The Westside Ballet of Santa Monica will present three spectacular events during the weekend of May 31-June 1. The two-day “Masters of Movement” performances have been crafted by leading and emerging talent alike to honor the rich heritage and bright future of the organization.
The first of these events, the Gala set for 7 p.m. on May 31, will also recognize the heroic work of the Santa Monica and Los Angeles Fire and Police Departments’ first responders with the Huntley Santa Monica Beach Hotel Community Arts Award. As well as recognizing first responders, the Gala features extraordinary guest artists and celebrated choreography.
The Gala and follow-up events will take place at The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Additionally, the Masters of Movement Spring Showcase, presenting pre-professional dancers, takes place on Saturday, May 31 at 1 p.m. and Sunday, June 1st at 1 p.m.
The Spring Showcase features several works that demonstrate the depth and versatility of the company’s pre-professional and student dancers. This season’s performances will also include Le Conservatoire, 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. Additional features include the debuts of an original ballet for the company’s youngest performers and jazz directorMichele Bachar Mendicelli’s arrangement of Cabaret, which will showcase the dancers’ versatility with Ms. Mendicelli’s signature jazz style.
The Gala and Spring Show- case will feature 12-year-old Westside Ballet prodigy Spencer Collins, who was recently awarded the prestigious Hope Award at the 2025 Youth America Grand Prix Finals— the highest honor of the entire competition—ranking him as the top dancer in his age group worldwide across both boys and girls. Collins, who will perform a solo in Le Conservatoire, has shown remarkable progression in his young career, having previously won First Place at the 2024 YAGP Finals. Under the guidance of Adrian Blake Mitchell, Associate Artistic Director and Head of Westside’s award-winning Boys Program who has been Collins’ primary coach for the past three years, the young dancer has developed exceptional artistry and technique that have earned him international recognition, marking a historic achievement for both Collins and Westside Ballet of Santa Monica.
Hope Award for Spencer
Twelve-year-old Los Angeles native Spencer Collins started dancing at age 5 with the Los Angeles Ballet School. He joined Westside School of Ballet at age 9 and trains under the guidance of Adrian Blake Mitchell, Associate Artistic Director and Head of Westside’s award-winning Boys Program.
Spencer has achieved unprecedented success this season, recently being awarded the venerable Hope Award at the 2025 Youth America Grand Prix Finals, recognizing his top classical and contemporary performances among all dancers in the pre-competitive age group worldwide. This remarkable achievement follows his stellar 2024 season, where Spencer won First Place in both the classical and con- temporary categories at YAGP Finals. He also earned Hope Awards at two prior Los Angeles YAGP Semi-Finals.
In Westside Ballet’s performances, Spencer has performed the soloist roles of the Soldier Doll and Russian in Westside Ballet’s The Nutcracker. For the 2025 Spring Showcase and Gala, he will perform a solo in August Bournonville’s Le Conservatoire and appear in Michele Bachar Mendicelli’s jazz arrangement of Cabaret. His exceptional technique and artistry have made him a standout performer in these challenging works.
Spencer has received scholarships and trained with renowned academies worldwide, including the Princess Grace Academie of Danse, John Cranko School, Joffrey Ballet, Elite Classical Coaching, and the Royal Ballet.
In addition to his competition success and performances with Westside Ballet, Spencer has been invited to perform in the London premiere of Gala de Danza in June 2025, an international festival of music, art, and dance founded by Westside Ballet alumna Christina Lyon. He will join an elite roster of performers including principals from the Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet, and Paris Opera Ballet. Outside of ballet, Spencer enjoys baking, drawing, and playing the piano. Looking to the future, Spencer hopes to one day become a principal dancer with a premier ballet company.
Spencer shares his thoughts on his ballet experience:
Favorite part of the performance experience: “It’s amazing to be on stage and hear the audience cheer after I’ve finished my dance. That gets me excited and ready to go out there and do it again!”
On sharing the stage again with New York City Ballet principal dancers Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia: “It was such an honor to stand in the wings and watch Roman Mejia perform in last year’s Nutcracker. His turns and jumps were so big and so precise, it was inspiring. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to perform alongside these incredible artists again this spring. It helps encourage me to keep going.” What makes Westside Ballet special: “I love training with Mr. [Adrian Blake] Mitchell. He gives me great corrections and pushes me to do more and get better.”
Ticket Information
The biannual Westside Ballet productions are made possible in part by grants from Los Angeles County, the City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica City Council, The City of Santa Monica Arts Commission, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club – and sponsorships from local Santa Monica individuals, businesses, and organizations such as Santa Monica College, SMC Board of Trustees, Santa Monica College President Dr. Kathryn Jeffery, The Huntley Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Paramount Pictures, Dance in Color, The Ballet Shop, Chow Family Scholarship Foundation, The Broad Stage Production Crew, and more.
Both programs promise an enchanting blend of classical elegance and contemporary flair, celebrating the rich history and enduring legacy of ballet. Showcase tickets are priced at $50 and the Gala performance is priced at $195.
All performances take place at The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Tickets for these must-see dance events of the season may be purchased online at westsideballet.com/ SpringTix or by phone (additional fees apply) at (800) 595- 4849 (4TIX).