SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH
Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Long Beach
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH
Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Long Beach
2024 FESTIVAL PROGRAM & GUEST ARTISTS
The Ballet Festival program showcases a range of ballet styles, from classical to contemporary, performed by some of the best ballet dancers in Southern California.
Special guest artist:
The legendary KATHRYN MORGAN, former soloist from New York City Ballet and Miami City Ballet, will be performing the exciting repertoire, George Balanchine's Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux, in our 2024 festival!
Featured ballet companies in our program:
Hollywood Ballet will present the iconic White Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake, performed by principal ballerina Petra Conti. Petra is a former principal ballerina with Boston Ballet, La Scala Ballet, and LA Ballet. She is now the artistic director of Hollywood Ballet.
Photography by Ksenia Orlova
The Realm Company, based in LA, and Anaheim Ballet, based in OC, will each present original choreography that pushes the boundaries of neoclassical ballet and exhibits the exciting athleticism of their company dancers.
Professional Dancers from across Southern California performing the following exciting lineup:
- Rachel Hutsell - former New York City Ballet, starring as Kitri
- Eduard Sargsyan - former Armenian National Ballet Theatre, starring as Basilio
- Alexander Romanchikov - former soloist, Mariinsky Ballet, starring as Espada
Rachel Hutsell
Photography by Hugh Foster
The elegant neoclassical work Kismet, a piece originally commissioned by the Smuin Ballet and choreographed by local artist Claire Buehler
Flower Festival pas de deux, a charming display of Bournonville choreography from the Romantic era
Original contemporary works by up-and-coming SoCal choreographers Jeff Raschiatore and Sadie Black
A collaboration with the Onco Ballet Foundation:
A premier of a new contemporary ballet piece, exploring the topic of what it means to experience a cancer diagnosis. Choreographed by Masha Cherezova, a young survivor of acute myeloid leukemia cancer, the piece will be performed exclusively by cancer survivors in the local community. Also featured in the piece is Anna Wassman-Cox, a 2x young breast cancer survivor and founder of Onco Ballet
We are pleased to announce our principal cast performing in our excerpt of Don Quixote - Act 1
Experience the timeless elegance and vibrant energy of the classical ballet Don Quixote, where passion, romance, and adventure collide in a captivating spectacle of virtuoso performances and dazzling choreography.
Our Ballet Festival will include an excerpt from this iconic story ballet, alongside a rich tapestry of other classical and contemporary works. Stay tuned for exciting updates on the rest of our program lineup!
Rachel Hutsellformerly New York City Ballet
starring as Kitri
starring as Kitri
Eduard Sargsyanformerly Armenian National Ballet Theatre
starring as Basilio
starring as Basilio
- Rachel Hutsell - former New York City Ballet, starring as Kitri
- Eduard Sargsyan - former Armenian National Ballet Theatre, starring as Basilio
- Alexander Romanchikov - former soloist, Mariinsky Ballet, starring as Espada
The elegant neoclassical work Kismet, a piece originally commissioned by the Smuin Ballet and choreographed by local artist Claire Buehler
Flower Festival pas de deux, a charming display of Bournonville choreography from the Romantic era
Original contemporary works by up-and-coming SoCal choreographers Jeff Raschiatore and Sadie Black
Act 1 of Don Quixote
Experience the vibrant energy of this classical story ballet set in Spain. Passion and romance collide in a captivating spectacle of virtuoso performances and dazzling choreography.
Rachel Hutsell
former New York City Ballet
starring as Kitri
starring as Kitri
Eduard Sargsyan
former Armenian National Ballet Theatre
starring as Basilio
starring as Basilio
Alexander Romanchikov
former soloist, Mariinsky Ballet
starring as Espada
starring as Espada
The elegant neoclassical work Kismet, a piece originally commissioned by the Smuin Ballet and choreographed by local artist Claire Buehler
Flower Festival pas de deux, a charming display of Bournonville choreography from the Romantic era
Original contemporary works by up-and-coming SoCal choreographers Jeff Raschiatore and Sadie Black
Collaborating with community partners
We are collaborating with another local non-profit, Onco-Ballet Foundation, to present a contemporary ballet piece dedicated to and including those who have faced cancer. Choreographed by Masha Cherezova, a young survivor of acute myeloid leukemia cancer, the piece will be performed exclusively by cancer survivors in the local community and explore the topic of what it means to go through a cancer diagnosis. Also featured in the piece is Anna Wassman-Cox, a 2x young breast cancer survivor who founded Onco-Ballet with the mission of providing free ballet classes to the cancer community.
