Our Mission:
“Stretch your imagination and create outside of the box”
The Conservatory of Ballet & Theatrical Arts was established in 2006 as a select
dance and theatre program in Blackfoot, Idaho. CBTA
educates and encourages students of all ages in their "quality not quantity" technique
and artistic classes. Founded
by two sisters with one purpose; to bring their love of the Performing Arts to Blackfoot and the
surrounding area. CBTA
believes
it will be a great asset to this community and will help dreams come alive. Basic
essentials
for life will be learned and students goals can be reached through the
discipline and creativity that dance and theatre brings to it's students.
Keep Performing Arts in your community by joining us in the mission for achieving quality Art.
Nikkii Riley-Artistic Director, Jamie Warren-Co Director
The Conservatory of Ballet
& Theatrical Arts 208-785-0687
Studio Address:
Mailing Address:
260 W Judicial St
645 S Pendelbury Ln
Blackfoot ID 83221
Blackfoot, Id 83221
nikkii@thecbta.com
jamiebug77@hotmail.com
briannakirkham@yahoo.com
MAP TO STUDIO
CBTA Directors and Instructors:
Nikkii
Riley
Founder
of CBTA -Artistic and Head Ballet Director
Started her training in 1984, at the Idaho Falls Ballet Society, when it was
under the direction of her grandma, Marilyn Peery. She continued her training with
Cheryl Crouch at Dance Arts Academy in Idaho Falls, Idaho until the age of 13 when
she received a scholarship to dance at Marius Zirra
School of Ballet in Pocatello, Idaho
were she trained on Pointe and in Advanced Ballet until her senior year when she
returned to Dance Arts Acdemay to perform Giselle, a Pa De Deux on Pointe in their
Spring Varity Show. In 1999 Ms. Riley won First Place in the Idaho State Drama Competition and
was double entered at State every year while attending Blackfoot High School. After
high school Ms. Riley went on to train with Marla Hansen, the director of the Idaho
Dance Theater, from 1999-2001 at Boise State University in advanced ballet
classes. While majoring in Theater with a minor in Dance she danced in Del Soul,
a partnering group that performs the Mambo, Samba, Swing, Jitter-bug, cabaret, and
Funk Jazz for local events. In 2001 she continued training at local ballet schools in Boise after getting married and starting a family. She began training at Canyon County
Dance Academy in Caldwell with Lori Evans, a Company dancer for Idaho Dance Theater
and former advance ballet
teacher for CCDA, where Ms. Riley Performed on pointe in their Spring Show "Peter
Pan". Nikkii loves to dance and perform and feels it is fundamental as a teacher,
dancer and performer to continue training to stay strong
and inspired. This is why she remains
to
take dailey technique classes and intestive workshops. She has attended Boise State University's
"DanceFest" workshop in 2007and ISU Movement
Workshop in 2008. Nikkii loves to teach
and has had training on how to work with and teach children over her years of working.
She looks forward to passing her love of dance through teaching and performing.
Sarah Jackson
Theatre Director
At a very young age, Sarah realized that she had a passion for theatre and the Performing
Arts. She thrives on the excitment, challenge and fullfillment of being on
stage. Sarah is a native of Snake River; she loves this community and is thrilled
to have a part in furthering the Performing Arts here. While in high school, Sarah competed with the Drama Club at the state competition. She was the
2003 Snake River Jr. Miss,
and also served as Student Body President. Her involvement in high school provided
her many local performing opportunities. While Sarah attended BYU-Idaho, she was awarded Miss BYU-Idaho 2005 and the "Best Actress
Award" in 2007 for her role as Percy Talbot in The Spitfire Grill.
Sarah's forte is Musical Theatre; while at BYU-I
she studied voice under Elizabeth Bossard. Her other studies included a Bachelor's Degree of Health Science and Clusters in Child Development and in Spanish. Sarah
went on to perform for two seasons at the Playmill Theater in West Yellowstone.
While at the Playmill, she taught workshops in the "Playmill Theatre
Summer Camp For Children." Sarah has worked with children through
coaching gymnastics for twelve years. She recognizes the importance of instilling
confidence, hard work and dedication in young people through a caring and encouraging
environment. Sarah believes
strongly that theatrical performing provides a rare opportunity for the performer
to gain self-awareness and interpersonal insight, while at the same time providing
a unique and wonderful service to the audience.
Favorite Roles: Dolly Levi, Hello Dolly; Ariel, Footloose,
Percy Talbot, Spitfire Grill; Baker's Wife, Into the Woods; Tumbler/Dancer,
Annie Get Your Gun; Dancer, West Side Story; The Seedling,
The Garden; Duffy; Annie; Shelley, Saturday's Warrior.
ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS:
Douglas B Peery
Makeup
Artist/BackStage Director
CBTA would like to thank Doug for helping out with all our productions. His
an amazing artist with many fans, inculding us a his biggest!
Vincent Speirs: Stage Hand, Christina Vanhorn Makeup/Stage Hand/Office, Karen Robinson:
Donator, Pat Deru: Photography, Dayley Floral: Donator, Brant Peery: Builder/Contractor,
Idaho Falls School Of Ballet: Costume Rentals.
