Barbizon Midwest Review: Life's Difficulties: A Dancer's Drive

Andrew Cribbet

Andrew Cribbet graduated from Barbizon Midwest of Illinois in 2010. But, his behavioral issues go much farther back, and so does his dance career.

Andrew arrived to the Christine Rich Studio at age 6. Unfortunate life difficulties had left him with extreme behavioral problems and continual dismissal from every school he went to. His custodial grandparents expected him to be dismissed at CRS too yet, through perseverance and a focus on discipline, Andrew has risen to great heights with his dance.

Andrew slowly learned to redirect all of that negative energy into dance and turned his life around quite literally.

He blossomed in dance. He studied ballet, jazz, tap, Irish, modern, acrobatics, strength, and hip-hop. He was coached at first by Christine Rich and then eventually added coaching with CRS ballet director Luciana Rezende. He won every competition he went to starting at age 7!

Andrew in ballet class, age 9

Andrew, age 11, with Becky Ramos, age 11 performing in NYC at the finals of
Youth America Grand Prix in "Migeon's Intent" choreography by Christine Rich
and finishing in the top 12 ensembles in the WORLD!

Andrew started performing on professional dance stages in Chicago at the age of 10. At age 11 he performed on a program after Hubbard Street Dance and before Joffrey Ballet Chicago.

He was reviewed at age 11 by the Chicago Tribune senior arts critic Sid Smith who felt in watching Andrew and Becky, he was witnessing them dancing "... almost as if they were New York City Ballet principals."

During this transition, Andrew became an outstanding student and a leader at school. Academically he achieved Top Honors List at school each semester.

Andrew Cribbet

Andrew worked very hard for his dance by training 6 days a week and coming in for rehearsals and coaching on weekends. As he says, "You get what you put in."

In 2008 Andrew entered the NAACP's Act So competition for African-American high school students. Categories ranged from chemistry and math to music and dance. Andrew finished first nationally and took home the gold medal in Dance.

Andrew Cribbet

In February 2009 Andrew competed as a soloist in Youth America Grand Prix taking home a medal in Contemporary dance in the Senior Men's category. At that competition the overwhelming enthusiasm from the audience could not deny the charisma Andrew brought when he stepped onstage.

Mr. Kee Juan Han, Dance Magazine's 2008 Teacher of the Year and Director of Washington Ballet was in attendance and he too saw the same:

"After seeing Andrew Cribbet dance at the Chicago YAGP, I recognized his potential and the passion he has in his dancing. I offered him a full scholarship to our Professional Training Program at the Washington School of Ballet. His training at Christine Rich Studio Dance Academy has served him well. Andrew is truly blessed to have such loving teachers like Christine who is willing to send him off for further training. My faculty and I look forward to working with Andrew and help him realize his dream." - Mr. Kee Juan Han

Andrew received a full scholarship to Washington Ballet's Professional Training Program for the Summer '09 as well as Fall '09 - Spring '10 plus a full scholarship to attend the Duke Ellington Performing Arts High School.

In 2011-2012 Andrew Cribbet was hired as a professional dance company member to Eisenhower Dance Ensemble! We're so proud of him going in and quickly learning the mixed repetoire of this outstanding dance company. Check this out: