Orange County Register

Competition among dance schools is a fact of live. It doesn’t have to be that way, is the philosophy of Charles Maple (above, teaching), former principal dancer with Basel Ballet and soloist with American Ballet Theatre. Maple, who grew up in Los Angeles, returned from Europe and started teaching at a number of LA and Orange County studios. When Ballet Pacifica went under last spring, he and administrator Kathy Crade started the Maple Conservatory in Ballet Pacifica’s former Irvine digs.

One of the first things he did was to call up other teachers and say, in essence, Let’s collaborate in some way; it will benefit us both. Diane Lauridsen, who runs Torrance’s South Bay Ballet where Maple taught, agreed. The Maple Youth Ballet will perform Balanchine’s “Valse Fantaisie” at the South Bay Ballet concert 7 p.m. March 1, and 2 p.m. March 2. (James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance). Lauridsen’s students will appear in original pieces by her, Lorin Johnson (formerly with ABT and Ballet Pacifica) and others.  Tickets are $20. Call 310-781-7171. Stay tuned for other cooperative ventures.

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