Meet the Artistic Director
Aerin Holt, Artistic Director of California Contemporary Ballet
Learn about the creative mind and talented choreographer empowering our Company
​
Aerin Holt
Dance Educator & Choreographer
Founder & Director of California DanceArts
Founder & Artistic Director of CCBallet
​
Groomed as a choreographer by her teachers, Aerin is an award-winning, international choreographer specializing in works for theatrical events, stage productions, competitions and full length ballets. Ms. Holt’s versatile choreography ranges from classical ballet, contemporary ballet and modern dance, neo classical and jazz styles. Her choreography has been seen in Europe as well as the U.S. She is the Artistic Director of California Contemporary Ballet, a company which she founded and has led for over 20 years.
​
Please see additional information here: Aerin Holt's Biography
For a list of Aerin's choreographic works, click here <
​
California Contemporary Ballet (CCB) has been awarded grants from several foundations, including the Hezlep Family Foundation, Time Warner Foundation and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and continues to draw financial support from its generous patrons. In 2010, California Contemporary was nominated for a Lester Horton Award for best presentation.
“There was still no likelihood that we could make a living from dance. We were doing it because we loved it… We realized how full we felt; we were surrounded by music and dancing and joy.”
Alvin Ailey
See Samples of Aerin's Choreography on YouTube
​
A list of Aerin’s choreographic works include:
​
Aerin Holt’s THE SNOW QUEEN
A Full-Length Ballet. The story is adapted from Han Christian Andersen’s fairytale with music composed by Randall Michael Tobin. Ms. Holt created a full length contemporary ballet.
Glendale Community College (2000 - presently performed annually through 2019)
Lanterman Theater, Los Angeles, CA. (Premier 1998, 1999)
​
Aerin Holt’s THE LEGEND OF JACK FROST
A Full-Length Ballet. Premiered at Glendale Community College December 2014.
Story developed and written in collaboration with composer Dwight Bernard Mikklesen and performed with large cast. The production, developed by Ms. Holt, features her brand of classical and contemporary ballet choreography and originally composed music by Dwight Bernard Mikklesen. The story and ballet reflect the poor behavior of the lead character and his ultimate transformation.
​
Aerin Holt’s THUMBELINA
A Full Length Ballet. Premiered at Glendale Community College June 2013. Performed again in June 2014.
The full-length ballet with large cast brings to life the story by Hans Christian Andersen. The large production developed by Ms. Holt features her brand of classical and contemporary ballet choreography with originally music composed by Dwight Bernard Mikklesen, custom made costumes, large scaled sets and backdrops creating a perspective of the fairy sized world.
​
SAUDADE
A 20 minute Ballet. Premiered at California DanceArts' Dance Street Theatre 2011. Performed again in 2015.
Pronounced Sow-da-jee: a Portuguese word which describes a deep nostalgic longing or loss for experiences that once brought excitements as well being, which now triggers the senses and makes on live again.
​
CHEATING, LYING, STEALING
(Premiered at Glendale Community College 2010.)
As part of CCBallet’s series working with the music of Pulitzer Prize winning composer, David Lang. Filmed in the summer of 2009 by Dyron Pacheco. Ms. Holt’s choreography explores human nature as it relates to current relationships in world business and political affairs.
​
PIERCED
(Premiered at Glendale Community College 2010) As part of CCBallet’s series working with the music of Pulitzer Prize winning composer, David Lang. Filmed in the summer of 2009 by Dyron Pacheco. Ms. Holt’s choreography explores the qualities and motion relating to acts of piercing through body modification, piercing as self sacrifice and emotional piercing- as in pierced thru the heart.
PREDEA
(Premiered at Glendale Community College 2010) The hunted and the hunters co-exist. Music composed by Janet Hay. Filmed in the summer of 2009 by Dyron Pacheco.
