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american ballet theatreIRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ — The Maple Conservatory of Dance is now accepting male and female applicants ages 7-17 for the 2013 Charles A. Maple, Sr. Scholarship. Auditions are scheduled on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 1824 Kaiser Avenue in Irvine.

Dancers ages 7 to 11 will check in at 5:00 p.m.; audition 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Dancers ages 12 to 17 (previous training required) check in at 6:00 p.m.; audition 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Practice clothes are required for both groups: leotards and tights for girls; t-shirts and tights for boys. Ballet slippers are required for the older group; socks are acceptable for younger dancers.

"We are looking for dancers with a natural gift for movement, musicality and the anatomical structure suited to classical dance," said Charles Maple, artistic director and co-founder of the Conservatory. "We are committed to nurturing young talent so that no matter what field of interest they pursue, they have the discipline and confidence to take on life's challenges."

The Charles A. Maple, Sr. Scholarship is available to young dancers who demonstrate the financial need for, as well as drive and commitment to classical ballet training. No previous training is necessary for dancers under the age of 12. Older dancers will be expected to have received training.

Maple Scholars will receive full or partial tuition and be placed in the appropriate classes based on level of maturity, skill and stamina. The scholarship will also cover uniforms and shoes.

The conservatory's world-class faculty has distinguished credentials including American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Austin, Basel Ballet Switzerland, Ballet West, Ballet Magnificat and Paris Opera Ballet.

"The discipline of classical training is the foundation of our program, however we emphasize artistry and experiencing the joy of dance," Maple added. "We have created a caring and healthy environment that challenges our students with the highest standards of excellence."

Maple Conservatory of Dance alumni have successfully auditioned for the most selective dance programs around the world. Recent alumnus and former Newport Beach resident, Bryn Watkins, is now an apprentice with American Ballet Theatre. During her senior year at the Maple Conservatory, she was a semi-finalist for the U.S. Presidential Scholar and received the honors from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and YoungArts Gold Level award.

The scholarship is named in honor of Maple's father, a prominent Harvard University alumnus and Los Angeles attorney. Maple, Sr. nurtured and supported his son's ballet training and career as a stellar, worldwide dancer.

The Maple Conservatory offers classes in ballet technique, pointe, variations and men's technique and variations, as well as in modern, jazz, character, choreography, improvisation, acting and music.

The deadline to reserve an audition time is February 22, 2013. Maple Scholars will be announced by March 31 and may begin training any time after April 15, 2013. The Maple Conservatory will work with the recipients' schedules. For more information please visit the scholarship page at http://www.mapleconservatory.com/ .

About the Maple Conservatory of Dance:

Founded by Charles Maple and Kathy Crade, the Maple Conservatory of Dance is committed to providing Orange County with world-class ballet training. The conservatory offers a program designed to take students from their first introduction to the art of dance, through a full course of ballet study. Its non-profit organization, The Maple Youth Ballet, is devoted to providing young dancers with the exposure, training and performance opportunities to bridge the gap between students and professional dancers, while at the same time, offering Orange County and surrounding Southern California communities with the highest quality performances at affordable prices. For more information about classes and future performances please visit www.MapleConservatory.com . Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mapleBallet or on Twitter @MapleBallet.

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