Young Dancers Travel Miles to Keep Ballet Dreams Alive

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When 10-year-old Imogen Marble lost her Pacific Palisades home in January's devastating fires, she faced a choice that many wouldn't expect a fourth-grader to make: give up her ballet training or embark on a lengthy commute from her temporary home in Newport Beach to continue dancing at Westside Ballet in Santa Monica.

She chose the commute.
"Being with my ballet community really helped me get through this time," Imogen reflects. "Our WSB community brought us so much comfort."

Imogen's story illustrates the magnetic pull of Westside Ballet of Santa Monica, a 52-year-old institution that continues to draw dedicated young dancers from across Southern California. The company's annual Spring Showcase and Gala performances on May 31-June 1 featured students who traveled from as far as Orange County and the San Fernando Valley to train at the Stewart Street studio.

A Tradition of Excellence Worth the Journey
Founded in 1973 by New York City Ballet principal Yvonne Mounsey and Royal Ballet's Rosemary Valaire, Westside Ballet has built a reputation that extends far beyond Santa Monica's borders. The school's unique non-audition policy means any aspiring dancer can access world-class training, regardless of background or experience level.

This accessibility created a diverse student body that included 18-year-old Tatiana Burns, who commuted from Rossmoor in Orange County. After four years of training at Westside Ballet, Burns performed featured roles in "Le Conservatoire," “Coppélia,” and the jazz-inspired "Cabaret" pieces in the showcase.

"The process of studying many iconic ballets has been such a valuable journey for me," Burns says. "I feel so grateful to be at Westside."

Burns brings impressive credentials to her studies, having attended the prestigious School of American Ballet summer intensive for four years and Miami City Ballet for two summers. Her dedication to ballet training alongside her academic pursuits—she excelled in math and science while attending California Online Public Schools—exemplified the commitment many Westside students demonstrated.

Rising Through the Ranks
For some students, the journey to Westside Ballet represents years of artistic growth within the program. Sachi Hiromura, an 18-year-old senior from Koreatown, began training at Westside Ballet at age 16. In her second Spring performance, she progressed from ensemble roles to featured solos, including the Dawn Solo in "Coppélia" and a soloist role in "Le Conservatoire."

"When I'm dancing in that role, I feel like I'm in the middle of one of Degas's famous ballet paintings," Hiromura says of her "Le Conservatoire" performance.

As class salutatorian and an AP Scholar with Distinction, Hiromura balances her ballet training with academic excellence. This fall, she'll attend Columbia University to study neuroscience and African-American Studies, demonstrating how Westside Ballet students often excel beyond the studio walls.

Community Through Crisis
The January fires that devastated parts of Los Angeles County particularly impacted the Westside Ballet community. Over 44 families within the organization—including students, faculty, directors, and alumni—lost their homes, primarily in the Palisades Fire.

Among those affected were Allegra Clegg, the school's owner and daughter of founder Yvonne Mounsey, and Artistic Director Martine Harley, who lost her childhood home in Malibu. The crisis revealed the strength of the ballet community's bonds.

"Despite everything, the resilience of this community has been inspiring," notes Associate Executive Director Adrian Blake Mitchell, himself a Westside Ballet alumnus who fled Russia with his partner after the Ukrainian invasion and found refuge within the Westside Ballet family.

The organization launched immediate relief efforts, including a GoFundMe campaign that raised over $75,000 and partnerships that brought in more than $80,000 worth of dancewear donations.

Celebrating Masters of Movement

The weekend's performances, titled "Masters of Movement 2025," showcased works by legendary choreographers Jerome Robbins, August Bournonville, and Marius Petipa. The Saturday evening gala featured New York City Ballet principals Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia—both Westside Ballet alumni—performing Robbins' "Other Dances."

The weekend also honored Andrew Veyette, another Westside Ballet alumnus concluding his 25-year career with New York City Ballet, and recognized local fire and police first responders with community awards.

For the young dancers who traveled from across the region, these performances represented more than artistic achievement—they embodied the power of community to overcome challenges and pursue dreams against all odds.

Looking Ahead to Summer

Following the Spring performances, many dancers will attend prestigious summer intensives to further their ballet training. Several intermediate and advanced Westside students will stay in Los Angeles to train with the school's accredited artistic staff and special guest teachers.

This summer's program features Katrina Killian, Director of Children's/Preparatory Divisions and Mae L. Wien Faculty Chair at School of American Ballet, who will teach Levels 3/3+ and 4/4+. Advanced students ages 14-19 will have the opportunity to participate in the 'Balanchine Workshop' with special guests Sofiane Sylve and Patricia Neary, including a student performance, reception, and Q&A with the renowned instructors.

For younger children just beginning their dance journey, Westside School of Ballet's Children's Summer Camp invites kids ages 4–7 to explore dance, music, and creativity through weekly story-themed adventures. Campers bring Frozen, Moana, Inside Out, Swan Lake, and more to life—learning choreography, designing mini sets, and exploring rhythm and storytelling through movement. Open to all skill levels, with code "Patch25" offering $25 off per week at westsideballet.com/summer/kidscamp.

The school also offers a Teen Workshop for ages 11–18 who are new to ballet, providing an ideal entry point to classical dance during the summer months.

For dancers like those who commuted from across Southern California during the regular season, summer intensives offer the chance to train daily at Westside Ballet without the challenges of lengthy commutes during the school year. The programs welcome both current students and newcomers, continuing the school's tradition of accessibility and excellence.

For more information about Westside Ballet's summer programs and fall registration, visit westsideballet.com

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