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Barrington: Alive in the Arts

Barrington is host to many venues. It is a community dedicated to a complete circle of life’s offerings for its residents. This circle would not be complete without the deep appreciation, undaunted dedication and professional delivery of fine art performance. The Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble (BYDE) provides this and much more. “It is necessary for the Barrington community to maintain and support a lively, diverse fine and performing arts scene,” said Jessica Gumowski, BYDE Executive Director. “Only a community rich in arts and culture can thrive — life without art is stale and stagnant.”

Founded in 1989 and located at the Barrington Dance Academy, BYDE is a nonprofit organization committed to a dance experience that enriches the lives of its audience and the performers. “It is our mission to bring quality dance education and performance to the greater Barrington area,” said Gumowski. “It has been a goal of the company since its formation to heighten awareness and appreciation for the performing arts within our community.” Members are committed and experienced in all theatrical areas, from initial fundraising to actual performance. The ensemble strives to promote artistic integrity, community involvement and cultural awareness through exceptional dance training and performance in Barrington and the Chicagoland area.

The BYDE company is home to a number of dedicated, gifted students and pre-professional dancers ranging in age from 11 to 18. All train to achieve a level of excellence in various forms of dance — ballet, modern, jazz and character dance. The students, along with a group of professional dancers, all have the opportunity to audition for roles in upcoming productions. With BYDE’s annual presentation of The Nutcracker and other classics such as Coppélia, The Sleeping Beauty and Graduation Ball, audience attendance has grown to almost 5,000 annually.

BYDE also works outside the doors of the academy. Its outreach program raises awareness and appreciation with performances at public schools, community centers, senior citizens facilities and other support agencies. This program brings the beauty of dance to schools, hospitals, festivals and many other audiences — with a special focus on seniors and disabled or disadvantaged youth. “This allows us to bring the beauty and discipline of dance to local grade-school children, underprivileged children, disabled individuals, local seniors and other audiences who may not ordinarily be able to see dance and/or theater,” said Gumowski. “We are able to keep the performing arts alive within the community. The Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble is proud to be a part of a community that appreciates the performing arts. It is our hope to work together with other arts organizations within the community to promote creativity and build on the existing support for arts and culture in Barrington.” To bring the beauty, discipline and professionalism of dance to all is the primary goal of the ensemble.

BYDE c/o Barrington Dance Academy
758 West Northwest Highway • Barrington, IL 60010
Phone: (847) 382-6333 • Fax: (847) 382-6334