Ballet Blooms in Urban City of Compton, CA. Receives City, State & Federal Honors

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(Free-Press-Release.com) March 29, 2008 -- Proving that classical dance can thrive as an alternative to hip hop’s strong influence in one of the country’s most challenged inner cities, honors were given to a community based dance academy in the heart of Compton, CA last week at the City of Compton’s 2008 Community Development Week luncheon.

From the City of Compton, Carol Bristol-Henry, Founder/Artistic Director of Compton Dance Theatre, a ballet, modern and traditional dance foundation, received the Addie Patterson Award for Outstanding Service in Community Development. A Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition was bestowed from the U.S. House of Representatives, and a Certificate of Recognition was presented from the California Legislature Assembly. She was also the recipient of a Teacher of the Year 2007-2008 award from CDT’s students and parents.

Students and members of its professional troupe performed two pieces choreographed by Bristol-Henry for the audience, comprised of City of Compton commissioners, State and Federal dignitaries.

Upon receiving the award, Bristol-Henry gave an emotionally charged acceptance speech, acknowledging the dedication of her husband, students, their parents and supporters. As she thanked the City of Compton along with state and federal representatives, she recapped the beginnings of CDT in Compton and the barriers she faced in establishing the fledgling dance academy in the inner city.

“I started Compton Dance Theatre Foundation unintentionally”, Bristol-Henry remarked, “and my friends thought I was crazy; they said I shouldn’t do it; that it would ruin my career by association”. Visibly moved by Bristol-Henry’s message and emotion, the audience responded with “Amen” and words of encouragement throughout her speech.

With a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Howard University, a Masters Degree in Dance and Dance Education from N.Y.U., CDT’s Founder studied dance at Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. She is also an accomplished performance artist. Bristol-Henry explained, “I reluctantly started teaching dance at Compton High School as a way to earn money between gigs. I was very uncertain about being able to make any kind of difference there”.

There have been numerous uphill battles and struggles to survive. "It's been worth it", she stated, "when I see one of my students selected by American Ballet Theater for their summer intensive".

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