Westside Ballet’s Spring Gala will honor and raise funds for the first responders who risked everything to save lives during the Los Angeles fires this past January. Currently featured in Prime Video’s ballet series Étoile, New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck will return to Westside Ballet to perform at Santa Monica’s BroadStage on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Joining Peck is NYC Ballet principal dancer Roman Majia along with 11-year-old Spencer Collins who also began his training at Westside School of Ballet. Spencer is the winner of the 2025 Hope Award at the prestigious Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) Finals competition. Tickets are on sale now.
Hailed as an “extraordinary convergence of ballet’s present and future stars” this performance will provide the audience with a rare glimpse at how well established artists support and inspire the next generation of ballet’s leading dancers. Peck began her journey to stardom at Westside School of Ballet and has now returned to help usher young Collins toward his own bright future. It is an opportunity to witness artistic mentorship at its best.
Tiler Peck in The Barre Project by William Forsythe – Photo by Christopher Duggan
When asked what continues to draw her to perform at Westside Ballet when she has so many offers around the world, Tiler Peck responded.
“Westside is ultimately the beginning of my road to New York City Ballet. It was the place that trained me during crucial years and two former NYCB ballerinas were my teachers – Yvonne Mounsey and Patricia Neary.” It was Mounsey and Neary who encouraged Peck to audition for the School of American Ballet. “If it weren’t for them, who knows where my career would have led me. I am very grateful to them and that is why Westside has such a special place in my heart.”
The Gala and follow-up events will take place at The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica. The Gala is on Saturday, May 31st at 7 pm and the Masters of Movement Spring Showcase, presenting pre-professional dancers, takes place on Saturday, May 31st at 1 pm and Sunday, June 1st at 1 pm Pacific Time.
The Saturday evening Gala performance will feature Tiler Peck and Roman Majia performing Other Dances choreographed by the iconic Jerome Robbins. Originally created for Natalia Makarova and Mikhail Baryshnikov, Other Dances is set to music by Frédéric Chopin. Peck and Majia will perform this evocative duet to live piano accompaniment.
Tiler Peck and Roman Majia in Other Dances by Jerome Robbins – Photo by Erin Baiano for NYCB.
Tiler Peck was asked what draws her to Jerome Robbins’ ballet Other Dances and how she and Roman Mejia approach making it their own while honoring that incredible lineage?
“Other Dances is a very special ballet that not many dancers are allowed to dance. I feel very privileged that the Robbins rehearsal directors saw the qualities in me that I thought would be a good fit for the ballet, “Peck responded. “Roman and I might not have the Russian background like Makarova or Baryshnikov, but we are musical and charismatic, and I think the ballet needs dancers that have strong technique but can dance with ease and abandonment”
The second work by Robbins on this amazing program is his capricious Circus Polka (1972), set to Stravinsky’s score originally created for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus by George Balanchine titled Parade of the Elephants (1942). The piece brings a procession of young dancers to the stage in a playful tribute to the joy of movement, led by Westside alumnus Zane Tahvildaran-Jesswein (Ballet San Antonio). Both Robbins’ pieces are exclusive to the Gala performance.
Guest Artists Kate Inoue & Marcos Ramirez – Los Angeles Ballet leading dancers to perform Justin Peck’s “Bloom” – Photo Nathan Carlson.
Another incredible plus for the Gala is the pas de deux Bloom by two-time Tony Award winning director, choreographer, filmmaker, and dancer Justin Peck. Composed by Caroline Shaw and performed live by a string quartet, Bloom will feature leading dancers from Los Angeles Ballet Kate Inoue and Marcos Ramirez. According to Vulture writer Genevieve Smith Justin Peck’s work “can feel surprising, zigging when you expect a zag, tilting a dancer off balance or pulling her in opposing directions. The result is thrilling and joyous, contemporary even as it’s classical.”
Advanced Pre-professional student dancers pose with Santa Monica firefighters Chad Donley ( left with E6 on helmet) and Klarq Treiberg (right E1 on helmet) of Home station is Fire Station 1, 1337 7th – Photo courtesy of Westside Ballet.
The Westside Ballet Gala does highlight incredible talent but that is not its only goal. The Gala will also raise funds for the Fire Relief Scholarship Fund to support students affected by the recent fires. Tiler Peck was asked how she sees ballet and the other arts acting as a vehicle for healing and resilience in times of crisis.
“Dance unites and brings people together without words. It’s the movement that moves us and when words aren’t able to be spoken one can still heal through dance and movement. It’s the best form of expression,” Peck said.
Westside Ballet’s Spring Celebration is designed to “honor the rich heritage and bright future of the organization.” The Saturday Gala also includes the presentation of the Huntley Santa Monica Beach Hotel Community Arts Award to the Santa Monica and Los Angeles Fire & Police Departments’ first responders. In addition, the Gala will feature renowned choreographic works performed by this year’s exceptional guest artists.