Collaborating with community partners
We are collaborating with another local non-profit, Onco-Ballet Foundation, to present a contemporary ballet piece dedicated to and including those who have faced cancer. Choreographed by Masha Cherezova, a young survivor of acute myeloid leukemia cancer, the piece will be performed exclusively by cancer survivors in the local community and explore the topic of what it means to go through a cancer diagnosis. Also featured in the piece is Anna Wassman-Cox, a 2x young breast cancer survivor who founded Onco-Ballet with the mission of providing free ballet classes to the cancer community.
Masha CherezovaChoreographer
Anna Wassman-CoxOnco-Ballet Founder and Dancer
Our signature Ballet Festival brings together the best dance artists and companies in Southern California to perform a curated program of classical, contemporary, and commissioned ballet works.
Festival Day Timeline of Events:
- 2PM-4PM: Matinee performance
- 4PM-7PM: Outdoor arts fair. Join us for a complimentary fair on the theatre terrace with live music, food trucks, ballet photography exhibits, ballroom demonstrations, and more! Wine & beer will be available for purchase.
- 7PM-9PM: Evening performance
- 9PM-11PM: Post-show mixer. Mingle with the performing artists at our meet-and-greet reception in front of the theatre.
The beautiful Carpenter Performing Arts Center
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
2024 BALLET FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH
Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Long Beach
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
2024 BALLET FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH
Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Long Beach
Through the generosity of our event sponsors and individual supporters, we are able to provide donated tickets to youth from underserved neighborhoods in Santa Ana, Anaheim, Long Beach, Carson, and Los Angeles.
Interested in helping us spread the magic of world-class live theatre to these underserved youth, and more? Consider becoming an event sponsor.
BECOME A SPONSOR, AND ENJOY THESE BENEFITS:
- Business advertising to potentially be seen by over 2,000 people
- Audience population from both Orange County and LA
- Tax deduction on your contribution
Hi I’m Rena Kamariotakis, founder of SoCal Ballet Scene and our Signature Ballet Festival event. Having trained and danced professionally in Southern California myself, I saw so much local talent, yet few opportunities for the community to appreciate and be moved by these artists. The Festival was created to provide a performance platform to bring together dancers, choreographers, regional ballet companies, and connect them with the community to celebrate dance together. The entire event, from connections made backstage to the reception following the performance, created a real sense of community among dancers and audience members. All are welcome to join us in this celebration of ballet. I hope to see you at our next Signature Festival Event!
Open applications for professional artists are now closed!
Application Deadlines
- Choreographers & Regional Companies: April 6th 2024
- Freelance Dancers: April 19th 2024
We received many applications for our Festival this year from professional artists throughout Southern California. Thank you to all who have expressed enthusiasm and interest in being a part of this cultural event! Stay tuned for 2024 programming details to be announced soon!
Performance opportunity for recreational adult ballet dancers
We love the community of recreational dancers in Southern California, many of whom study ballet for years, but rarely are given the chance to dance on stage. We are thrilled to announce that we will be providing a performance opportunity for these dancers in our upcoming ballet festival this Fall - September 14th at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center!
This opportunity is open to advanced level recreational adult dancers with at least 10 years of ballet experience. We will be selecting a group to perform in the corps de ballet of Act 1 of Don Quixote. Perform onstage alongside the professional dancers in our festival!
- Pointe shoes are not required; The corps de ballet will dance in flat shoes
- Must be available to attend our open classes and rehearsals at Laguna Dance Theatre every Sunday from July 7th through September 8th
- No participation fees other than class tuition; unpaid performances
If you are interested in participating, email info@socalballetscene.com by June 1st 2024.
