TICKETS ON SALE NOW
2025 BALLET FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH
Irvine Barclay Theatre
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2025
Irvine Barclay Theatre
Our signature Ballet Festival program showcases a range of ballet styles, from classical to contemporary, performed by some of the best ballet dancers in Southern California.
Our 2024 ballet festival was held at the stunning Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach
Get a glimpse of the 2024 festival program below:
Guest Artists
The legendary KATHRYN MORGAN, former soloist from New York City Ballet and Miami City Ballet, performed the exciting repertoire, George Balanchine's Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux, along with her partner Mate Szentes
Hollywood Ballet presented the iconic White Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake, performed by principal ballerina Petra Conti and principal dancer Eris Nezha. Petra and Eris are former principals from Boston Ballet, La Scala Ballet, and LA Ballet. They are now the artistic directors of Hollywood Ballet.
Featured Ballet Companies
Anaheim Ballet, based in OC, and The Realm Company, based in LA, each presented original choreography that exhibited the exciting athleticism of their company dancers.
2024 FESTIVAL PROGRAM & GUEST ARTISTS
The legendary KATHRYN MORGAN, former soloist from New York City Ballet and Miami City Ballet, performed the exciting repertoire, George Balanchine's Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux, along with her partner Mate Szentes
Hollywood Ballet presented the iconic White Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake, performed by principal ballerina Petra Conti and principal dancer Eris Nezha. Petra and Eris are former principals from Boston Ballet, La Scala Ballet, and LA Ballet. They are now the artistic directors of Hollywood Ballet.
Featured ballet companies in our program:
Anaheim Ballet, based in OC, and The Realm Company, based in LA, each presented original choreography that exhibited the exciting athleticism of their company dancers.
Professional Dancers from across Southern California performed the following exciting lineup:
- Rachel Hutsell - former New York City Ballet, starred as Kitri
- Eduard Sargsyan - former Armenian National Ballet Theatre, starred as Basilio
- Alexander Romanchikov - former soloist, Mariinsky Ballet, starred as Espada
- Rena Kamariotakis - artistic director of SoCal Ballet Scene, starred as Mercedes
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, featuring local dancers Chloe Verkinder and Alec Guthrie
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, explored 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 was performed exclusively by cancer survivors in the local community. Also featured in the piece was Anna Wassman-Cox, a 2x young breast cancer survivor and founder of Onco Ballet
Our 2024 ballet festival was held at the stunning Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach
FESTIVAL PROGRAM 2024
September 14th, 2024
Carpenter Performing Arts Center
Long Beach, CA
Anaheim Ballet
The White Number
Choreography: Sarma Lapenieks RosenbergMusic: Christopher Tin
Performed by Anaheim Ballet company dancers: Elan Alekzander, Scott Alexander, Haley Altman-Cipot, Jestoni Dagdag, Marcos Diaz, Jessica Dunn, Rebekah Evans, Chris Flores, Anabelle Gunderson, Brittney Hattrup, Damian Kelly, Kaitlyn Kenny, Jacqueline Navarrete Yanez, Tatiana Ortega, Brayden Page, Analisa Sabo, Crystal Wachs
Hollywood Ballet
excerpt from Swan Lake - white swan pas de deux
Choreography: Marius PetipaMusic: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performed by: Petra Conti, Eris Nezha
Former principal dancers La Scala Ballet and Boston Ballet
excerpt from Don Quixote - Act 1
Choreography after: Marius Petipa and Alexander GorskyMusic: Ludwig Minkus
Staging: Rena Kamariotakis
Corps de ballet choreography: Samantha Bell
Performed by:
Kitri - Rachel Hutsell, former New York City Ballet
Basilio - Eduard Sargsyan, former Armenian National Ballet Theatre
Espada - Alexander Romanchikov, former soloist Mariinsky Theatre
Mercedes - Rena Kamariotakis, artistic director of SoCal Ballet Scene
Espada’s toreadors - Damian Kelly, Chris Flores, Brayden Page, Jestoni Dagdag
Kitri’s friends - Karli Padilla, Stella SingYiun
Don Quixote - Steven Swope
Sancho Panza - Trevor Felter
Corps de ballet
Wendy Alcarez, Jade Audon, Darrin Blumfield, Alina Chun, Heidi Debrincat, Brenda Erlinger, Carli Forsythe, Susan Heatter, Abby Heston, Vikki Lee, Christine Pigott, Michael Taber, Joel Tercero, Clarissa Wylde
Onco Ballet
Flock
Music: Vivaldi recomposed by Max RichterChoreography: Maria Cherezova
Performed by: Anna Wassman, Maria Cherezova, Donna Bowden, Sarah Dzida, Kerry Hedley, Hannah King, Melissa Kittiwanich, Alison Ma, Judy Miller, Buffy Moreno, Aimee Murcia, Maria Quezada, Karen Skirvin, Samantha Vo, Helen Yum
Swing Time
Choreography: Sadie BlackMusic: Bernard Berkhout
Performed by: Haley Altman-Cipot, Claire Buehler, Jet Dagdag, Brooke DeSoto, Teresa Dietrich, Chris Flores, Madelynn Hampton, Damian Kelly, Alina Krasovskaya, Natasha Rader, Celyna Tran
excerpt from The Flower Festival in Genzano
Choreography: August BournonvilleMusic: Edvard Helsted
World premiere 1858 - Copenhagen, Denmark
Performed by: Chloe Verkinder, Alec Guthrie
Insignificant Betrayals
Choreography: Jeffrey RaschiatoreMusic: Philip Glass
Performed by: Anna Hirko, Teresa Dietrich, Damian Kelly, Jestoni Dagdag, Jacqueline Pierce
Kismet
Choreography: Claire BuehlerMusic: Peter Gregson
Performed by: Haley Altman-Cipot, Chris Flores, Alina Krasovskaya, Brayden Page, Alexander Romanchikov, Celyna Tran
The Realm Company
Reclaim What's Yours
Choreography: Chasen GreenwoodMusic: Taylor Briggs
Performed by TRC dancers: Hannah Barr, Melissa Briggs, Natalia Burns, Carmen Callahan, Sarah Chan, Harry Louis, Sofia Rochin, Mizuki Sako, Kristan Steckmann
Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux
Choreography: George BalanchineMusic: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performed with permission from the George Balanchine Trust
World premiere 1960 - New York City
Performed by: Kathryn Morgan, Mate Szentes
FESTIVAL GALLERY 2024
Photography: Samantha Zauscher
- Erin Longhofer
- Jackie Coffy
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.
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!
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
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.
PREVIOUS FESTIVALS
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
PO Box 1239, Lake Forest, CA 92609
© SoCalBalletScene. All Rights Reserved.
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
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.
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