Western Ballet

11/05/09

A Great Place for People of All Ages and All Levels

by CamillaK at Citysearch

The Western Ballet is a great place for people of all ages and all levels to dance ballet. A month ago, as an adult with virtually no previous training, I began to attend an excellent lineup of classes for beginners that Francisco Avellan teaches. With patience and compassion, he explains at the barre basic movements of ballet by demonstrating them and breaking them down. At the center, he tailors interesting choreography to students who as individuals within a class know less or more. "You can do this version, or this one, or this one." Many adults have attended these classes for months continuously, progressing much. They speak of a deep sense of satisfaction. An adult advanced class that Alexi Zubiría teaches I have observed too. Alexi, the director of the Western Ballet, creates a similarly welcoming environment while challenging students with masterful choreography at the barre and center. (This class also provides a chance to see Alexi himself, who danced formerly with the San Francisco Ballet. An individual of immense talent, he does amazing jumps in work boots.) In addition, I was able to watch children in classes of nearly all levels (Pre-Ballet 1 to Level 8, approximately ages 4 to 18). Many children I saw dancing beautifully. Alexi oversees closely the youth program, which has a rigor that derives from his professional experience and emphasizes an artistry of the entire body (the upper as much as the lower). Recently I observed a busily efficient, afternoon-long rehearsal of the Nutcracker, the classical ballet which Alexi is directing and adults, teenagers and young children will perform in December. For persons of diverse ages and backgrounds, the Western Ballet offers many excellent avenues of ballet.

• Pros: Excellent atmosphere, faculty of pro dancers, non-profit org
• Cons: None