FESTIVAL GALLERY 2022
Photography: Samantha Zauscher
- Shenin Mesdaghi, audience member
- Chasen Greenwood, Artistic Director, The Realm Company
FESTIVAL PROGRAM 2022
September 24th, 2022
Robert B Moore Theatre
Costa Mesa, CA
When Leaving Isn’t An Option
The Realm Companydirector & choreographer Chasen Greenwood
performed by Matisse Love, David Prottas, Cynara Woolner, Melissa Briggs, Emily DeVito
music Realm Records, produced by Taylor Briggs
Tango Interlude
Contempo Balletdirector & choreographer Jose Costas
performed by Aoi Aihara, AJ Dirickson, Kiara Kinghorn, Rafael Austria, Sydney Tanji
music Por Siempre Tango & Bajofondo Tango
Fantasie Impromptu
choreographer Sharon Savoyperformed by Hannah Cox, Virginia Shields, Kelsey Dorr, Rena Kamariotakis
music Frédéric Chopin
Cut To The Chase
Pacific Ballet Dance Theatredirector & choreographer Natasha Middleton
performed by Adele Pomerenke, Patrick Fitzsimmons, Zach Padlo, Aramis Hermes, Aida Tonoyan, Nina Elmoyan
music Worakls
Spring Waters
Anaheim Balletchoreographer Asaf Messerer
directors Lawrence Rosenberg, Sarma Lapenieks Rosenberg
performed by Tatiana Ortega, Brayden Page
music Sergei Rachmaninoff
world premiere 1953 - Moscow, Russia
excerpt from Le Corsaire - Odalisques
choreographer Marius Petipaperformed by Rena Kamariotakis, Kelsey Dorr, Samantha Bell
music Adolphe Adam
world premiere 1858 - St Petersburg, Russia
excerpt from Light Rain
Kenneth Walker Dance Projectchoreographer Gerald Arpino
director Kenneth Walker
performed by Gia Calhoun, Elijah Pressman
music Douglas Adams, Russ Gauthier
performed with permission of the Gerald Arpino Foundation
excerpt from Carousel
Pacific Ballet Dance Theatredirector & choreographer Natasha Middleton
performed by Kozue Kasahara, Eduard Sargsyan, Patrick Fitzsimmons, Yasuein Paradise, Zach Padlo, Aramis Hermès
music Rogers and Hammerstein
excerpt from The Lady of the Camellias
choreographer John Neumeierperformed by Maire New, Matthew Schroeder
music Frédéric Chopin
world premiere 1978 - Stuttgart, Germany
Insignificant Betrayals
choreographer Jeff Raschiatoreperformed by Hannah Cox, Claire Nguyen, Alec Guthrie
music Philip Glass
excerpt from Flames of Paris
choreographer Vasily Vainonenperformed by Tara Ghassemieh, Vitor Luiz
music Boris Asafiev
world premiere 1932 - Leningrad, Russia
When Leaving Isn’t An Option
The Realm Companydirector & choreographer Chasen Greenwood
performed by Matisse Love, David Prottas, Cynara Woolner, Melissa Briggs, Emily DeVito
music Realm Records, produced by Taylor Briggs
Tango Interlude
Contempo Balletdirector & choreographer Jose Costas
performed by Aoi Aihara, AJ Dirickson, Kiara Kinghorn, Rafael Austria, Sydney Tanji
music Por Siempre Tango & Bajofondo Tango
Fantasie Impromptu
choreographer Sharon Savoyperformed by Hannah Cox, Virginia Shields, Kelsey Dorr, Rena Kamariotakis
music Frédéric Chopin
Cut To The Chase
Pacific Ballet Dance Theatredirector & choreographer Natasha Middleton
performed by Adele Pomerenke, Patrick Fitzsimmons, Zach Padlo, Aramis Hermes, Aida Tonoyan, Nina Elmoyan
music Worakls
Spring Waters
Anaheim Balletchoreographer Asaf Messerer
directors Lawrence Rosenberg, Sarma Lapenieks Rosenberg
performed by Tatiana Ortega, Brayden Page
music Sergei Rachmaninoff
world premiere 1953 - Moscow, Russia
excerpt from Le Corsaire - Odalisques
choreographer Marius Petipaperformed by Rena Kamariotakis, Kelsey Dorr, Samantha Bell
music Adolphe Adam
world premiere 1858 - St Petersburg, Russia
excerpt from Light Rain
Kenneth Walker Dance Projectchoreographer Gerald Arpino
director Kenneth Walker
performed by Gia Calhoun, Elijah Pressman
music Douglas Adams, Russ Gauthier
performed with permission of the Gerald Arpino Foundation
excerpt from Carousel
Pacific Ballet Dance Theatredirector & choreographer Natasha Middleton
performed by Kozue Kasahara, Eduard Sargsyan, Patrick Fitzsimmons, Yasuein Paradise, Zach Padlo, Aramis Hermès
music Rogers and Hammerstein
excerpt from The Lady of the Camellias
choreographer John Neumeierperformed by Maire New, Matthew Schroeder
music Frédéric Chopin
world premiere 1978 - Stuttgart, Germany
Insignificant Betrayals
choreographer Jeff Raschiatoreperformed by Hannah Cox, Claire Nguyen, Alec Guthrie
music Philip Glass
excerpt from Flames of Paris
choreographer Vasily Vainonenperformed by Tara Ghassemieh, Vitor Luiz
music Boris Asafiev
world premiere 1932 - Leningrad, Russia
PO Box 1239, Lake Forest, CA 92609
© SoCalBalletScene. All Rights Reserved.
Our signature Ballet Festival brings together the best dance artists and companies in Southern California to perform a curated program of classical, contemporary, and commissioned ballet works.
