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In order to accomplish a lifté dancers need balance.
Photo by Yetzabell Rojas
By Yetzabell Rojas
Staff

Stage performance is important for any dance company. 

But for ConDanza Repertoire Company & Educational Community Outreach Project, it is also about transforming from a semi-professional company to a professional company.

“We hope that we can grow on a state level,” said Cesar R. Degollado, the founder of ConDanza. “We’re hoping that we can establish ourselves as a face of contemporary dance in Tucson.”

Degollado started the dance group in 2009. He named his company ConDanza. When translated from Spanish to English, ConDanza means “with dance.”

Degollado’s idea was that “with dance,” the company would succeed as a community outreach project. Starting with only six members, the troupe now counts 15 dancers who perform for free at after-school programs and fundraisers. 

ConDanza hopes to establish a place for dance in education, just like other performing arts.

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ConDanza members follow their instructors’ directions during
rehearsal. Photo by Yetzabell Rojas
“Dance is just as important as acting or any other art,” Degollado said.

Tony Juarez, 23, dances for ConDanza and attributes his growth as a person to the company. 

“The company is a big part of my life,” Juarez said. “It taught me the value of discipline and commitment.” 

Maddy Greene, 20, a member of ConDanza, said dancing helps with her fine art studies at the University of Arizona.

“I think it gives me a good work ethic,” Greene said. “It really gives me something to think about because I’m an artist at the U of A.”

ConDanza is located downtown on East Toole Avenue and North Fifth Avenue. The studio offers classes year-round for dancers 15 and older.

A dance class will be held this summer for children 14 and younger. Degollado hopes to create a year-round class for these young dancers. 


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