The Southland Ballet Academy is the training ground for the best dancers in Orange County. The Academy is dedicated to excellence in dance training. Since 1983, when the Fountain Valley campus opened, many students have gone on to dance with prestigious ballet companies around the world including Laurel Benson, Corp Artist with Ballet West in Utah, Agnes Su, Stuttgart Ballet, and Tyler Donatelli with the Houston Ballet.

Laurel Benson, photo courtesy of Ballet West

Laurel Benson, photo courtesy of Ballet West

 

Anges Su, Photo by Dave Friedman

Anges Su, Photo by Dave Friedman

Here is a video of Tyler Donatelli performing during the Youth American Grand Prix regionals in Los Angeles in 2012, where she was the Grand Prix winner.

What is it about the Southland Ballet Academy training that prepares dancers for a career in professional ballet?

“I feel that (Artistic Director) Salwa and the Southland Ballet Academy have helped me grow so much as a dancer because of all the performance opportunities I was given,” shared Mariana Carillo, a University of Southern California student and currently a member of the Festival Ballet Theatre Company.

Mariana Carrillo, Photo by Dave Friedman

Mariana Carrillo, Photo by Dave Friedman

According to Anya Lydon, who recently received a scholarship for the Dutch National Ballet Summer Intensive and then was asked to be a trainee with their junior company: “All the amazing teachers and staff provided many opportunities for me to grow as a dancer. Southland provided an environment to build strong technique while at the same time, offering performances to enhance my artistic ability. Southland was a second home for me where I created lifelong friendships and memories. Southland gave me a sense of community which made me feel safe and loved.”