Spencer Collins as Franz in Coppelia – Photo by LK Studio.
The Spring Showcases at 1 pm on Saturday, May 31st and Sunday, June 1st will include August Bournonville’s rarely performed Le Conservatoire, a one-act ballet from 1849 that recreates a Vestris dance class, will be performed by Westside Ballet’s pre-professional and advanced students. This performance of Le Conservatoire will feature a solo performed by 11-year-old Westside Ballet prodigy Spencer Collins who also won First Place at the 2024 YAGP Finals. This ballet showcases Bournonville’s intricate footwork and lively jumps. Highlighting the Danish choreographer’s signature style of intricate footwork and lively jumps, Le Conservatoire was staged by Westside Ballet alumnus Adrian Blake Mitchell, current Associate Executive Director. The dancers were also coached by former member of the Royal Danish Ballet, Nilas Martins, bringing another layer of authenticity to the production.
Adrian Blake Mitchell said this of young Collins:
“Spencer’s Hope Award win represents something truly extraordinary in the dance world—not just the technical mastery you’d expect from a YAGP champion, but an artistry and emotional depth that’s remarkable for any dancer, let alone an 11-year-old. To rank as the top dancer worldwide in his age category, across both boys and girls, speaks to Spencer’s exceptional dedication and natural gift.
Spencer Collins in rehearsal – Photo by Sarah Madison.
“What makes this achievement even more meaningful is how it reflects Westside Ballet’s core mission. Founded with a non-audition policy, our school has always believed that exceptional talent can emerge from anywhere when given the right training and support. Spencer embodies that philosophy—he’s grown within our community, trained alongside dancers of all levels, and now stands as an inspiration to every young artist who walks through our doors.
Spencer Collins claims top honor at the 2025 Youth America Grand Prix Finals, receiving the prestigious Hope Award – Photo courtesy of Amelia Collins
“As his coach for the past three years, I’ve watched Spencer not only develop incredible technique but also cultivate the kind of artistic expression that sets true dancers apart. His Hope Award win is historic for Westside Ballet, but more importantly, it’s a testament to what’s possible when passionate young artists are nurtured in an environment that believes in their potential from day one.”
Spencer Collinss gets a congratulatory hug from Westside’s Associate Executive Director Adrian Blake Mitchell after receiving his award – Photo courtesy of Amelia Collins.
Performances on Sunday, June 1st at 1 pm will include excerpts from the charming ballet Coppélia by Arthur Saint-Léon, and a contemporary work choreographed by Mark Tomasic, the Dance Department Chair at Santa Monica College. Also on the program are the debuts of an original ballet for the company’s youngest performers and jazz director Michele Bachar Mendicelli’s arrangement of Cabaret, a work that underlines the dancers’ abilities to incorporate Ms. Mendicelli’s signature jazz style into their dance vocabulary.
Other highlights include: Westside Ballet will honor New York City Ballet dancer Andrew Veyette with the prestigious Bravo! Award during the Gala. An alumnus of Westside Ballet, Mr. Veyette began his dance training at the age of 9 with Betty Downs in Visalia, California. He continued his studies at Westside Ballet under Yvonne Mounsey and Nader Hamed. This will be Mr. Veyette’s last season with NYC Ballet after an astonishing 25-year run.
A percentage of the proceeds from the Gala will help support Westside Ballet’s Fire Relief Scholarship Fund. This fund was created in response to the horrific Los Angeles fires that devastated parts of LA in January of 2025. The organization’s press release stated that more than “55 families within the Westside Ballet community—including students, faculty, directors, and alumni—lost their homes in the Palisades and Altadena Fires. The Fire Relief Scholarship Fund assists with tuition, performance fees, and dancewear replacements, ensuring these young dancers can continue their training despite personal hardship.”
WHAT:
Westside Ballet’s Spring Gala and Showcase featuring performances by NYC Ballet principal dancers Tiler Peck and Roman Majia, Westside alumnus Zane Tahvildaran-Jesswein (Ballet San Antonio), leading dancers from Los Angeles Ballet Kate Inoue and Marcos Ramirez, and 11 year-old prodigy Spencer Collins.
WHEN:
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 p.m.
Gala Performance on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 7 pm. followed by lite fare and desserts at 8:00 p.m.
Spring Showcase performances on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 1 pm and Sunday, June 1st at 1 pm.
WHERE:
The BroadStage, at SMC Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA. 90401.
TICKETS:
For the Gala: price w/ Fees: $196.50 – LA Dance Chronicle readers will receive $70 off using the Promo Code LA25
For the Showcase Performances w/fees: $51.50
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/WestsideBallet/4547
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Feature photo: Roman Majia and Tiler Peck in Other Dances by Jerome Robbins – Photo by Erin Baiano for NYC Ballet.
