Lessons that
last a lifetime
Southern California Ballet is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers a comprehensive dance curriculum to students ages four and up.
Mission
Our mission is to empower aspiring dancers to reach their full potential and to elevate the community through educational programs and imaginative performances.
Vision
A world class dance facility in San Diego that trains dancers for a professional career, empowers people for a life of success, and welcomes the community to be part of an extraordinary experience.
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We hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do, from our training and production values to the way we conduct ourselves in the world.
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We champion respect and kindness, allowing space for everyone to reach their full potential.
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We strive to help each individual balance their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
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All are welcome here, and together we can be more than the sum of our parts.
Values
Our Story
Since its founding in 1983 as Black Mountain Dance Center, Southern California Ballet has been at the forefront of professional ballet training in San Diego.
Starting from humble beginnings in a small Rancho Penasquitos studio, SCB has changed both locationally and organizationally over the years, settling in its current location on World Trade Dr. in Carmel Mountain.
From the outset, Southern California Ballet has emphasized full-length-performance-oriented professional training to prepare students for professional careers in ballet or any path they choose in life.
Artistic Directors
Martha Leebolt
Martha, an alumna of Black Mountain Dance Centre (now Southern California Ballet) under the direction of Sylvia Palmer-Zetler and Ahita Ardalan, joined Northern Ballet in 2001 where she rose through the ranks to become a principal dancer. The numerous roles created for her include Cleopatra in Claude-Michel Schonberg and David Nixon’s "Cleopatra," Daisy in "The Great Gatsby," Beauty in "Beauty and the Beast," Cinderella in "Cinderella," and Julia in the South Bank Award winning “1984” by Jonathan Watkins, which was filmed by the BBC for international broadcast.
Martha is a recipient of the Outstanding Female Classical Performance Award, 2010 and nominated in 2016, National Dance Awards, England; repeatedly included in Dance Europe magazine’s list of outstanding dancers; guest artist around the world including at the 23rd International Ballet Festival, Havana, Cuba, and 2014 European Ballet Awards, Berlin.
Toby Batley
Born in Manchester, England, Toby trained at the Hammond School of Dance in Chester and the Royal Ballet School, London. After graduating, he joined the Jeune Ballet de Cannes in France under the direction of Paris Opera Etoile, Monique Loudiere, before joining Northern Ballet, England in 2004 and rising to the rank of principal dancer. Toby has danced most of the leading roles in Northern Ballet’s repertoire, many of which were created for him including Marc Anthony in David Nixon and Claude Michel Schonberg’s "Cleopatra," Jay Gatsby in "The Great Gatsby," Prince Mikhail in "Cinderella," Charles Darnay in "A Tale of Two Cities” and Winston Smith in the Award winning ballet “1984.”
In 2010, Toby was nominated for the National Dance Award as well as in 2012, 2015 and 2016 for “Best Male Dancer;” he was repeatedly included in Dance Europe magazine’s list of outstanding dancers. He has guested around the world including at The Royal Opera House, London; Salzburg Ballet, Salzburg; The Taglioni European Dance Awards, Berlin; BalletMet, Columbus as well as dancing on tour internationally with Northern Ballet.
Keep their growing minds engaged
Academy
Drawing on the professional experience of our artistic directors and faculty, as well as their mentors, SCB’s training method was designed to bring structure, transparency, and objectivity to ballet education.
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Training Structure
SYLLABUS
Ballet Technique classes at SCB follow the SCB syllabus, and instill a strong ballet foundation focused on developing technique, strength, individuality, and expression. The progressive syllabus fosters progress in-line with international standards in the dance world, and includes modern anatomy and movement science in the broader curriculum.
LEVELS & ASSESSMENTSThese classes are divided into levels, through which students progress by participating in annual assessments with a panel of professional experts. Students focus on developing both mindset and the physical skills required to pursue dance professionally.
CLASSESClass design and options at SCB differ depending on the level at which a dancer is training as part of the SCB syllabus. Younger classes such as Creative Ballet are designed to facilitate a fun learning environment while slowly introducing elements of ballet etiquette and technique that will be expected of them in the future.
As classes progress, more complicated and age appropriate concepts, elements, and expectations are introduced, all of which contribute to well-rounded and accomplished dancers and people.
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Performing
PHILOSOPHY
Dance is a performance art and Southern California Ballet’s dance training philosophy is highly performance oriented. Participating in performances complements regular training by teaching students professionalism and teamwork, and empowers students to conquer nerves and achieve goals while maintaining the excitement and fun of performing.
PROCESSSouthern California Ballet’s performance process embodies professionalism throughout—from auditioning for The Nutcracker to being fitted for costumes and interacting with world-class guest artists, students partake in an performance experience parallel to those of professional dance companies.
OPPORTUNITIESStudents have the opportunity to participate in three productions per year: The Nutcracker; the spring production, which is typically a story ballet such as Cinderella; and the all-academy performance. Southern California Ballet aims to make performing accessible to as many of its dancers as possible.
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Student Culture
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Southern California Ballet believes firmly in learning from a perspective of self-growth rather than comparison to others. We understand that dance bridges the gap between art and athleticism. This balance is very delicate and the temptation to pursue measurable success over artistic growth can be very strong. It is very important to us that quantity—things like the number of turns you can do, or how high your leg is, for example—is only pursued once quality is achieved.
STUDENT ROLE MODELSStudents at Southern California Ballet form a unique bond over their shared love of dance. Younger students often look up to company-level dancers, who set an example in their dedication to both ballet and school. Peer bonds are further strengthened through participation in SCB’s community programs.
INSTILLING LIFE SKILLSWe believe that ballet and ballet training contributes not only to making great dancers, but great people. At the heart of ballet training is discipline, respect, team work, dedication, and hard work. These are all attributes that make dancers successful in any field they choose to go into, dance related or not.
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Pre-Professional Company
ABOUT
The company level is a pre-professional training program designed to give dancers the experience of being in a professional ballet company and to prepare them for both acceptance into a prestigious university dance program and life in any professional environment.
The company level is the pinnacle of training at SCB, and comes with a high expectation of dedication and hard work. Company level dancers are also role models for the rest of the academy, taking part in community building and fundraising activities, assisting SCB faculty in classes and community programs, and helping their younger peers with their training and experiences at SCB.
A Southern California Ballet dancer is expected not just to be a great dancer who fulfills their personal potential, but also a great person who emulates the four core values of SCB.
All Programs
Students ages 3-18 can take classes to develop a foundation in ballet technique as well as other dance styles. Enrollment is open year-round.
Southern California Ballet offers three adult ballet classes per week that accommodate a range of skill levels. SCB also periodically offers an Absolute Beginners class series.
Designed for individuals with cognitive and learning disabilities, participants learn to express themselves through movement, be creative, and flex their imaginative and physical muscles.
School groups, individuals with disabilities, and seniors can attend daytime performances of The Nutcracker at a discounted ticket rate. Teachers receive a resource packet with full lesson plans aligned to the CAS, CCSS, and NGSS.
Nutcracker In-School Workshops
SCB will come to your school and teach a workshop on an upcoming production! Featuring high-caliber instruction from expert ballet teachers who help stage the actual show, students will learn basic ballet terms, simplified choreography, the show’s history, costumes, and more!
Intended to support emerging local artists, the Artistic Residency program provides studio space to professional dancers and choreographers wishing to develop new work and further their creativity while sharing their knowledge and experience with SCB students and its community.