Business Details
43 Years
experience
Premier Ballet Training in San Diego
Southern California Ballet has been at the forefront of professional ballet training in San Diego since 1983. Founded as Black Mountain Dance Center, we have evolved into a world-class facility dedicated to empowering aspiring dancers and elevating our community through educational programs and imaginative performances. Our mission is rooted in excellence, respect, and kindness, fostering an environment where students develop physical, emotional, and mental well-being. With a structured curriculum based on international standards, we combine traditional ballet techniques with modern anatomy and movement science to prepare dancers for professional careers or any path they choose. Our artistic directors, Martha Leebolt and Toby Batley, bring decades of global experience to our training method, ensuring students receive objective annual assessments and progress in a supportive, inclusive atmosphere.We champion community engagement through adaptive dance programs, outreach performances, and partnerships with local schools, making dance accessible to all. Our pre-professional company program offers advanced training, while our summer intensive attracts top-tier faculty and students nationwide. With a legacy of producing accomplished dancers and fostering lifelong skills, we remain committed to quality over quantity, balancing artistry with athleticism to cultivate well-rounded individuals.
Services
Ballet Technique
Summer Intensive
Adult Ballet
Adaptive Dance
Pre-Professional Company
Character Dance
Modern Dance
Jazz Classes
Tap Dance
Pointe Work
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We offer a structured curriculum with annual assessments by independent professionals.
- Our artistic directors bring decades of international performance and teaching experience.
- Students gain performance experience through three annual productions.
- We provide adaptive dance programs for individuals with cognitive and learning disabilities.
- Our summer intensive attracts guest faculty from top ballet companies nationwide.
What people say
Significant technical progress
Supportive community engagement
Inclusive environment
Experienced instructors
Excellent performance opportunities
Services
Ballet Technique Classes
Our ballet technique classes follow a progressive syllabus designed to develop foundational skills in students aged 4+. Classes emphasize proper alignment, strength, and artistry while preparing dancers for annual assessments. Students progress through levels based on skill mastery rather than age alone. The curriculum incorporates modern anatomy to prevent injuries and enhance performance capabilities.
Summer Intensive Program
This three-week intensive offers concentrated training with guest faculty from major ballet companies. Participants receive daily technique classes, variations, and conditioning sessions. The program includes workshops on dance history and production elements while fostering peer connections through collaborative rehearsals and performances.
Adaptive Dance Classes
Designed for individuals with cognitive and learning disabilities, these classes focus on creative expression through movement. Instructors use modified techniques to develop coordination, confidence, and social skills in a welcoming environment. The program emphasizes accessibility while maintaining artistic integrity and physical development.
Pre-Professional Company
This advanced program prepares dancers for professional careers through rigorous daily training and performance opportunities. Participants receive scholarship support while studying repertoire, pointe work, and partnering techniques. The curriculum includes career development workshops covering audition preparation and injury prevention strategies.
Adult Ballet Classes
Three weekly classes cater to adult learners from beginners to advanced dancers. Sessions focus on maintaining flexibility, building strength, and improving coordination. The beginner series introduces fundamental techniques while intermediate classes develop performance skills in a non-competitive atmosphere.
People
Martha Leebolt
Co-Artistic Director
Former principal dancer with Northern Ballet, Martha brings extensive performance experience to SCB. She has received multiple awards including Outstanding Female Classical Performance at the National Dance Awards. Her teaching focuses on developing artistry and technical precision.
Toby Batley
Co-Artistic Director
Toby trained at the Royal Ballet School and performed leading roles with Northern Ballet. He has been nominated for National Dance Awards four times. His teaching emphasizes musicality and expressive storytelling through dance.
Noriko Zaragoza
Ballet Mistress
A former performer with San Diego Ballet, Noriko oversees daily operations and assists artistic directors. She brings expertise in character dance and has won multiple international competition awards during her performing career.
Wendy Cormier
Character Dance Instructor
With a Master of Fine Arts in Ballet, Wendy specializes in character dance instruction. She has performed with Ballet West and developed dance programs for San Diego schools. Her teaching combines Cecchetti method training with creative expression.
Andrea Rose
Contemporary Instructor
A former company member, Andrea teaches contemporary dance and choreography. She holds a degree in Medical Anthropology and integrates anatomical knowledge into her movement instruction while fostering creative exploration.
Questions
What age groups do you accept?
We accept students starting at age 3 through adult classes. Our academy program serves ages 3-18 with pre-professional training for advanced students aged 12+.
Do you offer beginner classes for adults?
Yes, we provide three weekly adult ballet classes and periodic Absolute Beginners series. No prior experience is required for these non-competitive sessions.
Are there performance opportunities?
Students participate in three annual productions: The Nutcracker, a spring story ballet, and an all-academy performance. Company members receive additional performance experience.
What training methods do you use?
Our curriculum combines traditional ballet techniques with modern anatomy and movement science. Annual assessments ensure proper level placement and progression based on international standards.
Do you have adaptive dance programs?
Yes, we offer adaptive dance classes for individuals with cognitive and learning disabilities. These sessions focus on creative expression through movement in an inclusive environment.
What is your summer intensive?
Our three-week summer program features guest faculty from major ballet companies. It includes technique classes, variations, conditioning, and workshops on dance history and production elements.
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