A place to learn.

A place to grow.

A place to belong.

We are so Glad You're Here

In The Spotlight Preprofessional Conservatory has been providing consistent, technical training to dancers in the Central Valley since 2006. We provide each dancer with the technical skills required to pursue dance at a collegiate and professional level, upon graduation from high school. We believe that training in the art of dance, in any genre, provides essential life skills that benefit students for a lifetime.

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

-W.B. Yeats

Our Program Philosophy

At In The Spotlight, our philosophy has always been that dance is an art form that requires years of study for its pupils to truly become proficient. In the age of instant, we believe that the gradual practice of perfection dance requires is of even greater value than in previous generations. We know the true value of self-expression and hard work that dance training brings can never be measured by an external award. Therefore, our focus remains on education. We provide as many opportunities as possible for our dancers to train with industry leaders. We are proponents of masterclasses, conventions, and intensives. At the core of our Preprofessional Company is the motto “Training Over Trophies!”

Welcome

Preparatory Program

This technical program is where the foundation of dance is built. Whether a child is dancing for recreation, performance or competitive purposes, technical classes should come first and foremost in all of our dancer’s training. In addition to the many physical benefits of formal dance training, ballet helps develop the mind and attitude of the dancer with discipline, focus, and appreciation of structure which are critical attributes for continued dance education. Ballet training is essential for dancers who desire to excel in all dance repertoires.

Pre-Professional Program

Our pre-professional dance conservatory is an exceptional dance program offering technique based classes at the highest level. The conservatory is designed for dancers who have a desire to pursue dance to a higher level of technique, venture into performance and stage artistry with the goal of continuing dance in higher education or as a professional career. Additionally, In the Spotlight offers a superior Ballet Conservatory program that provides advanced training in ballet technique, pointe, and variations, providing a pre-professional training program for serious ballet students. All conservatory dancers are grouped according to ability level with age consideration.

Company program

In The Spotlight's Company Program is a ballet-based program designed to provide a strong technical foundation while building individual artistry. This program is designed to fulfill the needs of serious dance students who plan to transition from a pre-professional studio to a professional dance career or university dance program. Dancers are also given the opportunity to train and work with guest choreographers. Company members are showcased in their own spring concert and attend various convention/competition events throughout the year.

Minimum age for consideration is 6.

Company Accolades

Through the years In The Spotlight Company members have received special opportunities to perform throughout the community, United States and world at events such as:

- Nervi International Dance Festival, Italy

- International Summer School Italia, Italy

- “Radio City Rockette’s Christmas Spectacular” at The Save Mart Center

- “The Wizard of Oz” National Tour at Saroyan Theater

- Central California Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”

- Special guest artists in CMT’s production of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”

- Fresno Rogue Festival

- Harlem Globe Trotters Half Time Show

Alumni

Our dancers have gone on to study dance at universities such as California State Long Beach, California State Fullerton and UC Irvine. We have had students accepted to prestigious training programs with companies such as Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet in San Fransisco, Hubbard Street Ballet in Chicago and Launch at the Brea Space in LA. On the professional scene our alumni have been employed by entertainment enterprises such as The Walt Disney Company, the NFL, have worked on LA based commercial projects, and have been featured in Dance Spirit Magazine.

daytime ballet training and academic program

Welcome to In The Spotlight Ballet Conservatory, the most exceptional pre-professional classical ballet training program in Central California. This elite, boutique program for talented, highly-motivated dancers training for a career in classical ballet or concert dance, is the most rigorous, comprehensive, and personalized program in the San Joaquin Valley. In addition to intensive, impeccable ballet training, our students practice strength and conditioning on a daily basis for injury prevention in addition to training extensively in contemporary work and other dance styles. Our program is designed to optimize students technical growth and artistic development. This unique approach creates dancers who are extremely versatile and well-prepared to tackle both classical and contemporary repertoire. At In The Spotlight Ballet Conservatory, we understand that dancers have a limited window of years during which excellent training is critical. Our focus is always on the long game: a lasting and rewarding career in dance artistry. Dancers in this program train five days per week with regular breaks for academics. Students in the academic conservatory are homeschooled or attend charter schools that support independent study. The academic sessions are overseen by credentialed teachers and tutors who understand the unique personalities and demands that accompany dancers. Much of the training for these dancers happens during the day, with the option of additional classes in the evening. In this exclusive environment, students will form friendships and bonds with like minded individuals who share the same passion, drive, and determination for a professional dance career. If you are seeking a dance conservatory to belong, to learn and to grow, you’ve found your home.

