The historic Westside Ballet of Santa Monica continues its tradition of excellence with three spectacular events during the weekend of May 31st and June 1st. The two-day “Masters of Movement” performances have been crafted by leading and emerging talent alike to honor the rich heritage and bright future of the organization.
The first of these events, the Gala set for 7 pm on May 31st, will also recognize the heroic work of the Santa Monica and Los Angeles Fire & Police Departments’ first responders with the Huntley Santa Monica Beach Hotel Community Arts Award. As well as recognizing first responders, the Gala features extraordinary guest artists and celebrated choreography.
The Gala and follow-up events will take place at The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica. Additionally, the Masters of Movement Spring Showcase, presenting pre-professional dancers, takes place on Saturday, May 31st at 1 pm and Sunday, June 1st at 1 pm Pacific Time.
The Saturday evening Gala showcases New York City Ballet principals Tiler Peck—currently featured in Prime Video’s acclaimed series Étoile—and Roman Mejia, performing alongside 12-year-old prodigy Spencer Collins, who recently claimed the world’s top youth dancer title at the prestigious YAGP Finals.
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 40 families within the Westside Ballet community—including students, faculty, directors, and alumni—lost their homes in the Palisades and Altadena Fires. The Fire Relief Scholarship Fund assists with tuition, performance fees, and dancewear replacements, ensuring these young dancers can continue their training despite personal hardship.
This funding and recognition of those who go above and beyond continues Westside Ballet’s long history of community support. Under an education initiative, Westside is partnered with Santa Monica College. Through concurrent enrollment in SMC’s choreography course, Westside’s dancers who are high school students receive college credits—transferable to any of California’s public four-year colleges and universities.
Westside Ballet established an endowment fund to expand both merit and needs-based scholarships. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Westside Ballet provided approximately $100,000 in scholarships annually. The Chow Family Scholarship Fund was established in 2018 and over $150,000 has been raised to date. The nonprofit’s free Dance to Dreams program further exemplifies this commitment to accessibility, offering a week-long summer workshop for under-served students curious about ballet.
Select students who attend these free workshops and demonstrate an aptitude for the artform are offered scholarships to the school’s year-round training program, creating pathways for dancers from diverse backgrounds to pursue classical ballet education.
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).
Jewels Solheim-Roe
Photo Credit Sarah Madison- Culver City dance students @ Westside Ballet