Siouxland Civic Dance Association

- 208 Westshore Dr, North Sioux City, SD 57049

For decades, the Siouxland Civic Dance Association (SCDA) has been a cornerstone of arts and culture, serving as the premier non-profit youth dance company dedicated to classical ballet in the entire Siouxland region, including our community here in South Dakota. Established with a core mission by founders Shirley and Terry Dill, and now passionately led by Artistic Director Rebecca McNamara, the Association is committed to providing high-quality dance education and unparalleled performance experiences for area dancers. This organization is more than just a dance studio; it is a vital community fine arts corporation working to uplift the range, quantity, and quality of concert dance available to local audiences.

The SCDA, through its performing company, Ballet Sioux, offers local students the unique opportunity to participate in major productions, fostering artistic growth, discipline, and a deep appreciation for classical technique. The company works hard to unite dancers of all backgrounds in their shared love of ballet, creating a supportive, high-standards environment. By providing consistent and rigorous classical dance education, often incorporating pointe work which may be lacking in other programs, the SCDA ensures that South Dakota students receive a level of training that prepares them for future aspirations, whether recreational or professional.

The SCDA is well-regarded as a beacon for the arts, enriching the lives of young people and contributing significantly to the cultural fabric of North Sioux City and the surrounding areas. The organization has historically presented nearly 50 major productions, demonstrating a profound, long-term commitment to the community.

The Siouxland Civic Dance Association is strategically situated to serve the broader Siouxland community, with its operations centered in North Sioux City, South Dakota. This prime location in the southeast corner of the state makes it readily accessible to families coming from nearby communities in both South Dakota and the extended tristate area.

The physical and administrative base of the association is located at:

• 208 Westshore Dr, North Sioux City, SD 57049, USA

It is important for local users to note that the SCDA operates in corporation with a local dance studio, often utilizing the facility at this address for rehearsals, company classes, and workshops. The location is known to be the home studio for the organization, making it a reliable point of interest for all SCDA business and training. The association demonstrates a commitment to community inclusiveness, with the facility offering a Wheelchair accessible parking lot to ensure ease of access for all patrons. The overall environment is considered Good for kids, confirming its dedication to a family-friendly and supportive atmosphere where young dancers can learn and grow.

As a premier non-profit dance company, the Siouxland Civic Dance Association offers a specialized set of services designed to provide rigorous classical training and performance experience to Siouxland’s aspiring dancers. Their programming is focused on quality, education, and exposure to the professional dance world.

• Youth Ballet Company (Ballet Sioux): The core performing arm, which members join through an annual public audition process, currently divided into Junior (ages 9-12) and Senior (ages 13 and up) levels.
• Classical Dance Training: Provides regular, high-quality instruction with an emphasis on classical ballet technique, including dedicated pointe classes, a strength often lacking in other local programs.
• Major Annual Productions: Presents classic and original works, most famously including a bi-annual community production of The Nutcracker, which holds public auditions for area dancers from 2nd grade and up.
• Performance Opportunities: Company members receive supplemental training and performance avenues through guest performances, workshops, solo work, and community events.
• Master Class Program: Features high-caliber dance education by bringing in guest artists and instructors from notable professional companies, offering local dancers exposure to renowned techniques and styles.
• Dance Education Workshops: Hosts regular events, such as the Winter Workshop Series, structured by age and experience level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) to offer continuing education to art lovers of all ages.
• Community Sponsorship: The association sponsors companies and dancers from across the country to visit the area, enriching the local dance scene and expanding educational opportunities.
• Choreographic Support: Provides sponsorship to new choreographic works and offers financial assistance to students who aspire to become professional dancers.

The Siouxland Civic Dance Association distinguishes itself through its rich history, its commitment to classical dance excellence, and the extraordinary opportunities it provides to its young artists across South Dakota.

• Decades of Excellence: Since 1971, the Association has been a consistent force in the Siouxland arts scene, producing over 50 major productions, including celebrated ballets like Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and The Nutcracker.
• The Annual Nutcracker Tradition: This community production is a highly anticipated annual highlight, providing hundreds of area dancers with the chance to perform in a large-scale, professional-quality production.
• Renowned Master Class History: The association has a prestigious history of exposing local dancers to outside instructors of international acclaim, having hosted legends such as Edward Villella, Johnathon Watts, George Zoritch, and Robert Joffrery.
• Professional Artistic Direction: Led by Artistic Director Rebecca McNamara, who herself grew up training locally in Yankton, SD, the company benefits from a director with experience in classical ballet, modern dance, and professional company work.
• Non-Profit, Community Focus: Operating as a non-profit corporation, the SCDA's focus is purely on the training and enrichment of its dancers and the expansion of dance arts for the community, ensuring every effort supports the students.
• Inclusive Audition Process: The auditions for the Ballet Sioux Company and major productions like The Nutcracker are open to all area dancers from different studios and backgrounds, promoting unity and collaboration within the Siouxland dance community.

South Dakota residents interested in participating in auditions, enrolling in workshops, or supporting the Siouxland Civic Dance Association and its mission can use the following information. Please note that the association is closely affiliated with the dance studio located at this address, which often handles class and event logistics.

• Address: 208 Westshore Dr, North Sioux City, SD 57049, USA
• Phone: (605) 242-5678 (Primary Contact Line)
• Mobile Phone: +1 605-242-5678

For any serious young dancer in South Dakota, the Siouxland Civic Dance Association (Ballet Sioux) is unequivocally worth choosing as a supplementary or primary avenue for classical training. Its value lies not just in the rigor of its ballet education, but in the unparalleled performance experience it delivers. Unlike many recreational studios, the SCDA functions as a traditional youth ballet company, which means the students receive consistent classical instruction—including essential pointe work—that is directly applied to challenging, full-length productions.

The opportunity to perform in large, classical ballets such as The Nutcracker, which involves public auditions open to the whole community, is a transformative experience. Dancers not only refine their technique but also develop the stage presence and discipline required for professional work. Furthermore, the commitment to bringing renowned guest artists to North Sioux City for master classes exposes local talent to national standards without the necessity of extensive travel, providing a crucial educational edge. By choosing the SCDA, South Dakota families are selecting an organization that is deeply invested in cultivating the next generation of professional dancers and arts patrons, providing a supportive, high-caliber environment that is both nurturing for children and professional in its execution of the performing arts.

Siouxland Civic Dance Association

208 Westshore Dr, North Sioux City, SD 57049, USA