Local Lowdown: State Street Ballet Extends Reach

company members teach a free jazz dance class as part of State Street Ballet’s community outreach effort. Photo by Andre Yew.

Company members teach a free jazz dance class as part of State Street Ballet’s community outreach effort. Photo by Andre Yew.

By Leslie Dinaberg

Reaching out beyond the professional stage to make ballet accessible and fun for everyone is an important part of State Street Ballets community outreach programming. This summer, company dancers Meredith Harrill, Deise Mendonca, Cecily Stewart, Edgar Zendejas, John Piel, Noam Tsviskin, Skyler Rodgers and Alvaro Oquita hit the road for a series of free performances in Santa Barbara and beyond.

The 30-minute performances feature not only ballet, but also hip-hop and contemporary pieces, with excerpts from State Street Ballet productions of Cinderella, An American Tango, Common Ground and w.

State Street Ballet Company member Edgar Zendejas demonstrates a dance move. Photo by Andre Yew.

State Street Ballet Company member Edgar Zendejas demonstrates a dance move. Photo by Andre Yew.

In addition, the company offers free dance classes in a variety of styles, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, choreography, Latin combo, hip hop and yoga.

As of now, confirmed dates are: June 23, Ventura Boys and Girls Club; June 24, Santa Barbara Boys and Girls Club; June 29, Santa Maria Boys and Girls Club; June 30, Fresno (location to be determined); July 1, Salinas, Breadbox Recreation Center; and July 7, San Bernardino, Garcia Center for the Arts.  

For more information on State Street Ballet and the community outreach program, visit statestreetballet.com.

Originally published in the Summer 2017 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine.