California Ballet Company

From its inception in 1968, California Ballet Company has been a fertile ground for the re-staging of the demanding classics and for the creation of its own trail-blazing works. Later on, the CBC bestowed on emerging young choreographers, many from San Diego, an opportunity to create and to develop through the company their own personal dance statements. In addition, the CBC has influenced, nurtured and enriched the lives of generations of committed dancers - artist, many of whom are now performing on four continents. Furthermore, unusual for a US company this size, from very early on, the CBC began to acquire a distinct international profile. Later on, the CBC became a ballet ambassador, as it shared, gave and received artistic knowledge and hospitality, at home, south of the border and as far away as Romania, Russia and Georgia. Finally, throughout this thirty-five year saga, the company enriched the area and also found a supportive echo in its California native soil, which has cherished this jewel enduring in its midst. Director Maxine Mahon began recreating full length classics in 1971. Charles Bennett, longtime Associate Director, contributed several signature works, works based on San Diego’s historical and Spanish roots as well as children’s ballets. Dame Sonia Arova and Thor Sutowski produced a beautiful rendition of Swan Lake (1997) and others. In addition, CBC has enriched its repertoire with interesting contributions by CBC dancers and teachers. In 1972, the foundation for the Company was laid in the California Ballet School. It is here that the directors and senior performing members of the company act as dance instructors in ballet, jazz, and modern dance. After more than three decades, the company is proud to recognize alumni in New York and other American cities, in Austria, Canada, Norway, South Africa and the Philippines. In 1974, Company members Marlene Jones and Douglas Hevenor participated in the Seventh International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria where Bennett garnered second place for Albinoni Adagio. The Romanian Government invited Mahon as the first American dancer educator to teach, choreograph and lecture throughout Romania. Jones and Hevenor received special performance prizes at the ’76 First Tokyo World Ballet Concours. Bennett received a gold medal. CBC also participated in competitions in Varna, Bulgaria/’78, Jackson, Mississippi/’86, Helsinki, Finland/’91 and Jackson, Mississippi/’94. In 1976-77, Oleg Danovsky and Marius Zirra came to San Diego to teach and choreograph. CBC made ballet history with Stanislav Issaev (Moscow Classical Ballet) coming to guest in ‘86-’87. This was the first appearance of a major Soviet ballet star with American ballerinas. In ‘88-’89 two Soviet choreographers and two pairs of Soviet stars worked with CBC. In ’90, CBC hosted Pisarev and Dorfeyeva for the US-Russian Art Festival and hosted an evening for the Bolshoi School. In 1989 and ’91 respectively, CBC students Calvin Kitten, Karla Navarrete and Jennifer Curry studied in Tbilisi, Georgia. CBC has performed in Tijuana, Mexico, and at the Summer Festival of San Lois Potosi. Dancers from Mexico are continually invited to perform with CBC, enhancing many productions. Since 1995, the company has made annual tours of the Western United States with its popular production of The Nutcracker, and has been accepted into the California Arts Council’s prestigious Performing Arts Touring and Presenting Program. Mahon has choreographed for Starlight Opera and SD Opera productions, with whom CBC dancers regularly perform. In addition, Mahon’s desire to bring awareness of dance to the public has led to the creation of a successful series of lecture programs. Funding has been provided by grants from the California Arts Council including an Exemplary Arts in Education Grant, the National Endowment for the Arts and CETA. The Company currently enjoys support from the City of SD Commission for Arts and Culture and the SD County Enhancement Program. The CBC is a miracle of the vision and determination of its indomitable founder Maxine Mahon, and the fire which she transmitted to her collaborators, which has molded them into the shining institution which is today the multi-faceted California Ballet Company of San Diego. Founded in 1968, the California Ballet School is among the largest professionally staffed schools of dance on the West Coast. Their faculty have impressive performance backgrounds and have danced with many of the most prestigious companies in the country, including New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Many of the School's graduates have gone on to professional careers in dance with companies nationwide. Maxine Mahon, Faculty Principal, has carefully guided the artistic and administrative development of the School into a fully professional school of dance. Under her hand, California Ballet School maintains successful pre-professional and apprentice programs that provide the caliber of training, technique, style, and environment needed for the most talented students to enter the world of professional dance. In addition to training in classical ballet, the School offers a diverse curriculum that includes jazz, tap, body mechanics, Spanish dancing, and dance-related workshops in make-up, mime, and production. Special classes for young children emphasize rhythm, movement, and creative expression. Classes for adults provide excellent dance training in a more recreational atmosphere. The School has a comprehensive Tuition Assistance Program that includes merit scholarship, financial need, and student and/or parent work-study programs. Applications for tuition assistance consideration are available upon request. The state-of-the-art Main Centre in Kearny Mesa is also home to the professional company, giving students the opportunity to observe professional dancers at work. The School also maintains branch facilities in El Cajon, Pacific Beach and La Mesa.