Southland Ballet Academy

Southland Ballet Academy (SBA) is the official school of Orange County’s Festival Ballet Theatre. Founded in 1983 by Salwa Rizkalla, the Academy cultivates the education and appreciation of classical ballet for both the beginning student and the professional dancer. Ms. Rizkalla’s vision is to perpetuate the discipline and technique of the Vaganova method of classical ballet, which she studied under the direction of the Russian masters, combined with the articulation of the American style in order to give a unique and safe experience to dancers of all ages. In a healthy caring environment, students share the joy of learning the art of dance and grow in confidence, concentration, memorization, coordination, self-motivation and artistic appreciation of dance. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes pre-school through advanced/professional classes in ballet, pointe, pas de deux, character, tap, jazz and more.

Exceptional Dancers - With its strong emphasis on ballet discipline and technique, the Southland Ballet Academy has consistently produced exceptional dancers who, upon graduation, have been accepted into ballet companies of great repute, such as: The Joffrey Ballet, California Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Hartford Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Washington Ballet and more.

Dancer Honors and Awards - Southland Ballet Academy's students are entered into prestigious national and international ballet competitions and receive important honors and awards year after year. In 2002 they participated in the USA International Ballet Competition Jackson, Mississippi. In the Los Angeles Music Center's Spotlight Awards they were finalists in 1992, 1993 and 2003, semi-finalists every year since 1991 and in 2005 the winner in the Classical Ballet Division . In the Youth America Grand Prix they received numerous awards every year, and in 2003, they were Silver and Bronze Medallists in the Senior Division. They were awarded prizes at the California Arts Education Emerging Young Artists Awards in 2001, were semi-finalists at the 1st Japan International Ballet & Modern Dance Competition, Nagoya Japan, in 1993, semi-finalists at the Sixth Masaka Ohya Japan World Ballet Competition, Osaka, Japan in 1991, semi-finalist in USA International Ballet Competition in 2002 and a finalist at the 2005 Helsinki International Ballet Competitiion.

Scholarships - Dancers have been awarded highly coveted scholarships such as The Disneyland Resort Creative Arts Scholarship and summer program scholarships to Bolshoi Ballet Academy, The American Ballet Theatre, , The Universal Ballet Academy, The Pennsylvania Ballet, Boston Ballet , Washington Ballet and twice to the Royal Ballet, U.K . among others.

Outstanding School - Recognizing more than 25 years of teaching excellence, the Youth America Grand Prix competition named Southland Ballet Academy's founder, Salwa Rizkalla, Best Teacher in 2002 , 2004 and 2005 and named Southland Ballet Academy Best School in 2003. In 2003 Ms. Rizkalla was awarded the Orange County Arts Educator of the Year for Secondary Dance.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Recital – All SBA students are given the opportunity to perform in the Academy’s annual recital. Each year students of all levels and dance disciplines (ballet, jazz, character, tap) perform with members of their class, giving them the opportunity to cultivate poise and confidence in their performance ability.

Holiday Presentation – Students who are enrolled in Tot, and PreBallet I and II are given a special opportunity to perform in a winter holiday theme studio performance for parents and friends.

Festival Ballet Theatre Productions – Selected Academy students are invited to perform in Festival Ballet Theatre’s annual productions of the Contemporary/Classical Repertoire, The Nutcracker and the Spring Ballet. This gives student the opportunity to perform for larger audiences and acts as a gateway for future roles with the Academy’s resident ballet company, Festival Ballet Theatre. Additional rehearsals are required in addition to minimum class attendance requirements. Roles are assigned depending on level and ability.

The academy is located at:

9527 Garfield Avenue
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Northeast corner of Garfield and Bushard

For directions and more information, please contact us