Central West Ballet

Central West Ballet (CWB) is a prominent ballet company based in Modesto, California, known for its excellence in dance and artistic contributions to the cultural landscape of California's Central Valley. Founded in 1987 as Bravo Repertory Dance Theatre, the company was established by Juline Schmitz, Gretchen L. Vogelzang, and Debbie Bertucci with the aim of providing local dance talent with advanced training and performance opportunities. The company quickly gained recognition as a distinctive youth ballet company under the artistic leadership of Gretchen L. Vogelzang. Throughout its history, Central West Ballet has been committed to producing a complete yearly season of performances, which includes major classical full-length ballets as well as contemporary neoclassical dance programs and story ballets. The company has been fortunate to include works by renowned choreographers such as Val Caniparoli, Ronn Guidi, and George Balanchine in its repertoire. Central West Ballet became a resident company of the Gallo Center for the Arts, further cementing its role as a jewel of the Central Valley. The company's artistic direction has seen several changes over the years, with Gretchen L. Vogelzang serving as the founding Artistic Director. Following her departure in 2001, the company experienced the artistic directorships of Karen Burns, Bill Lark, and Coleen Patterson. Since 2004, Artistic Director René Daveluy and Ballet Mistress Leslie Ann Larson have led the company, producing and expanding the repertoire to include full-length classics such as "Romeo and Juliet," "Swan Lake," "Coppélia," "The Sleeping Beauty," "Cinderella," "Giselle," and popular story ballets like "Peter Pan," "Legend of Sleepy Hollow," "Dracula," and "Frankenstein." In 2010, Central West Ballet moved into its own dedicated studios on Pentecost Drive, North Modesto. The establishment of the Central West Ballet Academy in 2014 and the CWB II trainee company in 2015 marked significant milestones, offering serious students opportunities to train with a focus on performance. Under the executive leadership of Karin Reenstierna since 2018, Central West Ballet has developed and diversified its outreach programs, including sensory dance classes for children on the autism spectrum and performances tailored for the deaf and hard of hearing community. The company has also secured important State and National grants to expand its productions and operations. Central West Ballet has achieved Honor Status within the Regional Dance America Association (RDA), reflecting its commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement. Now in its 34th season, Central West Ballet continues to enchant audiences with magical performances and looks forward to a bright future as an original California dance institution.