when I heard how well she did.”
Sure, that’s a proud father talking. So let’s go to the ballet teacher for an objective reaction.
“I am very proud of her,” said Theodore Constant, ballet director at the Northern California Dance Conservatory in Roseville. “She’s been working really hard, since she was 9 years old. It’s been a long road, but we feel very happy.”
The 16th International Ballet Competition in Montpellier, France, consists of three parts. The first two deal with ballet; one common piece that all competitors must do and one of their own choosing. The third is a contemporary dance. For this they chose a violin concert by Philip Glass, choreographed by Constant (that’s his artistic name, his real name’s Constantinescu, but to the students it’s “Mr. C”).
For the ballet, Constant said he set her up in the competition with a piece that would challenge her.
“I had her dance the gypsy, Esmeralda, from The Hunchback of Notre Dame ballet ‘La Esmeralda,’” he said. “She’s a very hot-blooded character. Tessa is still young and innocent. I would see her more as Sleeping Beauty or the Lilac Fairy, but I did that for the competition, to challenge her, and she pulled it off nicely.”
For Tessa, playing the strong, confident Esmeralda was enjoyable, and the gold medal proves it was not beyond her talents. But her favorite ballet is “Giselle,” whose heroine is described as shy and beautiful; and of delicate health due to a weak heart. She may identify with the character’s shyness and beauty, but no one would ever question Tessa’s heart, not after January’s misstep.
“It was just a freak move,” her father said of her broken foot.
It was the first day back to practice after Christmas break. Her teacher said it was a moment of distraction; that it just happens sometimes. But she rehabbed and got her strength back and before long she was back “en point.”
And then it was off to France, where Tessa stayed with a local family in Montpellier. They had two teenage daughters, one of whom was competing as well.
“I was only there a week,” she said. “I was very busy working and didn’t get to see much in the way of sights. But from what I did see, Montpellier was absolutely stunning. There is a lot of history there.”
She found the people very welcoming and the food “absolutely amazing.”
The same can be said of her performance across the pond.
“This was her first competition,” Constant said. “Now she has confidence.”
And thus, Giselle makes way for Esmeralda, a delicate balance for the budding ballerina.

Rocklin teen dances her way to London’s prestigious dance school 14 May 2012, 7:53 pm

When the world spins, Liselle Yap stands strong on her toes in an artistic and focused realm of self-expression. “It’s part of our job as dancers to make it seem like what we do is effortless when in reality it takes years and years of dedication and practice. But that is part of the beauty and the art of it,” said the 18-year-old Rocklin High senior. Yap relishes the challenge of dancing and the process of creating something. She regards the experience of dancing as “freeing” – seeing it as a way to expel negative emotional energy. The dancer was notified in early February that she would be training to become a professional dancer at the London Contemporary School of Dance. She will head for London in September to begin a three-year study program. The acceptance followed on the heels of an audition held recently in San Francisco. She is one of 40 dancers accepted out of a pool of 1,000 applicants. Yap started dancing at age 9, but did not start seriously training until she was 12. The countless hours of practices and performances have meant sacrifices for Yap and her family. “She has done so without complaining. She has voiced to us a few times that she wishes she could attend more of her siblings’ functions or family getaways. And we do miss her, too,” said Valerie Febre-Yap, who admires her daughter’s commitment to dance. She is pleased her daughter will have an opportunity to discover the world and herself while studying in London. Close friend, 18-year-old Ashley Brown, also admires Yap’s determination and dedication to dance. Brown has also noticed that her friend has developed an elevated tolerance for stress, pain, and emotions throughout her dance career. “Liselle’s creativity has also grown massively,” said Brown. Her decision to enroll in a musical theatre class was inspired by watching a Broadway production. Yap started out as a member of a performing jazz team for three years, then switched studios and trained intensively in modern style and ballet. She has performed in productions of “The Wizard of Oz,” “Alice in Wonderland” and a ballet version of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Yap has trained with O’Sullivan’s Dance Academy and Northern California Dance Conservatory – studying a variety of styles, including ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip-hop, Tahitian, and African. Different cultures and traveling have intrigued Yap, so the opportunity to study in London is a way to combine her passions. Her ballet instructor, who lived and danced in Europe, suggested that Yap audition for the London Contemporary. The school was also recommended by a friend who is currently studying at the London school. Yap said she is excited to embrace dance – both physically and artistically. Although she will not have any academic classes, she plans to pursue a degree in sociology after finishing her studies in London. “It’s all dance, all the time,” said Yap. The increased dedication is not the only transition for Yap. From the metric system to the urban ambience to cultural linguistic expressions, life itself will full of new experiences. Yap hopes her studies in London will open the door to a lifetime of dancing on an elite stage with a professional company. When she is physically unable to perform, Yap plans on forming her own company. The daughter of Eric S. Yap and Valerie Febre-Yap credits her teachers Jen Bradford, Theodore Constant, and Kelly Archer for supplying the inspiration, skills, and guidance to her development as a dancer. She is thankful for the opportunities and support California Dance Conservatory, her family, friends, and mentors have provided her. The art of dancing has impacted her growth as a human being, Yap said. She believes the art form has taught her discipline and an awareness of her surroundings. “There are always distractions and we all have bad days,” she said, “Reminding myself what the ultimate goal is and how much I love to dance has helped me push through those hard times and stay focused.”

