Rochester Dance

The Rochester Dance Company (RDC) was founded with the mission to provide dedicated youth ballet dancers with exceptional theatrical stage performances. Since its inception in 2000, RDC has been committed to offering a serious training program and opportunities for students to perform in professional-quality productions. Our annual holiday production of The Nutcracker is a beloved tradition, showcasing the talents of our members with elaborate costumes and hand-painted sets.

The company's early years saw the staging of The Nutcracker at Mayo Civic Center, which received widespread acclaim for its quality and beauty. RDC also collaborated with award-winning storyteller Odds Bodkin for productions such as The Door to Imagination, premiering in 2007. This unique fusion of storytelling and dance has been a hallmark of our performances, engaging audiences with imaginative choreography and costuming.

As a non-profit organization, RDC relies on fees paid by company members, donations, grants, and ticket sales to fund its operations and productions. Each season, we hold open auditions in the spring to select new members for the following year. These auditions are open to ballet students from any Rochester area dance studio, requiring at least two years of ballet training.

Our company is built on the foundation of artistic excellence, community engagement, and a passion for dance. We are proud to offer a platform for young dancers to grow in technique and artistry, while entertaining and inspiring our community through our performances.