Welcome to Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble’s 27th Season

CARE has been delighting children and adults with family-friendly ballets for over a quarter of a century. Our one-hour performances make classical ballets and children’s stories come alive through dance. Our dancers will soar on the state-of-the-art stage of the East Grand Rapids High School Performing Arts Center with convenient free parking. Busy families can choose a Saturday morning performance or a Saturday or Sunday matinee on our performance weekends. Plus, we always offer an opportunity for our young audience to talk with the ballet dancers at the conclusion of a performance. We want to nurture a love of ballet!

Coppelia

The ballet tells the story of an old inventor, named Dr. Coppelius, and Coppelia, the life-size doll he created to sit in the window of his workshop. The doll is so lifelike that a young villager named Frantz instantly falls in love with her and breaks his engagement to the young Swanilda. Eventually, Frantz realizes the doll is not real and he and Swanilda are reunited and the entire village celebrates at their wedding.

• Saturday, October 12, 2019 @ 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM
• Sunday, October 13, 2019 @ 3:00 PM
• Performances at East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

This original ballet, based on Clement C. Moore’s familiar poem and set to traditional holiday music, has become a Thanksgiving Weekend tradition in Grand Rapids. Mischievous mice, dancing stockings, magical toys and Santa with his prancing reindeer combine to create a wonderful hour of family entertainment. Even the youngest members of your family will enjoy this show! The audience is welcome to join Santa and the cast on stage after the performance so don’t forget your camera!

• Friday, November 29, 2019 @ 7 PM
• Saturday, November 30, 2019 @ 11 AM & 3 PM
• Sunday, December 1, 2019 @ 3 PM
• Performances at East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center

Peter and the Wolf

The classic story of “Peter and the Wolf” is told through music, narration and dance. Fearless young Peter disobeys his Grandfather and ventures outside the gate into the meadow to see his friends, the Bird, the Duck and the Cat. The situation takes a dramatic turn when a Wolf appears. Join Peter and the Hunters as they try to capture the Wolf and save the Bird, the Duck and the Cat.

The show will include Glazunov’s “The Seasons”, a new whimsical ballet choreographed by artistic director Heather Liskiewitz. The ballet will be a symbolic journey through the four seasons, with a unique presence of how the seasons are often represented in Michigan. The program will also include Judy Genson-Wadsworth’s light-hearted “Little Bit of Country” which will make everyone want to dance in their seats.

• Saturday, February 29, 2020 @ 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM
• Sunday, March 1, 2020 @ 3 PM
• Performances at East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center

CARE Ensemble

Who are the Ensemble Members?

The Ensemble is comprised of 25 ballet students ranging in age from 12–19. Additional dancers are selected through an open audition process to complete the casts for each ballet. A typical ballet performance includes 40–50 dancers ranging in age from 4 to 19.

These are our most accomplished dancers who are selected through performance experience or by open audition by the artistic director. Ensemble members must take two classes a week plus a pointe class for girls or “guy” class for boys. 

CARE Directors

Heather Liskiewitz

Artistic Director

Miss Heather debuted as CARE Ballet’s Artistic Director during the 2017-18 season with Cinderella. Previously Ballet Mistress and Costume Seamstress, Heather received her early training with Judy Genson and performed with the Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble. Graduating Magna Cum Laude, she received a BFA in dance from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Heather has performed professionally with the Minnesota Ballet, Ballet San Antonio, Continental Ballet and the Illinois Ballet. She is also a freelance dancer and choreographer. Her choreography credits include works for Wright State University, Gem City Ballet, Young People’s Ballet Theatre, and the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.

Judith VandenBosch

Stage Manager, Ballet Mistress, Head Costume Seamstress

Judith began stage managing during the 2017-17 performance of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. She brings an organized and direct element backstage while also emphasizing safety. During rehearsals, she assists the Artistic Director as Ballet Mistress. Additionally, she is Head Seamstress in charge of the beautiful costumes seen on stage.

Judy Genson-Wadsworth

Founder, Artistic Director Emeritus

After 25 years of inspiring young dancers on stage, Mrs. Genson-Wadsworth retired as Artistic Director of CARE during the 2017-18 season. She began her training locally with Florence Cassell, Zita Harris, and Sally Seven. She continued her studies in New York City with Vincenzo Celli, himself a student of Enrico Cecchetti. She also took instruction in the Russian technique from Richard Thomas and Barbara Fallis. Genson toured New York and New Jersey with the Young Ballet, an ensemble group which performed lecture demonstrations and classical variations from most of the white ballets. After her return to Grand Rapids, Judy joined Grand Rapids Civic Ballet in 1972 where she was principal dancer performing virtually all of the works in the Company’s repertoire. She was named the director of Grand Rapids Civic Ballet Junior Company at its inception in 1981 and assistant to the director of the main Company in 1982. After hanging up her toes shoes in 1987, Genson was the Acting Artistic Director until she became the Company’s Business Manager.

