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westsideballet

@westsideballet

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As we approach our 60th Anniversary, we are celebrating six incredible decades of dance, artistry, tradition, and community. Founded in 1967 by Yvonne Mounsey and Rosemary Valaire, Westside Ballet has grown into a legacy spanning generations — with thousands of dancers and families becoming part of our story along the way. From the studios to the stage, from first steps to professional careers, Westside has been a place where young people discover the joy of dance, the pursuit of excellence, and the confidence to carry what they learn far beyond the studio. This milestone belongs to everyone who has been part of Westside over the past 60 years — our students, families, faculty, alumni, volunteers, donors, supporters, and the many artists who have helped shape our community. We are proud to celebrate where we’ve been, the legacy we continue to build, and the generations of dancers still to come. 60 years of tradition.
60 years of artistry.
60 years of excellence.
60 years of Westside Ballet.  Here’s to 60 years — and to celebrating the next chapter together! 📸: @ewillphoto Logo: @lisalewisdesign #WestsideBallet #SantaMonica #60thAnniversary #ballet #dance taken in Westside School of Ballet by @westsideballet
7
a month ago
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Happy World Ballet Pianists Day! 🎹✨ Today, we celebrate the talented pianists who bring music to life in our studios every day. Their artistry and musicality are an essential part of our dancers’ training, inspiring movement, shaping technique, and bringing every class to life. 🩰 Featured here is one of our treasured accompanists, Leon Logvinsky! Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, Leon earned his degree in classical piano in 1980 and began accompanying ballet classes in 1992. After immigrating to Los Angeles in 1995, he went on to play for studios and institutions throughout Southern California. Leon has accompanied ballet classes at Westside School of Ballet since 1997, sharing his musical talent with generations of dancers. We are grateful to Leon and all the pianists who make the art of dance possible! 🤍 #WorldPianistDay #westsideballet #ballet #piano #accompanists taken in Westside School of Ballet by @westsideballet
50
2 days ago
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A special milestone for our Level 4 students! 🩰 As they begin their pointe journeys, they were welcomed into a beloved Westside Ballet tradition: Pointe Mentorship Day. 💗 Created by Martine Harley during her time as Artistic Director, now Director of Artistic Operations, Pointe Mentorship Day was inspired by the joy she saw in our older dancers mentoring younger students during our year-end demonstrations. From that, the idea of giving each young dancer a “big sister” was born—a tradition that continues to build confidence, friendship, and camaraderie within our community. Here’s to the beginning of a beautiful new chapter en pointe! 🩰✨ #westsideballet #ballet #pointe #pointeshoes #balletschool taken in Santa Monica, California by @westsideballet
7
5 days ago
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It’s that time of year again! Our students are hard at work preparing for our annual production of The Nutcracker, and the holiday magic is just around the corner! 🎄 Tickets are on sale today! Join us this holiday season as we bring this beloved tradition to life at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica. We can’t wait to share the magic with you! 🩰✨ #nutcracker #westsideballet #nutcrackerseason #westsideschoolofballet #santamonica by @westsideballet
2
10 days ago
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Westside Ballet and California Dance Institute have launched the Pathways Partnership: a free dance residency in a Westside elementary classroom, then Dance to Dreams on Sundays, then a full scholarship to Westside School of Ballet, with tuition, attire and rides to class covered. The pilot year reached more than 200 first and second graders at two Title I schools, and the first Pathways scholar is now training at Westside School of Ballet. A third school joins this fall. The goal by 2030: 20 schools and 40 scholarships a year. “Talent, enthusiasm and commitment, not circumstance, decide who has the extraordinary opportunity to receive ballet training from Westside Ballet.” Susan Gladstone, Artistic Director, California Dance Institute Full story, pilot report and ways to give: http://morecanvas.com/pathways Photo: Sarah Madison Photography #PathwaysPartnership #DanceToDreams #WestsideBallet #CaliforniaDanceInstitute #SantaMonica by @westsideballet
9
18 days ago