Annual Guest Teachers
Jamie Warren
Co-Artistic and Director in Theatre, Improv, Panomime and Film
Has studied acting and been performing on stage for 15 years. Starting
at a young age she danced with the Idaho Falls Ballet Society. With her entertaining,
energetic and outgoing personality it wasn’t hard for her to steal the spotlight.
In the Idaho State Drama Competitions Mrs. Warren high honors and went double entered
with Humorous, Dramatic and Pantomime every year in high school, winning Second
Place in Pantomime her junior year. Mrs. Warren was the President of her class,
the Drama club and she entertained crowds as the funny Mascot her senior year at
BHS. She has supported and performed in community theatre plays, which include Hagar
the Horrible, Annie, A Rented Christmas, and Juke Box Saturday Night. She performed
at the Eastern Idaho State Fair in 1999 and won First Place in the Farm Bureau Talent
Show. Her most recent studies have been with Broadway Talent in Salt Lake City where
she began working with professional photographers and an agent. While at Broadway
Talent she attended workshops which include “Professional Headshots”, “Audition
Opportunities”, and “Auditioning for T.V Film” with professional actor David Stevens.
Jamie loves the performing Arts and wants to give the community a place to learn,
imagine, and create. She
is currently supporting her husband while he attends college and plans persue her
acting career in Phoenix, Arizonia.
Brianna Kirkham
Vocal Coach/Song Writter
Ms.
Kirkham has been singing for the public for 22 years. Her mother and her write songs,
which can be heard on the Radio (Sounds of Sunday on KLCE 97.3).
Brianna was the President of the Show Choir in High School, and performed
at Disney World in Florida. She went to State Vocal Competitions, and was selected
to perform at the State Choir Competition in
Boise, in 1998. Mrs. Kirkham has never stopped performing and has been plays such as; Wizard of OZ, Westside story, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream
coat, and other miscellaneous performances. She has had 14 years piano training,
and 12 years dance training (ballet, jazz, clog, tap). Her dream has always been
to start a children’s Show Choir in Southeast Idaho. Helping as the Vocal Coach
for C.B.T.A. is the start to fulfilling her dream. Her areas of expertise include;
vocal strengthening, breathing techniques, voice projection, choir voice, solo voice,
harmonization, pitch coaching, correcting tone deafness, Show singing, Broadway
musicals, and expressive singing.
She is dedicated to improving children’s lives,
including her 3 young ones at home. Mrs. Kirkham’s over-all goal is to improve the
life of a child by, helping them achieve their goals and showing them what
incredible talents they have. She is currently attending college
to become a nurse and is taking care of her three children in Idaho Falls.
Mindee Zager
Jazz, Hip Hop and Lyrial Dance
Ms.
Zager started her
training in dance in 1983 with the award winning Salt Lake City
STARS, when it was under the direction of Pat Rhodes, the founder of STARS.
Mindee danced for 9 years as a member of STARS National Dance Program in Salt Lake
City. She Dance for Blackfoot STARS under
the direction of Marva Lu Kesler. She dance in solo competitions
throughout her young dance career placing First and Second numerous times. Was a Member of
Blackfoot High
School’s Cheerleading Team for three years. Her Senior year she danced on
the schools Broncadettes Dance Team, was Head Cheerleader and
taught for Paunie’s
School of
Dance.
Ms. Zager won the Achievement Award in Excellence in 1998 from CSI IDAA and
the Talent Award for her own chorgraphed piece in Jr. Miss that same year.
1998-1999 she was a Member of
USA
Allstar Cheerleading Team where she performed in New Year’s Tour in
Paris,
France
in 1999. Mindee has trained with Broadway Choreographer Raphael Garcia, an
MTV Dancer and a NYC Ballet Member. Late that year she became the Director
of Funktion and in 1999 won 2 “Best Overall”
Awards. 2001-2003 Ms.Zager was an
Instructor/Choreographer for X-treme Dance where they were awarded
“Best in Show”, “Best in Showmanship”, and Judges Choice for American Dancestand. In 2003 she became the Director of
X-treme Dance Studio where they were awarded
“Best in Show” and “Best Overall” for School Days
and
a
warded “Sweepstakes Champion” for Nelly Mix
hip hop routine in the Dance
America
Vegas Classic in
Las Vegas,
Nevada were they where
the only team to receive a standing ovation from the audience for their
routine.
Mindee was an accredited judge for STARS National
Competition 2004 and became the Director for STARS National Dance for Gem State
STARS in 2005 where they received “Best in Show”
for
Hollywood
Heroes at STARS Regional Competition and was
Named “Idaho
StateChampions” in STARS Regional Competition. Her teams received
three “High Point” Awards and several
“First Place”
Awards at STARS
Regional Competition,and
named “Beginning Category National Champions” at STARS National Competition in
Las
Vegas, Nevada.
After turning STARS over to her assistant she Instructed Hip Hop for the Gem State Stars for two
years, winning several superiors and judges choice awards for showmanship and her
choreography. Mindee is always looking to further her dance training and
better her teaching. Currently she is directing the elementary dance and music
departmant in a small town in Utah.
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