Westside Ballet Presents Their Adult Summer Showcase 2024

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Santa Monica, CA – Westside Ballet of Santa Monica, renowned for its commitment to excellence in classical ballet, is thrilled to announce an enchanting adult showcase featuring extraordinary choreography by a distinguished group of faculty and performers. This captivating event promises to deliver an unforgettable evening of grace, artistry, and passion.

Taking place at New Roads School - Moss Theatre on Saturday, August 3rd, with performances at 1pm and 5pm, the adult showcase will feature the exceptional talent of Westside Ballet's adult students, who have dedicated their time and energy to the pursuit of classical ballet. Tickets are now on sale for $35 and are available at Westside Ballet’s front desk.

The showcase is directed, staged, and choreographed by the esteemed faculty and adult dance community, including Adrian Blake Mitchell, Sven Toorvald, Chasen Greenwood, Sadie Black, Natalia Velarde, Erin Rivera-Brennand, Dani Savka, Jenny Jones, and Liz Wasynczuk. These talented choreographers bring their unique styles and perspectives to create a diverse and compelling program that beautifully blends tradition with contemporary flair.

Special solo performances will be delivered by Akem Harrison, Daniel Grzelak, Aileen Hui, Rupa Kingston, and Amanda Li. Additionally, the event will feature appearances by Westside School of Ballet alumnae Sorcha Whitley, Maya Zeevi, and Perris McCracken, adding an extra layer of excitement and inspiration to the evening.

"We are so pleased to have several accomplished choreographers and many dedicated performers for our 2024 adult showcase," says Allegra Clegg, Executive Director of Westside School of Ballet. "Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to support Westside Ballet’s adult dance community and enjoy an inspiring afternoon of dance!"

The school is increasingly committed to providing opportunities for its adult students to perform and showcase their skills and progress. The Adult Showcase 2024 is one of the highlights of the year for the SoCal adult ballet community, as it offers students a chance to share their love of ballet with their friends, family, and the public.

Featured soloist Amanda Li experienced a full circle moment with the school. "I knew I had found a really special community. I began taking classes more often and soon enough I had heard about a performance opportunity for adults like me, who didn't think they would have the chance to perform ballet on a stage again. I'm so thankful for Westside as it reignited my love for ballet and introduced me to a whole community of dancers that have a shared passion for dance. It's truly inspiring to see how ballet can bring people of all different walks of life together on a shared stage!"

The Adult Summer Showcase will feature a diverse and exciting repertoire of ballet pieces, ranging from classical to contemporary, from romantic to comedic, from lyrical to dramatic. The programme lineup includes:

1. Erin Bakken’s “Swan Lake Suite”
2. "Mariage d’amour" choreographed by Sven Toorvald to music of the same name by Steven Law.
3. Sadie Black's "on the moon i swear" to House of Woodcock by Jonny Greenwood
4. "House of Capulets" staged by Adrian Blake-Mitchell to Sergei Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet.
5. "In Waiting" choreographed by Dani Savka to Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons recomposed by Max Richter.
6. Chasen Greenwood's "Heirs of the Dragon" to music of the same title by Ramin Djawadi
7. Natalia Velarde's "Untitled: For my Mother and Aunt Claudia to music Oboe Concerto in D Minor by Alessandro Marcello
8. "The Spy Who Loved Me" choreographed by Liz Waszynak to Nobody Does It Better by Carly Simon
9. Jeni Jones's "All This Jazz" piece featuring a montage of: “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” by The Temptations; “Cool Joe, Mean Joe (Killer Joe)”by Quincy Jones; “Happy” by Pharrell Williams with “Happy” Video with Special Thanks to David Combs.
10. "August's Rhapsody" by Chasen Greenwood to music of the same title from the August Rush Soundtrack.

Westside Ballet of Santa Monica is known for its commitment to nurturing dancers of all ages and providing a supportive environment for their artistic growth. The adult showcase serves as a testament to the dedication and passion of these dancers, who have embraced the art form as a means of personal expression and fulfillment.

"I feel really lucky to be dancing again, especially at a stage in my life when it's no longer my primary ambition." says Daniel Grzelak. "Whether it was the time away or theoretical emotional growth, I'm able to approach ballet with a much more balanced perspective than when I was younger, and I find myself applying concepts that I didn't even think of at the time, and even improving in different ways."

For over five decades, Westside Ballet has offered adult ballet classes that cater to every level of experience and ability. Whether beginners looking to learn the basics, advanced dancers refining their technique, or individuals dancing for fun and fitness, Westside Ballet has classes for everyone. The adult ballet program is led by highly experienced and qualified teachers, many of whom have danced professionally with prestigious companies such as New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, and Los Angeles Ballet.

For more information about Westside School of Ballet and its adult ballet program, visit westsideballet.com or Instagram @westsideballet. Adult Ballet Showcase Tickets are $35 and are available at Westside Ballet's front desk, 1709 Stewart Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404. Or phone 310-828-2018

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Westside Ballet of Santa Monica is a renowned ballet academy dedicated to providing exceptional training and performance opportunities to aspiring dancers of all ages. With a rich history spanning over five decades, Westside Ballet has nurtured numerous talented dancers who have gone on to successful careers in the world of ballet. The academy's commitment to excellence, artistic integrity, and community engagement has made it a cherished institution in Santa Monica and beyond.

For more information, visit westsideballet.com

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