185. BYDE Celebrates 25 Years of Dance Excellence with Anniversary Concert

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2 mins read
BYDE 25th Anniversary Concert - Photographed by Kelly Stachura Photography

The Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble celebrated their rich dance history with a dazzling 25th Anniversary Concert on June 13th and 14th at Barrington High School’s Richard C. Johnson Auditorium. Over 600 guests enjoyed the Concert which featured past BYDE classical and contemporary favorites along with several premieres, including founder and artistic director Mary Brennan’s L’Art des Enfants (The Art of Children).

BYDE 25th Anniversary Concert - Photographed by Kelly Stachura Photography
BYDE 25th Anniversary Concert – Photographed by Kelly Stachura Photography

The concert also featured works created by award winning choreographers, Eddy Ocampo from LEVELDance and Winifred Haun of Winifred Haun & Dancers, along with the company’s dedicated artistic staff.  BYDE staff and alumni dancers shared memories, while celebrating this beloved Barrington dance company.

BYDE 25th Anniversary Concert - Photographed by Kelly Stachura Photography
BYDE 25th Anniversary Concert – Photographed by Kelly Stachura Photography

The celebration included a special video presentation which chronicled the company’s history and honored the staff and dancers who have worked with BYDE since its beginning in 1989. Many of BYDE’s original staff and company members are still involved in the company today. Another part of the anniversary celebration was an alumni piece, “Salute to Fosse” which featured several BYDE alumni, including choreography and performance by Wade Schaaf, founder and director of Chicago Repertory Ballet, who got his start in dance with BYDE.

“Long time artistic and production associates combined with dedicated funders, dancers and volunteers have melded with our executive, artistic and advisory boards with consistent zeal for the past twenty-five years,” says Mary Brennan, Founder and Artistic Director of BYDE. “It is the miracle of artistic pursuit which has made Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble a standard bearer for the arts in our community. I can’t think everyone enough for their understanding and dedication. From the young children to the seasoned professionals this organization has become a family which passes its transitions on and on.”

The Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble is a not for profit 501(c) (3) which promotes artistic integrity, involvement, and awareness through exceptional dance training and performance in the Chicagoland area. Founded in 1989 by Artistic Director Mary Brennan, this grassroots organization has become a local standard bearer for the arts and one of Barrington’s most prominent dance Ensembles.

BYDE 25th Anniversary Concert - Photographed by Kelly Stachura Photography
BYDE 25th Anniversary Concert – Photographed by Kelly Stachura Photography

Over the years, BYDE have established partnerships with arts and educational organizations and have received the generous support of many including, The Roberts Family Foundation, The Benson Foundation, The Sanfilippo Family Foundation, The Wamberg Family Charitable Fund, Rose Packing Company, Barrington Area Community Foundation, Barrington Junior Women’s Club, The Duchossois Family Foundation, The Target Corporation, Barrington Children’s Charities, The DEMAR Foundation, and The Illinois Arts Council to name a few.

BYDE 25th Anniversary Concert - Photographed by Kelly Stachura Photography
BYDE 25th Anniversary Concert – Photographed by Kelly Stachura Photography

Barrington Dance Academy (BDA),founded in 1984 by Mary Brennan, is the area’s finest school of dance. From fostering the creative instincts of the pre school child to providing top quality dance instruction for our older students, BDA has earned a reputation as the very best. Noted for our world class instructors, the Academy provides a creative and supportive educational setting. For more information, call 847-382-6333 or visit BarringtonDanceAcademy.com.

It is also our privilege to feature the Barrington Dance Academy and Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble as members of our Barrington Online Marketplace here at 365Barrington.com.  CLICK HERE for our series of stories about the organization’s history of enriching young lives and enhancing the cultural experience here in Barrington.

BYDE 25th Anniversary Concert - Photographed by Kelly Stachura Photography
BYDE 25th Anniversary Concert – Photographed by Kelly Stachura Photography

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