With a ballet career encompassing more than eight decades, she touched the lives of thousands through her dancing, her choreography, her teaching, and the example she set of a life welllived. Westside ballet is full of integrity, inspiration and important life lessons. Dec 08, 2019 westside s the nutcracker is a close rendition of george balanchines classical nutcracker ballet, paying homage to the original danced in 19thcentury russia. Nov 22, 2019 this is a close rendition of george balachines homage to the original nutcracker danced in 19 th century russia.
Westside ballets cofounder yvonne mounsey danced professionally with george balanchine, as one of his original new york city ballets prima ballerinas. Maya expresses mounseys ability to create such a powerful and strong piece, yet adds so many soft and warm movements simultaneously. Crawfords performing experience has taken her all over the us and has given her the opportunity to work with artists such as yvonne mounsey, founder of westside ballet of santa monica, rosemary valaire, maria talchief, allegra kent, melissa hayden, and jacques damboise. On saturday, westside ballet director yvonne mounsey passed away at the age of 93. In response to the unprecedented need, may 5th has been. Westside ballet founder big absence in nutcracker production. The westside ballet s storied history starts with its firstgeneration direct legacy descent from the prestigious new york city ballet and the royal ballet. The perseverance that continues no matter what is going on in our lives or the world through decades, including the enduring spirits of the founders, yvonne mounsey and rosemary valaire. Dec 06, 2018 about westside ballet of santa monica westside ballet of santa monica, a nonprofit organization, is one of the nations premier ballet training companies. Picking up where mounsey left off, the schools two yearly productions are now in harleys. There, she trained over four decades of dancers in balanchine technique and staged the nutcracker annually for 39 years. In memoriam yvonne mounsey 1919 2012, founding artistic director.
Westside dancers among performers in nutcracker culver city news. At age 16, she began her professional career with san francisco ballet. Westside ballets nutcracker features palisadian dancers. Westside ballet presents the nutcracker one weekend only. Oct 04, 2012 mounsey was the artistic director of westside ballet in california. Richard tahvildaranjesswein said mounsey was an inspiration to his 14 year old daughter nova. The nutcracker will be performed at the the broad stage at santa monica college performing arts center, 10 11th st, santa monica, ca 90401. It is with great sadness that westside ballet marked the passing of yvonne mounsey, founding director of the westside school of ballet in september 2012.
Westside ballet of santa monica celebrates 46th annual. During mounsey s distinguished career with new york city ballet, she created the role of center spanish in balanchines original production of the nutcracker. Yvonne mounsey a principal dancer with the new york city ballet between 1949 and 1958 established in 1967 what would eventually become the westside school of ballet in santa monica, and where harley would learn to dance during her childhood. A few weekends ago, westside school of ballet held its annual spring performance at pepperdines smothers theatre. Westside ballet announces 2014 performances of the nutcracker. Nov 18, 2009 mounsey cofounded johannesburg city ballet, now pact ballet company, in 1960. Westside ballet nutcracker tradition includes santa monica. Spring performance ballet to feature culver dancers. Described as a dancer of glamour, wit, and striking presence, she spent ten years with the new york city ballet 19491959, where she created important roles in the works of george balanchine and jerome robbins. Westside ballet longstanding production of the nutcracker. Westside ballet founder big absence in nutcracker production 89. Santa monica october, 2009 for 37 years, audiences have thrilled to westside ballets annual lavish fulllength production of the. From the moment the lights dim, youll be transported with clara to a magical world filled with a christmas tree that grows to the ceiling, menacing mice, a dashing prince who takes her through the land of the dancing snowflakes replete with falling snow led by the.
Crawfords ballet training ranges from french, russian, and cecchetti. Artistic directors westside ballet of santa monica. It will be performed dec 79 at the wadsworth theatre in brentwood. The nutcracker in malibuits a family affair malibu life. Westside ballet of santa monicas the nutcracker is the traditional fulllength ballet set to p. Artistic directors westside ballet of santa monica westside ballet.
During this time, she also studied with former nycb principal yvonne mounsey at westside school of ballet in santa monica. The westside ballets storied history starts with its firstgeneration direct legacy descent from the prestigious new york city ballet and the royal ballet. For over 45 years, audiences have thrilled to westside ballet s lavish productions of the nutcracker. As a principal dancer with new york city ballet, she danced the lead in numerous ballets for george balanchine, where she absorbed his teaching style.
