Founder of The Ballet Agency, Brittany Cavaco showing a donated leotard from Elevé Dancewear to Westside Ballet’s Artistic Director Martine Harley and student Olivia Legowiecki—both Malibu residents who lost their homes in the Palisades re. Also pictured (from behind) is intermediate student dancer Addision Russel from the Palisades who also lost her home.
Photo Courtesy: The Ballet Agency
Westside Ballet teamed up with professional ballerina Brittany Cavaco and The Ballet Agency on February 22 and 23 to host a Dancewear Drive for dancers affected by the recent LA fires.
A total of 42 families from Westside Ballet were affected, including the owner of the studio, Allegra Clegg, the founder’s daughter, and Martine Harley, the artistic director.
This drive supported more than 70 dancers, ages 2 to 75, who were impacted.
A large box of donated pointe shoes at The Ballet Agency’s Dancewear Drive, held at Westside Ballet. Through a collaborative effort, major brands like Freed, Bloch, Capezio, and Suffolk contributed to the $80,000 worth of dancewear.
Photo Courtesy: The Ballet Agency.
The Ballet Agency, led by professional ballerina Cavaco, coordinated a successful drive to collect new and gently used dancewear from major dance brands, including Bloch, Discount Dance, Capezio, Blue Water Dance, Freed, Suffolk, and Orza, collectively contributing over $80,000 worth of new and gently used items.
Additionally, the ballet community organized personalized collections from dance studios and companies nationwide, ensuring that each dancer received the right size and gear to return to the studio and stage.
“Dance is more than just a passion for these dancers—it’s their lifeline. We wanted to make sure that no dancer would have to face the additional stress of replacing their gear in the wake of such a devastating loss,” said Cavaco. “We are so thankful to the brands and the ballet community who responded so generously. Together, we’re helping these dancers rebuild.
Westside Ballet also launched its own fundraising initiatives to support the affected dancers and their families. The organization’s efforts include:
- GoFundMe Campaign: Westside Ballet successfully raised $75,000 through a GoFundMe campaign aimed at providing short-term relief to dance families in need.
- Fire Relief Scholarship Fund: In addition to the GoFundMe campaign, Westside Ballet created a Fire Relief Scholarship Fund, which will continue to assist impacted families with tuition fees, dancewear, and performance costs. This fund will help dancers continue their training and take part in future productions. Donations to the Fire Relief Scholarship Fund can be made via Venmo @westsideballetofsantamonica.
“Once again, Westside has become the sanctuary for so many,” Clegg said. “We were a safe haven for our kids during Covid and now for all our dancers, adults and children, who lost everything in the fires. Westside is here to welcome them in and let them dance through this tragic time.”
For more information or to donate to the Fire Relief Scholarship Fund, please visit www.westsideballet.com
Volunteers at Westside Ballet sort through donated dancewear, part of a community-driven effort to support dancers affected by the recent Los Angeles fires.
Photo Courtesy: The Ballet Agency