Alumni
Grayson Gallella
During the three years I spent with Bakersfied City Ballet I was able to learn and train with many inspiring people. They gave me the opportunity to perform some of my dream roles in a variety of ballets that are not always available to student dancers. I am now dancing with Ballet Austin, and BCB prepared me for the challenges that come with a professional dance career. The positive training environment with teachers and mentors who truly cared about me and my journey played an integral role in getting me to where I am today.
Noor
Bakersfield City Ballet provided a rigorous technical foundation that has been instrumental in my transition to collegiate-level dance. The professionalism of the instructors and the camaraderie among dancers cultivated an environment that encouraged both discipline and artistic growth. Now as a member of Cardinal Ballet Company and Innovative Styles Contemporary Dance Company at Stanford, while pursuing a degree in Materials Science and Engineering, I continue to draw on the training and values taught to me through BCB. My years dancing with the company will forever be unforgettable.
Ella Gove
Being in BCB was integral in preparing me for rigorous college level demands, both in academics and in dance, through my improvement of time management skills and development of discipline. As a current Vassar College student and dancer in the Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre, the technique and artistry I refined in BCB prepared me to continue ballet at a higher level and explore other dance techniques. My time with the other dancers and the mentors of BCB continue to influence my voice as an artist today, and I’m immensely grateful to have had such an influential experience with the company.
Hannah Horwedel
My experience in Bakersfield City Ballet helped me develop valuable skills and grow both as a dancer and as a person. Through master classes, additional performance opportunities, and more, BCB constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me become more adaptable, disciplined, and versatile as a dancer. I also had the chance to work closely with my teachers and choreographers, allowing me to receive guidance that improved my growth. Additionally, I formed strong connections with the other dancers in the company, building lasting friendships. The training I gained with BCB truly prepared me for dancing in college, as I am already used to working at a pre-professional level. I’m incredibly grateful for everything I learned with BCB, and I highly recommend the program to any dancer looking to grow in a supportive and challenging environment.
Alexandra Zalatel
My 5 years with BCB has allowed me to stay quick on my toes and adapt to new challenges as I now am pursuing a nursing degree. Just like quickly adjusting to new choreography or formations if another dancer got injured, nurses have to be quick and precise to deliver great care for their patients. Plus as dancers, we all had to work as one to make the movement flow well and make it look appealing. Nursing is a dance in itself: all the workers must flow together so the treatment can succeed as quickly as possible.