Performing for the sixth year in a row at the broad stage, westsides nutcracker is accompanied by santa monica colleges symphony orchestra, which helps bring. Topanga ballerinas showcased in centennial gala monline. Santa monica westside ballet california nutcracker ballet at. Palisadian dresses cast for westside ballets nutcracker. Yvonne mounsey 2 september 1919 29 september 2012 was a south africanamerican ballet dancer and teacher. Arts, visual and performing ballet study and teaching. The santa monicabased school was founded in 1967 by yvonne mounsey, a former new york city ballet soloist under george balanchine, and rosemary valaire, who was a solo dancer with britians royal ballet. Yvonne mounsey founded westside ballet in 1967, and trained three generations of dancers until her passing in september, 2012. Yvonne mounsey founded westside ballet school of ballet in 1967 and the company in 1973, where she trained generations of dancers until her passing in 2012. Oct 03, 2012 yvonne mounsey, a dancer of glamour, wit and striking presence who created many roles for george balanchine and jerome robbins with new york city ballet before founding a prominent west coast.
Overseeing the production as artistic director is yvonne mounsey, founder of westside ballet of santa monica and former principal dancer with new york city ballet under george balanchine. Every year since the schools founding by yvonne mounsey in 1967, its students have been awarded scholarships with major ballet company schools and summer programs. This preprofessional company was created by yvonne mounsey and rosemary valaire in 1970. Teresa was trained in santa monica at the westside ballet under yvonne mounsey and rosemary valaire. On saturday, june 8th, 2019, at the broad stage in santa monica, we had an unprecedented centennial gala to celebrate westside ballet cofounder yvonne mounsey s 100th birthday, as well as the generous support of the sassounian family and the huntley beach hotel, pillars. Veyette trained with yvonne mounsey and was personally coached by nader hamed. Yvonne mounsey, bringing ballanchine to the westside. Nov 18, 2009 francine kessler lavac, with yvonne mounsey, founder of westside ballet school, coaches one of the students in preparation for this years presentation of the nutcracker. Veyette entered the school of american ballet sab, the official school of new york city ballet, in the fall of 1998. Westside ballet of santa monica celebrates 47th annual. Our legacy westside ballet of santa monica westside. Since my mom, yvonne mounsey, died in 2012 i have taken over the school and company and hired a new artistic director, martine harley. An instructor gets her student ready for a nutcracker rehearsal at westside ballet in santa monica, calif.
While there, she competed and won 4th place in the 1982 international ballet competition at jacksonville, mississippi. The schools nutcracker tradition began just six years later. Westside ballet training in classical ballet for all. We also nurture dance itself in the community, with affordable, accessible performances. Meet allegra clegg of westside school of ballet in santa. Yvonne mounsey and westside ballet s the nutcracker but working with george balanchine during her decade as a dancer with new york city ballet prompted mounsey to rethink the vicissitudes of teaching. About westside ballet company westside ballet company, a nonprofit organization, is one of the nations premier ballet training companies.
Westside ballet school news westside ballet of santa. Dec 02, 2011 during a recent dress rehearsal for westside ballets 39th annual production of the nutcracker, yvonne mounsey sat in a directors chair and looked visibly unhappy as some 30 mostly pre. The nutcracker from westside ballet the broad stage. Thanks to all who joined us to celebrate yvonne mounseys centennial and the. Andrew veyette was born in denver, colorado, and began his dance training at the age of 9, studying with betty downs at dance arts in visalia, california. Veyette continued his studies at westside ballet in santa monica, california. Nutcracker ballet nutcracker ballet performances in. Westside ballet of santa monicas the nutcracker is held annually at. This preprofessional company was created by yvonne mounsey new york city ballet and rosemary valaire royal ballet in 1973. The artistic interpretation captures the spirit of choreographer george balanchine, as passed on by westsides founder yvonne mounsey, who. Trained locally and in paris with olga preobrazhenska and lyubov egorova. The nutcracker 2019 westside ballet of santa monica. Westside ballet of santa monicas talented preprofessional. Westside ballet of santa monica annual holiday classic the nutcrackers artistic direction closely follows that of george balanchines original version.