Granite Bay grad heads to Tanzania for dance program 2 Feb 2012, 7:51 pm

A Granite Bay High School graduate has made it big time, dancing at Juilliard in New York City with her future sights set on Broadway.

But that’s not all, folks.

Molly Griffin, 20, is raising funds for a program called the Arusha Arts Initiative, which uses dance, drama and music to empower young people in Tanzania. Griffin is going to the east African country with nine other Juilliard students for one month this summer.

This will be the group’s fourth time teaching performing arts in Tanzania, and Griffin’s first time participating.

“I’m really excited, but also nervous,” Griffin said. “I’m shocked I’m able to do this.”

She’s never traveled such a long distance before, let alone for an extended stay. Her group will run a workshop at the Umoja Youth Empowerment Center, a school that provides free education to students age 15 to 30 who have dropped out of government-run schools because of poverty.

Tanzania — home to Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti — is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence from European rule this year, but the nation remains poverty stricken. HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for adults. For children, it’s malaria.

The Arusha Arts Initiative began in 2008, and is now led by Juilliard student Jenna Pollack. Griffin, who graduated from Granite Bay High School in 2009, and Pollard are both third-year students, and two of only 24 pupils in their class.

“Day in and day out, Molly is consistently on top of her game,” Pollack said. “She comes to class calm and prepared, and maintains a sense of humility that is so rare for someone with all of her talent. And it has translated into her work with the Initiative.”

Pollack said Griffin’s long-term goals as an artist and teacher make her a perfect fit.

The program’s 10 students will stay in a hostel and ride the public bus to the youth center each morning, where they will break the Tanzanians into three groups. Griffin will help lead the dance workshop.

“We’re going to teach dance” Griffin said. “Not the technical stuff we learn about at Juilliard, but the basics of moving your body and different ways of expressing yourself. You see the confidence rise in people and that’s the most amazing thing I love about teaching.”

The project was founded on the belief “in the power of change through arts.” The initiative functions on the premise that arts education encourages creative thinking and develops skills needed for independent and collaborative work.

“It’s really important to give people the skills to be more confident about themselves and to know they are powerful, and through that power they can make change in their communities,” Griffin said.

The Juilliard students also expect to be deeply impacted by the experience.

“The Arusha Arts Initiative is one of the most rewarding parts of my life at Juilliard,” Pollack said. “What I love most is the inherent exchange built into the structure. We don’t come in and impose Western aesthetic values or cultivate the next generation of conservatory students. We ignite a cultural and artistic dialogue with the most driven students I’ve ever met.”

Sena Christian can be reached at senac@goldcountrymedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at SenaC_RsvPT.

NCDC Alumni on her way to Africa 2 Feb 2012, 5:30 pm

A Granite Bay High School graduate has made it big time, dancing at Juilliard in New York City with her future sights set on Broadway.

But that’s not all, folks.

Molly Griffin, 20, is raising funds for a program called the Arusha Arts Initiative, which uses dance, drama and music to empower young people in Tanzania. Griffin is going to the east African country with nine other Juilliard students for one month this summer.

This will be the group’s fourth time teaching performing arts in Tanzania, and Griffin’s first time participating.

“I’m really excited, but also nervous,” Griffin said. “I’m shocked I’m able to do this.”

She’s never traveled such a long distance before, let alone for an extended stay. Her group will run a workshop at the Umoja Youth Empowerment Center, a school that provides free education to students age 15 to 30 who have dropped out of government-run schools because of poverty.

Tanzania — home to Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti — is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence from European rule this year, but the nation remains poverty stricken. HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for adults. For children, it’s malaria.

The Arusha Arts Initiative began in 2008, and is now led by Juilliard student Jenna Pollack. Griffin, who graduated from Granite Bay High School in 2009, and Pollard are both third-year students, and two of only 24 pupils in their class.

“Day in and day out, Molly is consistently on top of her game,” Pollack said. “She comes to class calm and prepared, and maintains a sense of humility that is so rare for someone with all of her talent. And it has translated into her work with the Initiative.”

Pollack said Griffin’s long-term goals as an artist and teacher make her a perfect fit.

The program’s 10 students will stay in a hostel and ride the public bus to the youth center each morning, where they will break the Tanzanians into three groups. Griffin will help lead the dance workshop.

“We’re going to teach dance” Griffin said. “Not the technical stuff we learn about at Juilliard, but the basics of moving your body and different ways of expressing yourself. You see the confidence rise in people and that’s the most amazing thing I love about teaching.”

The project was founded on the belief “in the power of change through arts.” The initiative functions on the premise that arts education encourages creative thinking and develops skills needed for independent and collaborative work.

“It’s really important to give people the skills to be more confident about themselves and to know they are powerful, and through that power they can make change in their communities,” Griffin said.

The Juilliard students also expect to be deeply impacted by the experience.

“The Arusha Arts Initiative is one of the most rewarding parts of my life at Juilliard,” Pollack said. “What I love most is the inherent exchange built into the structure. We don’t come in and impose Western aesthetic values or cultivate the next generation of conservatory students. We ignite a cultural and artistic dialogue with the most driven students I’ve ever met.”