Conder dances back to Yuma

A native daughter who owns a major dance company in Phoenix is coming home to perform with a local dance studio and to show young Yuma dancers that they really are getting started in the right place.
 
Carley Conder, a 1991 graduate of Cibola High School, is bringing her company CONDER/dance to Yuma for a performance on Saturday, April 18. The Phoenix performers will share the stage with Ballet Yuma, the dance studio where Conder got her start.
 
"I was very lucky to get the foundation I did without having to leave home while in high school," Conder told The Sun. "I think it is fantastic that people can get training in Yuma that can prepare you for the professional dance world."
 
She added much praise for Ballet Yuma's Jon Cristofori and Kathleen Sinclair.
 
"I'm biased in my opinion that Jon and Kathy have the best gig in town ..." Conder said. "I'm really excited and honored that Ballet Yuma is providing the opportunity for me to bring my company down to perform."
 
The name of the upcoming show is "Current and Classic."
 
CONDER/dance will be the special guest company April 18 when Ballet Yuma stages the classical work "Giselle," plus several modern works. The performance is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Snider Auditorium, 400 S. 6th Ave. Admission is $10, $12 and $15. Tickets are available in advance at Dillard's and will be sold at the door. For more information call 345-1534.
 
"Giselle," first performed in Paris in 1841, tells the story of a country girl's loss and betrayal after she falls in love with a count who is posing as a commoner.
 
One of Conder's performers also has ties to Yuma. Dancer Holly Wooldridge's parents are Carl and Susanne Woodridge and her grandmother is Marilyn Eades.
 
After leaving Yuma, Conder went on to earn a master's of fine arts degree in modern dance from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Her choreographic work has been commissioned by many academic institutions and dance companies, including University of California-Santa Barbara, Arizona State University, Brigham Young University, University of Utah and University of Texas-Pan American. Ballet Yuma has also commissioned Conder's work.
 
After dancing for numerous companies in Arizona and Los Angeles she created CONDER/dance in 2003.
 
"We have enjoyed a full performance seasons in Arizona, as well as shows in Alaska, Utah and recently New York as part of the Wave Rising Festival," Conder said. "(We) have also had the opportunity to go into Temp and Mesa high schools for artistic residencies, as well as teach creative dance at ASU Art Museum's Family Fun Day."

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IF YOU GO ...
What: Current and Classic
Who: CONDER/dance and Yuma Ballet
When: April 18
Where: Snider Auditorium, 400 S. 6th Ave.
Cost: $10, $12 and $15
•For more information, call 345-1534