QUINTESSENCE
A duet based on a study of an extraordinary energy field that pushes and disperses particles away from one another while, at the same time, pulling forces together and overpowering gravity. Nominated for a Lester Horton Award (2010)
Alex Theatre for Celebrate Dance Festival (L.A. Premier March 2009)
Dance Street Theater (June 2008)
BLIND JOURNEY
A haunting surrealistic journey (A 30 minute Ballet)
Janacek Conservatory, Czech Republic (Full Ballet Performed-August 2007)
Pasadena Civic Auditorium at Pasadena Dance Festival (Segments -February 2009)
Glendale Centre Theatre, Ca. (Re-choreographed for the Theater in the ‘Round- October 2007)
Dance Street Theater (Premier June 2007)
El Portal Theater, Hollywood (Segments performed May 2007)
​
REGRETS
Demonstrating the painful but momentary regret of a young man
Created for concert at Janacek Conservatory, Czech Republic (Aug 2007)
​
AMERICANA
Created for workshop at Ostrava Ballet about the American spirit
Janacek Conservatory, Czech Republic (August 2007)
​
BLUE PASSION FLOWER
El Portal Theater, Hollywood (March 2007)
Celebrity Center International, Hollywood Ca. (September 2006)
Dance Street Theater- As part of full production choreographed by Ms. Holt titled Several Shades of Blue (Premiered May 2006)
LAPIS LAZULI
El Portal Theater, Hollywood (March 2007)
Dance Street Theater- As part of a full production choreographed by Ms. Holt titled Several Shades of Blue (Premiered May 2006)
MIDNIGHT BLUE
Glendale Centre Theatre, CA.( October 2007)
Celebrity Center International, Hollywood CA. (March 2007)
California DanceArts Studio Theater - As part of full production choreographed by Ms. Holt titled Several Shades of Blue (Premiered May 2006)
ROMEO + JULIET
A contemporary rock ballet (Full Length Production)
Celebrity Center International, Hollywood CA. (Segments performed - September 2006)
California DanceArts Studio Theater (Premiered Spring 2004 & by demand 2005)
LIFETIMES
A full length ballet exploring the concept of life after death.
Dance Street Theater - (Premier spring 2003)
VOICES OF THE FUTURE
A collection of dances depicting moral and ethical issues confronting the youth of today. Performed by CCBallet’s Youth Company.
Miles Memorial Playhouse, Santa Monica, CA. (August 2002)
Dance Street Theater - (Premiered June 2000 & again by demand in 2001)
Other notable works choreographed by Aerin Holt include a mini ballet of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Phantom of the Opera, choreographed in 1996, as well as Faith for the World and Rodeo, both choreographed in 2000. Each of these ballets is still frequently revived for special occasions and engagements
Ms. Holt has been teaching classical ballet, contemporary ballet and modern dance for over 30 years.
In addition to performing in Ms. Holt’s productions and dance works, students and dancers of the California DanceArts and the dancers of CCB have through the years, performed in a number of community events and dance festivals hosted by La Canada High School, Six Flags Magic Mountain, New Heaven on Earth Ranch, performances for area service organizations such as Lions Club, Kiwana’s, Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce and the City of Los Angeles. The members of CCBallet were invited to perform in a Mardi Gras celebration held in March 2001, hosted by the Long Beach Day Nursery, as well as the world premier of Katie Cassidy’s first record single and performed Ms. Holt’s works of Blind Journey, in the Czech Republic.
Additionally, Ms. Holt’s interest in music lead her to work with many singers and musicians possessing a variety of music styles, choreographing videos and stage shows. She became a performance coach and developed a curriculum which employed performance drills to provide musical artists with the skills to move on stage naturally and develop stage presence. In 1986, she was recognized by Music Connection Magazine for her contributions and work as it relates to the music industry. As a result with her work with musicians, singers and performers of all kind, Ms. Holt has defined and implemented the methods used in Dance Essentials™, created to improve stage presence and performance skills of any performing artist.