Classical Company

Our hand selected Classical Company consists of students who were hand selected to be a part of our competitive ballet program. This training is done in conjuncion with their regularly scheduled ballet classes. Students may be offered the opportunity train, perform and compete as a solosit, demi soloist, or corps member.

YAGP Awards

Multiple semi-finals Top 12 in classical

Multiple semi-finals Top 12 in contemporary

1st place semi-finals junior contemporary

3rd place semi-finals junior classical

1st place semi-finals pre-competitive contemporary

1st place semi-finals senior contemporary

Prize winners at World Ballet Competition

Multiple invitations to YAGP final round in New York City

Summer Acceptances

School of American Ballet

American Ballet Theatre

San Francisco Ballet

Royal Ballet School

The Harid Conservatory

Boston Ballet

Ballet West

The Rock School for Dance

Joffrey Ballet

Orlando Ballet

Pacific Northwest Ballet

lead nutcracker rolls

Clara/Marie

Fritz

Nutcracker General

Dewdrop

Mouse Queen

Doll

OUR FACULTY

Ashley Gorden originally opened and continuously ran In The Spotlight Dance Company in 2006, before bringing her program to America’s Kids in Motion in 2018. She has trained hundreds of aspiring dancers, and has sent many onto successful collegiate and professional dance careers. Ashley is passionate about dance education. She looks to instill respect for self, instructors, peers choreography and the process of training as a dancers into each student who walks into her class.

Aubree Robbins began her training in classical ballet at the age of 10 at Cynthia Merrill School of Performing Arts. She has since trained in American Ballet Theater curriculum with California Arts Academy and the Severance Ballet Conservatory. Aubree graduated in December of 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from CSU Fresno. Throughout her career, she has performed in numerous ballet productions and events both locally and abroad. Since 2012 she has taught as head of the Ballet Department for In The Spotlight, and has since taken several students to participate in the highly acclaimed Youth America Grand Prix. She is passionate about dance and hopes to impart a joy and love for dance in each of her students.

Rachel Durrant first began her pre-professional dance training when In the Spotlight opened in 2006 under the direction of Ashley Gorden. She danced competitively as an In The Spotlight, Company Member for eight years receiving many high point, technical awards and scholarships. She had the opportunity to travel across the country as a Company Member with LA Dance Magic. Rachel has performed in local shows such as the 2010 St. Agnes Fashion Show and has played numerous lead roles for the Lively Arts Foundation’s Nutcracker. Rachel has taken master classes with many industry professionals and has worked directly with award-winning teachers and choreographers such as Chris Dupre, Jackie Sleight, Tina D’Amato, Duncan Cooper, DJ Guthrie, Christian Vincent, and Dejan Tubic. Additionally, as an ITS Company Member, she has had special performance opportunities such as being in the opening number for the the New York, Radio City Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular and performing as a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz National Tour when these prestigious companies came to Fresno. Rachel was also among the first to be offered the opportunity to audition for America’s Got Talent. She began teaching dance at In the Spotlight in 2013 and started working with the Company Program in 2014. In addition to receiving choreography awards, her routines have been recognized for technical skill, Best in Show, and judge’s standout awards throughout California. While she specializes in jazz, lyrical, and contemporary movement, Rachel has always loved all styles of dance and encourages her students to be the most versatile artists they can be.

Mr. Anton Romonov trained and graduated from the world renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. He has gained experience working in many companies worldwide including the Kremlin Ballet Theater in Moscow. Ballet Municipal of Lima, Peru, Ballet Municipal of Rio De Janero, National and Municipal Ballet of Paraguay, The Bayerische Staatsballet in Munchen, Germany, American National Ballet, Toyota City Ballet, Japan and numerous others. He is also a recipient of the Bronze Medal at the professional ballet competition in Bento de Danza, Brazil and the Gold Medal at Interdanza as well as a special award as the best male dancer of the year. Anton was also a finalist at Paris International Ballet Competition in Paris, France.

Hunter Mikus began her dance training with In The Spotlight at 8 Years old. Hunter quickly went on to receive regional and national titles competing with the ITS Company throughout the years. After graduating high school she continued her dance education in renowned training programs: Alonzo King LINES Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Professional Program. Hunter’s elite explorative education allows her to bring new dialog and ideas to our current students. She looks forward to sharing her education and her love of dance with the students of ITS.

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In The Spotlight Dance Conservatory

1365 N. Willow Ave. #160

Clovis, CA 93619

Email: agorden@americaskidsinmotion.com

Phone: (559) 324-7946