Western Ballet, a 'Pas de Deux' with MV Community

When we think of ballet, we think of elegance, poise, precision, beauty and grace.

But what we often don't realize is that ballet is an art with a hefty price tag attached that often acts as a barrier to lower-income families, no matter how perfect their first position may be. Mountain View's Western Ballet Company and School has tried to lower that barrier. 

On Saturday, Aug. 28, Western Ballet held auditions for the Nina Novak scholarship. The program is an adaptation of a long-standing scholarship tradition at the dance studio, and it offers low-income families a chance to participate in the program at lowered prices.

Western Ballet offers a number of need-based scholarships each year, but this is the first time it has opened a program widely for younger students—girls ages 6-10, and boys from 6-12. To qualify, families need to be within certain income requirements relative to family size.

"The [scholarship] program is something traditionally held for students in their later years who show a lot of promise, but over the past year, we have re-shaped that model for younger students that show a deep interest in ballet but who can't afford it," Western Ballet school administrator Robin Zeleznik said of the program.

The advertisements for the auditions were displayed in Mountain View and neighboring cities, attracting a total of 26 students. Local parent Bertha Bautista saw the flier at her local library in East Palo Alto and decided to take her daughter to try out.

"Con la beca, el programa es casi gratis," she said, which in English, loosely translated, means that with the scholarship Western Ballet was offering, her daughter's tuition would be practically free, a very helpful change from her former Palo Alto dance studio, which was growing far too expensive.

Other families opted for Western Ballet's program over more expensive dance studios. Nine-year old Paul Li is an avid dancer, and his parents were excited to hear about the scholarship.

"[This summer] Paul was enrolled in creative writing camp, a horseback riding camp, and a ballet program, and when we asked him what his favorite was, he said ballet," Paul's mother, Abby Li, said. "He has always had natural talent, but ballet is a big investment. We're glad for this opportunity."

Also at the audition was Western Ballet regular Florence Palmer, who at 98 still attends class as often as she can. Palmer has been dancing since she was 6 and has performed professionally with numerous ballet companies. She joined Western Ballet more than 30 years ago and said she was delighted to hear about the scholarship.

"The program is great," Palmer said. "There isn't any money around, and kids need this education. Dance has kept me healthy for 92 years; it's important to keep moving, and dance is a great way to do it."

Western's artistic director, Alexi Zubiria, modeled the scholarship program on a Venezuelan orchestra system, known as el sistema, or "the system." 

"Overall [the audition] went really well," she said. "This is something we want to do at least twice a year."

Out of the 26 who auditioned, 14 were called back for final verification of their income qualification and, pending that, will be covered by the scholarship and given the opportunity to audition again for it each year until they turn 18.

"Talent can be found anywhere, among the rich and the poor," Zubiria said. "We hope that we can expand this program, with help from the community, to give any child the opportunity to learn."