Trent Wadsworth

Technical Director

In addition to being Technical Director/Production Manager for CARE, Trent Wadsworth is the Manager and Technical Director for the East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center and manages Pioneer Auditorium in East Grand Rapids. Trent works with Creative Mercenaries and has worked with Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Circle Theatre, Grand Rapids Jewish Theatre, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Ballet, Cornerstone College, West Michigan Jazz, and is a member of the United States Institute of Theatre Technology.

Anne King

Educational Outreach Coordinator

Anne has spent the last 44 years working with children and adults as a teacher, counselor, Principal and trainer. She has retired from the Grand Rapids Public Schools as their education and prevention specialist. She has presented to hundreds of classrooms on topics as varied as healthy highs, substance use and abuse, nutrition and wellness, harassment, bullying, self-esteem and more. She is a frequent speaker for parent nights and has conducted dozens of training for teachers and support staff. Anne is committed to the education of all children, particularly those living in poverty.

School Performance Program

How many dollars does it take to bring students to the ballet?

History of Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble (CARE Ballet)

In 2006 the CARE Conservatory of Ballet was established with a permanent home with studios for students age 3 to adult to offer classes and provide rehearsal space. The Conservatory now offers all forms of dance training from classical ballet, yoga, pilates, musical theater, tap and many more. Approximately 175 students now study at the Conservatory. The performance repertoire has grown to 25 ballets all with original choreography. The Company Ensemble has grown to 32 members and CARE casts for public performances now put 60 to 70 students onto the stage in full costume, with professional sets, lighting and music. Over the last 26 years CARE has not lost sight of its core mission of creating a learning environment that fosters support and encouragement for its students while introducing young audiences to the joy of a classical ballet performance.

Why dance with CARE Ballet?

CCB Faculty

Harrison Centener

Harrison is a senior at Forest Hills Eastern and has danced at CARE Ballet for 9 years. He has studied at Joffrey Chicago Summer Intensive and at Ballet Chicago. Harrison has been teaching the Young Guys class since 2018 and since then has developed an enthusiastic and dedicated following of students!

Judy Genson-Wadsworth

Founder, Business Manager, Instructor

Mrs. Genson-Wadsworth has been involved in the dance world for most of her life. She is a former ballerina with Grand Rapids Civic Ballet and The Young Ballet Company in New York City. A longtime teacher, she also is known for her choreography in many local productions. Mrs. Genson-Wadsworth co-founded Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble in 1992 and served as Artistic Director until 2017.

Heather Liskiewitz

Artistic Director and Instructor

Heather received her early training with Judy Genson and performed with the Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble. Graduating Magna Cum Laude, she received a BFA in dance from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Heather has performed professionally with the Minnesota Ballet, Ballet San Antonio, Continental Ballet and the Illinois Ballet. She is also a freelance dancer and choreographer. Her choreography credits include works for Wright State University, Gem City Ballet, Young People’s Ballet Theatre, and the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.

Melissa Tungl

Melissa started practicing yoga after the birth of her first child in 2006 as a means to nourish and nurture her body and spirit. As her life evolved by relocating to West Michigan and adding to her family, so has her yoga practice. Melissa is committed to a lifelong study of yoga on and off the mat. Since completing certification standards up to ERYT500 she now enjoys sharing this with others. Melissa appreciates many styles of yoga from meditation and breathing exercises to the more physical practices of posture. Her goal is for students to feel empowered in their bodies, calm in the mind, and light in the soul.

Judith VandenBosch

Judith has been teaching for 24 years. In 2014, she started to educate herself in injury prevention through Perfect Form Physiotherapy, online training courses based in Australia. She is knowledgeable in fascia release techniques and proper training to help prevent injuries. She took Teacher Training Level 1 Workshop with Lisa Howell, B.Phty to perfect all her knowledge. To help dancers progress faster, Judith teaches major key aspects of improving technique and perspective. Judith is trained in the Progressive Ballet Technique, a program developed by Marie Walton-Mahon in Australia. Teaching this conditioning class for ballet dancers helps students understand the depth of training muscle memory in achieving their personal best in classical ballet. She is also licensed to teach Zumba, Yoga, balance body barre and group fitness classes.

Sue Wilson

Sue danced professionally with the Grand Rapids Civic Ballet under Sally Sevens. She graduated from University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Additionally, Sue has been an American Council of Exercise certified group fitness Instructor for 26 years. She continues to share her love of dance being a Liturgical Dance Director at Fifth Reformed Church and teaching ballet and pilates at CARE Ballet.

Nathan Young

Nathan Young began dancing at the age of thirteen under the direction of Rebecca-Miller Stalcup, Melinda Tobian, and Mark Bush in Little Rock, AR. Nathan attended summer intensives such as Long Beach Ballet, Joffrey Midwest, Joffrey Chicago, and Ballet West. In 2013, Nathan graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Fine arts in Ballet Performance. After graduation, Nathan began dancing professionally with Nashville Ballet, working there for four seasons. He currently dances with the Grand Rapids Ballet in Michigan. Nathan has danced in works by George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Jiri Kylian, Jennifer Archibald, Trey McIntyre, Paul Vasterling, and Bronislava Nijinska.