The Westside Ballet continues its tradition of excellence with three spectacular events on May 31 and June 1. A Gala will take place at 7 p.m. on May 31. Not only will the evening feature extraordinary guest artists and exquisite choreography, first responders from the Santa Monica and Los Angeles Fire & Police Departments will be recognized with the Huntley Santa Monica Beach Hotel Community Arts Award.
This event and two showcases at 1 p.m. on Saturday May 31 and Sunday, June 1, will be held at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica.
Gala
A portion of the proceeds from the Gala will support Westside Ballet’s Fire Relief Scholarship Fund, established in response to the devastating Los Angeles fires of early 2025. Over 55 families within the Westside Ballet community—including students, faculty, directors, and alumni and Allegra Clegg, the founder’s daughter, and the artistic director Martine Harley, also lost their homes.
The Gala will feature New York City Ballet principals and Westside alumna Tiler Peck with Roman Mejia performing Jerome Robbins’ celebrated Other Dances, originally created for Natalia Makarova and Mikhail Baryshnikov. The evocative duet, set to a waltz and four mazurkas by Frédéric Chopin, will feature a live piano accompaniment.
Another highlight of the program will be Justin Peck’s Bloom. A pas de deux featuring leading dancers from Los Angeles Ballet Kate Inoue and Marcos Ramirez, the piece incorporates Peck’s signature style of low lifts, rapid spinning, and constant changes of direction, mixed with opulent slow movements.
Additionally, August Bournonville’s Le Conservatoire, a one-act ballet from 1849 that recreates a Vestris dance class, will be performed by Westside Ballet’s pre-professional and advanced students. Highlighting the Danish choreographer’s signature style of intricate footwork and lively jumps, this rarely performed masterpiece is staged by Westside Ballet alumnus Adrian Blake Mitchell, current Associate Executive Director.
Harley said, “This year’s Masters of Movement program offers audiences an extraordinary opportunity to experience ballet through the ages—from Bournonville’s classical 19th-century techniques to Jerome Robbins’ mid-century masterpieces and Justin Peck’s contemporary innovations. These performances celebrate our rich history and our continued commitment to developing the next generation of exceptional dancers.”
Spring Showcase Programming
These Palisadian dancers will perform this weekend at the Westside Ballet Gala and Showcase.(Left to right, back row) Valentina Finci, Addison Russell, Zola Maksimo, Olivia Yu and Laurel O’Donnell; (front left to right) Carlin McCaffrey, Zoe Nakamura, Imogen Marble and Ines Macpherson.
Photo: SARA MADISON
The Gala and Spring Showcase will feature 11-year-old Westside Ballet prodigy Spencer Collins, who was recently awarded the prestigious Hope Award at the 2025 Youth America Grand Prix Finals—the highest honor of the entire competition—ranking him as the top dancer in his age group worldwide across both boys and girls.
Also dancing this weekend are Palisadians Addison Russell, Carlin McCaffrey, Imogen Marble, Ines Macpherson, Kaia Sappington, Laurel O’Donnell, Olivia Yu, Valentina Finci, Zoe Nakamura and Zola Maksimo.
A Celebrated Alumnus
Alumnus Andrew Veyette will be awarded the prestigious Bravo! Award during the Gala. Born in Denver, Colorado, Veyette began his dance training at the age of 9 with Betty Downs in Visalia, California. He continued his studies at Westside Ballet in Santa Monica under Yvonne Mounsey and Nader Hamed. In 1998, he entered the School of American Ballet (SAB). By spring 2000, he had become an apprentice with New York City Ballet and joined as a corps de ballet member later that season. He was promoted to soloist in March 2006 and to principal dancer in May 2007. This will be Mr. Veyette’s final season with New York City Ballet.
Funding and ticketing information
Showcase tickets are priced at $50 and the Gala performance is priced at $195. Tickets for these must-see dance events of the season may be purchased online at westsideballet.com/SpringTix or by phone (additional fees apply) at (800) 595-4849 (4TIX).