Ballet Legends and Star-Studded Performances at BroadStage May 17-18

This May, the Westside Ballet of Santa Monica not only celebrates its storied 50-year legacy but also showcases the bright future of ballet during its Spring Showcase and Gala. Featuring renowned stars and promising talents, the event highlights the enduring heritage and vibrant future of performing arts in Southern California.

The Masters of Movement Spring Showcases, taking place on May 17th and 18th at The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, will feature a vibrant mix of classical and contemporary works. These showcases will highlight the breadth of Westside Ballet's repertoire and the emerging talent of its dancers.

The Gala on May 18th, starting at 5 pm, honors legendary ballerina Patricia Neary, celebrating her illustrious career with a Lifetime Achievement Award. This evening will include performances by American Ballet Theatre principals Isabella Boylston and James Whiteside, who will perform Marius Petipa's classic "Black Swan" pas de deux.

Sarah Madison Photography

Sophie Wilson will perform as "Fairy Song" in "The Sleeping Beauty" at the Broad Stage on May 17-18 at Westside Ballet's Spring Showcase.

Central to the celebrations are the pre-professional student company dancers, performing pivotal works in the two Showcase events that bridge the past and present of ballet. Yvonne Mounsey's "Classical Symphony," a signature piece requiring speed, precision, and musicality, will be performed alongside Rosemary Valaire's interpretations of "Sleeping Beauty," showcasing the meticulous style of Marius Petipa set to the captivating scores of Prokofiev and Beethoven performed live.

Among the standout performers is 15-year-old Isabelle Choy, a seasoned dancer at Westside Ballet since she was six. This spring, Isabelle will grace the stage in multiple roles including the soloist in the fourth movement of "Classical Symphony," demonstrating her versatility across both classical and contemporary pieces like "Murmurations." Isabelle shares that a significant turning point in her dance career was stepping into the upper division, where she embraced a new level of discipline that refined her craft dramatically. "It was a transformative year where I internalized every correction and pushed myself to reach new heights," Isabelle reflects.

Joining her in the spotlight is fellow 15-year-old Sophie Wilson from Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences, who has been with the ballet since she was three. This year, Sophie will perform as a soloist in various movements of "Classical Symphony" and take on the challenging "Song/Canary Fairy Variation." Her dedication to ballet is paralleled by her academic aspirations in possibly pursuing a medical career, showcasing the well-rounded development encouraged at Westside Ballet.

Also featured is Bella Shriver, performing the role of the "Beauty Fairy" solo in the "Sleeping Beauty" excerpts. Bella's portrayal is anticipated to capture the elegance and precision that the role demands, highlighting the meticulous coaching and talent cultivation that Westside Ballet is renowned for.

As Westside Ballet looks back on its 50 years of artistic contributions, it also strides forward, nurturing new talents and expanding its community engagement. The event is not just a showcase of exceptional ballet but also a celebration of the arts as a vital part of the community's cultural fabric.

Sarah Madison Photography

Santa Monica resident dancers prepare for featured solo roles: clockwise from left: Sophie Wilson (15), Bella Shriver (16), Isabelle Choy (15), and (front) Evelyn Choy (11).

Honoring Founders and Embracing the Future

Complementing the classics, the showcase will also present a diverse repertoire of dance, including an excerpt from Balanchine's Concerto Barocco, Vanessa van Wormer's contemporary piece with live accompaniment, Caprice Walker's Fête de Carnivale, and Michele Bachar Mendicelli's innovative jazz and ballet pieces.

As they honor the past, Westside Ballet spokesperson Jewels Solheim-Roe says the company is also committed to nurturing the next wave of ballet talent, remaining dedicated to providing exceptional dance education and enriching the cultural landscape of the Southern California community. Of note in the student and pre-professional cast is eleven-year-old prodigé Spencer Collins, a recent YAGP double winner, performing Flames of Paris.

A Celebration of the Arts

Artistic Director Martine Harley remarks on the event's importance. "Masters of Movement is a curated journey through dance that pays tribute to our heritage and envisions ballet's evolution. Our 50th Anniversary celebrates Westside Ballet's enduring legacy and the universal allure of ballet. We celebrate our founders' dream and our dancers' excellence, which have fostered a haven of creativity and learning. The Gala highlights the diverse interpretations of Pas de Deux, showcasing an array of styles that exemplify both the tradition and the unique evolution of this ballet form. We invite you to join our historic celebration, a blend of classical grace and modern innovation, as we honor ballet's storied past and bright future."

Sarah Madison Photography

Naya Farrell-Katseanes (14) rehearses as a Fairy Attendant in the classic "The Sleeping Beauty".

An Array of Distinguished Performances

The Gala will also spotlight excerpts from George Balanchine's Agnon, Tarantella, and Who Cares?; Yuri Possokhov's Bells pas de deux; and Ben Stevenson OBE's Prelude pas de deux. Live piano performances of Stravinsky and Rachmaninov will accompany the dancers, creating an immersive artistic experience.

The stage will also welcome alumni stars Lucia Connolly, Lyrica Woodruff, and Joy Womack in a series of breathtaking performances, including Yuri Possokhov's Bells pas de deux, Balanchine's fiery Tarantella, and Ben Stevenson O.B.E.'s Prelude pas de deux, accompanied by Rachmaninov's live piano score.

The Saturday evening landmark gala is set to be a beautiful synthesis of history, performance, and community spirit, ensuring that the legacy of Westside Ballet's founders will continue to inspire and shape the future of ballet in Santa Monica and beyond.

As Westside Ballet looks back on its 50 years of artistic contributions, it also strides forward, nurturing new talents and expanding its community engagement. The event is not just a showcase of exceptional ballet but also a celebration of the arts as a vital part of the community's cultural fabric.

This landmark gala promises to be a beautiful synthesis of history, performance, and community spirit, ensuring that the legacy of Westside Ballet's founders will continue to inspire and shape the future of ballet in Santa Monica and beyond.

Advanced dancers (left to right) Gabriella Calderon, Sophie Wilson, Willa Cross, Eema Kaye pose with Los Angeles Ballet new company dancers Bryce Broedell and Taylor Hugens in a scene from George Balanchine's "Concerto Barocco, 2nd Movement" staged by Patricia Neary.

Community Engagement

Westside Ballet's Gala honors the Police Activities League (P.A.L.) with the Huntley Santa Monica Beach Community Arts Award, along with ballet royalty Patricia Neary with the Bravo! Award.

Under an education initiative, Westside is partnered with Santa Monica College. By being concurrently enrolled in SMC's choreography course with Vanessa van Wormer, Westside's dancers who are high school students will receive college credits-transferable to any of California's public four-year colleges and universities.

Westside Ballet established an Endowment Fund to expand both merit and need-based scholarships. Pre-COVID, Westside Ballet provided approximately $100,000 in scholarships annually. The Chow Family Scholarship Fund was established in 2018 and over $150,000 has been raised to date; major donors of this fund requested the funds be used to actively recruit People of Color. In summer 2020, a scholarship was established by a new nonprofit, Dance in Color, and founded by Westside Alumnus Adrian Blake Mitchell. Several young Westside dancers have received this scholarship every year since the 2020-21 school year.

The biannual Westside Ballet productions are made possible in part by grants from Los Angeles County, the City of Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades Woman's Club - and sponsorships from local Santa Monica individuals, businesses, and organizations such as Santa Monica College Public Policy Institute, The Huntley Hotel, Urth Caffe, Morley Builders, Lyft Scooters, and more.

Tickets for these must-see dance events of the season may be purchased online at westsideballet.com/SpringTix or by phone (additional fees apply) at (800) 595-4849 (4TIX).