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College night is next week! 🎓🩰 Join us September 14 from 6–8 PM for Westside Ballet’s Annual College Night; an exciting evening dedicated to the future of our dancers, with pizza & refreshments beginning at 5:30 PM. Open to the public! We’re thrilled to welcome representatives from some of the nation’s leading university dance programs, joining us in person and via Zoom: IN PERSON • LMU — Taryn Vander Hoop, Chair of Dance (@lmudance) • USC — Jackie Kopcsak, Assistant Dean of Programming & Special Projects (@usckaufman) • UC Santa Barbara — Ninotchka Bennahum, Professor, Dance Department (@ucsbtheaterdance) VIA ZOOM • TCU (@tcusccdance) • Indiana University (@iubloomington) • Butler University (@butleru) • University of Utah (@uofudance) • University of Illinois (@illinois1867) • SMU (@smumeadowsdance) • Vassar (@vassarcollege) • NYU Tisch (@nyutisch) • University of Michigan (@umich_dance) Our dancers will have the opportunity to learn more about university dance programs and recruitment, participate in a group panel, ask questions one-on-one, and connect directly with representatives from programs shaping the future of dance. Whether college is just around the corner or still a few years away, this is an incredible opportunity for our dancers to explore what comes next. 🎓🩰 📸 @pamjeannephoto #westsideballet #collegenight #santamonica #dance #ballet taken in Westside School of Ballet by @westsideballet
4
a month ago
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Classes are in full swing at Westside Ballet! 🩰 Our students are back at the barre, building strength, refining technique, and continuing into the new school year together. A reminder that today, Labor Day, September 7, there are no Academy classes. Classes will resume tomorrow. And don’t forget — Orientation Week is happening this week!  #WestsideBallet #ballet #dance #balletdancers #santamonica taken in Santa Monica, California by @westsideballet
6
a month ago
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Today, we celebrate Founder’s Day in honor of Yvonne Mounsey, whose vision, artistry, and dedication helped shape the legacy of Westside Ballet of Santa Monica. As we celebrate her birthday and look ahead to our 60th anniversary, we’re grateful for the foundation she created and the generations of dancers who continue to carry her legacy forward. Join us today, September 2, from 8:00 AM–8:00 PM for a special Founder’s Day celebration at the studio, featuring classes, giveaways, special activities, and more. Here’s to celebrating Yvonne, her remarkable legacy, and 60 years of dance. 🤍 📸: 1) Yvonne Mounsey teaching. 2) Yvonne Mounsey with alumna Joy Womack (@joy.womack ) #founderstory #westsideballet #santamonica #ballet #dance taken in Westside School of Ballet by @westsideballet
11
a month ago
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A week from today, we celebrate Fall Founder’s Day! 💫 In honor of co-founder Yvonne Mounsey’s birthday, join us next Wednesday, September 2nd, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Stop by the studio, take a class, and enjoy giveaways, special activities, and more! Capture the moment by taking a picture at our photo station and visiting the Ballet Shop for Founder’s Day sales. We can’t wait to celebrate with our WSB community. We hope to see you there!  ** Spring Founder’s Day celebrates  co-founder Rosemary Valaire’s birthday, June 11th.**  #westsideballet #foundersday #ballet #santamonica taken in Westside School of Ballet by @westsideballet
12
a month ago
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The 2026–27 school year has officially started at Westside School of Ballet. We are excited to welcome our dancers back to the studios for another year of focused training, artistic development, and performance. As classes begin, we look forward to a year of continued growth, new challenges, and opportunities for each dancer to develop their technique and artistry. Welcome back to all of our students, families, and faculty. We look forward to the year ahead! 📸 Eric Williams #WestsideBallet #WestsideSchoolOfBallet #BackToBallet #Ballet #Dance taken in Westside School of Ballet by @westsideballet
0
2 months ago
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See you next year, Dance to Dreams! Last Friday, we wrapped up this year’s Dance to Dreams week. The final day was filled with special moments shared between dancers, parents, and guardians. This free annual workshop gives young dancers the opportunity to experience ballet training, build confidence, and discover new possibilities through dance. Thank you to all of the families who joined us and helped make this year’s program so meaningful. We’re proud of what these dancers accomplished in just one week! #DanceToDreams #WestsideBallet #WestsideBalletOfSantaMonica #DanceEducation #BalletForAll by @westsideballet
3
2 months ago
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In the studio with Principal Dancer Nicole Von Enck ✨ During our Company Repertory Week at @westsideballet, 29 students had the opportunity to take company class and learn directly from Pointeworks artists Nicole Von Enck, Rayleigh Vendt, Angel Ramirez, and Artistic Director Sophie Williams, gaining insight into professional level artistry, experience, and approach to movement. We loved watching the next generation of dancers learn, explore, and grow alongside our company artists. Photography by Sarah Catania @sarahmadisonphotography #Pointeworks #WestsideBallet #CompanyRepertoryWeek #BalletClass #LosAngelesDance taken in Santa Monica, California by @westsideballet
5
2 months ago
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