In 2017, novak joined the trainee program at boston ballet school for the 20172018 school year. We paid tribute to westside ballet s founder with a centennial gala honoring the past, present andmost importantlythe future of this community gem, showcasing the company, alumni and guest stars in the masterworks of george balanchine and yvonne mounsey. Her initial training was with yvonne mounsey and rosemary valaire at westside ballet in santa monica. In 2006, womack enrolled in the austin school of classical ballet, before studying at the kirov ballet from 20072009. From student to being a part of the artistic staff i have watched our school continue. Westside ballet of santa monicas classical the nutcracker. Westside ballet s cofounder yvonne mounsey danced professionally with george balanchine, as one of his original new york city ballet s prima ballerinas. Oct 11, 2012 yvonne mounsey, owner of the westside ballet company and former principal dancer for new york city ballet, died sept. May 30, 2019 maya will also be dancing classical symphony, an original piece by yvonne mounsey, the founder of westside ballet. The nutcracker in malibuits a family affair malibu.
In 2006, womack enrolled in the austin school of classical ballet, before studying at. Westside founder yvonne mounsey, who created the nutcracker role of center spanish during the peak of her career as principal dancer with the new york city ballet, brought this classic to southern california in 1973. Westside ballets cofounder yvonne mounsey danced professionally with george balanchine, as one of his original new york city ballets. Dec 10, 2018 hailing from santa monica, this company has been presenting the ballet since 1973, with a classic choreographed version by their late founders yvonne mounsey and rosemary valaire. Socals longest running production of the nutcracker returns for its 47th magical holiday season. Thanks to all who joined us to celebrate yvonne mounsey s centennial and the generous support of the sassounian family. South africanborn mounsey had a career which spanned over eight decades, first beginning in 1937 in britain at the carl rose opera company. Westside school of ballet in santa monica is dedicated to excellence in training and the development of the student as an artist.
She began her formal dance training in santa monica at the westside school of ballet. I received ballet lessons from my grandmother for my 10th birthday and westside has been in my life ever since. Westside ballet training in classical ballet for all ages. But trust me, the westside ballet production stands out from the crowd.
The artistic interpretation captures the spirit of choreographer george balanchine, as passed on by westsides founder yvonne mounsey, who created the nutcracker role of center spanish during the peak of her career as principal dancer with new york city ballet. This year the show went on despite the absence of the schools founder, yvonne mounsey. Westside ballet of santa monica annual holiday classic the nutcracker s artistic direction closely follows that of george balanchines original version. She and her fraternal twin sister were full scholarship recipients to the school of american ballet sab in new york. During a recent dress rehearsal for westside ballet s 39th annual production of the nutcracker, yvonne mounsey sat in a directors chair and looked visibly unhappy as some 30 mostly pre. In its 5th decade of performances, westside ballet of santa monica. Oderkirk trained with westside ballet until she was 16, and performed previously with the san francisco ballet.
Westside ballets nutcracker has withstood the test of time and become one of the coveted. And while each and every show that westside puts on is a delight to all audience members, this years performances were especially sentimental to those who knew yvonne mounsey, beloved teacher and founder of westside. The company westside ballet of santa monica westside ballet. For over 45 years, audiences have thrilled to westside ballets lavish productions of the nutcracker. Mounsey brought his holiday classic to southern california in 1973, adding a few touches of her own artistic choreography. Peck entered the school of american ballet, the official school of new york city ballet, for most of the 20002001 winter term. The company westside ballet of santa monica westside. Santa monica westside ballet california nutcracker ballet. Outreach westside ballet of santa monica westside ballet.
Westside ballet of santa monica celebrates 47th annual nutcracker. Hit play below to listen to our arts alive feature on westside ballets. She was trained in vaganova technique under yvonne mounsey. Since its founding in 1970 by former new york city ballet principal dancer yvonne mounsey, and royal ballet s rosemary valaire, westside ballet of santa monica has introduced thousands of local families to the art of ballet. Huntington academy of dance ballet etudes nutcracker ballet. There she performed in many ballets including the nutcracker sugarplum fairy, sleeping beauty aurora, serenade waltz girl, and don quixote.