San Francisco Ballet School, the official school of San Francisco Ballet and the nation’s oldest ballet school, presented its 2014 Student Showcase on May 28, 29 and 30 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater. Audiences caught a glimpse of the progression in ballet training, from beginning students giving class demonstrations to advanced-level students on the verge of professional careers. The advanced level students performed George Balanchine’s Raymonda Variations, J. Francisco Martinez’s Andante Sostenuto, Helgi Tomasson‘s Bizet Pas de Deux, Parrish Maynard‘s Muses and Spectrum, a new work by San Francisco Corps de Ballet member Myles Thatcher.
San Francisco Ballet School students are placed in one of eight divisions according to age, experience and ability. The school’s Trainee Program is a one- to two-year pre-professional program comprised of students, ages 16 – 19, from the most advanced level. Participation is by invitation from San Francisco Ballet Artistic Director and San Francisco Ballet School Director Helgi Tomasson and School Associate Director Patrick Armand.
Following the Student Showcase performance on May 29, San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary hosted a fundraising dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel to benefit the school’s scholarship and financial aid programs.
Scenes from the event:
Photos by Drew Altizer Photography