New to the ballet scene? We’ve got you covered. The festival has something for everyone to enjoy. Presented in an entertaining, educational format, each piece is introduced with interesting insights enhancing the viewing experience for all.
Festival Day Timeline of Events:
- 2PM-4PM: Matinee performance
- 4PM-7PM: Outdoor arts fair. Join us for a complimentary fair on the theatre terrace with live music, food trucks, ballet photography exhibits, ballroom demonstrations, and more! Wine & beer will be available for purchase.
- 7PM-9PM: Evening performance
- 9PM-11PM: Post-show mixer. Mingle with the performing artists at our meet-and-greet reception in front of the theatre.
Join us at the beautiful Carpenter Performing Arts Center on September 14th!
Our signature Ballet Festival brings together the best dance artists and companies in Southern California to perform a curated program of classical, contemporary, and commissioned ballet works.
New to the ballet scene? We’ve got you covered. The festival has something for everyone to enjoy. Presented in an entertaining, educational format, each piece is introduced with interesting insights enhancing the viewing experience for all.
Join us at the beautiful Carpenter Performing Arts Center on September 14th!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH
Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Long Beach
- Rachel Hutsell - former New York City Ballet, starring as Kitri
- Eduard Sargsyan - former Armenian National Ballet Theatre, starring as Basilio
- Alexander Romanchikov - former soloist, Mariinsky Ballet, starring as Espada
The elegant neoclassical work Kismet, a piece originally commissioned by the Smuin Ballet and choreographed by local artist Claire Buehler
Flower Festival pas de deux, a charming display of Bournonville choreography from the Romantic era
Original contemporary works by up-and-coming SoCal choreographers Jeff Raschiatore and Sadie Black
Special guest artist:
The legendary KATHRYN MORGAN, former soloist from New York City Ballet and Miami City Ballet, will be performing in our 2024 festival!
Featured ballet companies in our program:
Hollywood Ballet will present the iconic White Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake, performed by principal ballerina Petra Conti. Petra is a former principal ballerina with Boston Ballet, La Scala Ballet, and LA Ballet. She is now the artistic director of Hollywood Ballet.
Photography by Ksenia Orlova
The Realm Company, based in LA, and Anaheim Ballet, based in OC, will each present original choreography that pushes the boundaries of neoclassical ballet and exhibits the exciting athleticism of their company dancers.
Open applications for professional artists are now closed!
Application Deadlines
- Choreographers & Regional Companies: April 6th 2024
- Freelance Dancers: April 19th 2024
We received many applications for our Festival this year from professional artists throughout Southern California. Thank you to all who have expressed enthusiasm and interest in being a part of this cultural event! Stay tuned for 2024 programming details to be announced soon!
Performance opportunity for recreational adult ballet dancers
We love the community of recreational dancers in Southern California, many of whom study ballet for years, but rarely are given the chance to dance on stage. We are thrilled to announce that we will be providing a performance opportunity for these dancers in our upcoming ballet festival this Fall - September 14th at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center!
This opportunity is open to advanced level recreational adult dancers with at least 10 years of ballet experience. We will be selecting a group to perform in the corps de ballet of Act 1 of Don Quixote. Perform onstage alongside the professional dancers in our festival!
- Pointe shoes are not required; The corps de ballet will dance in flat shoes
- Must be available to attend our open classes and rehearsals at Laguna Dance Theatre every Sunday from July 7th through September 8th
- No participation fees other than class tuition; unpaid performances
If you are interested in participating, email info@socalballetscene.com by June 1st 2024.
2024 Festival application deadlines for SoCal artists:
- Choreographers & Regional Companies: April 6th
- Freelance Dancers: April 19th
Back by popular demand! - Adult pas de deux workshop, with limited class size of 12 participants!
For Intermediate and Advanced levels.
Female students will be partnered by professional male dancers from the local area.
Male student will be partnered by one of our female professionals.
Location:
Laguna Dance Theatre
23854 Vía Fabricante F3, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
- contemporary ballet choreography with regional choreographers
- pas de deux workshops where adult students learn the art of partnering with local professional partners to help guide them
"I spent a few hours today with SoCal Ballet Scene taking their open class and then the Pas de Deux workshop adult class. I spent my teenage years dancing at a tiny school in rural Nebraska. The ONLY boy was about ten years old when I was 16 so we certainly didn't do any partnering! I really appreciated this opportunity to finally get to try partnering. It was challenging and quite different from dancing alone, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to do more in the future. Thank you to Edward Sargsyan for being such a skilled partner and keeping me safe and on my leg!"
- Gina Buccolo