Artistic STAFF

Leading Central West Ballet since 2004, René Daveluy and Leslie Ann Larson, both professional dancers with long careers, have worked on establishing Central West Ballet as an emerging professional ballet company. In 2010, the organization moved into spacious studio and office spaces on Pentecost Drive, North Modesto. The company is complemented by the Central West Ballet Academy of Dance, which offers a full curriculum of classes from age 2 to adult, as well as home school options. Central West Ballet II (CWB II) was added in 2015 as a training ground with increased performance experience opportunities for serious dance students.

Central West Ballet was established in 1987 by Founding Artistic Director is Gretchen Vogelzang and Juline Schmitz. Since its inception, the company has been known for its high quality productions and versatile repertoire which covers classical, contemporary and popular entertainment styles. Today the company performs 5 productions during a yearly season spanning from September to May, including a two week run of The Nutcracker as well as Nutcrcaker in Jazz, a separate production within the Holiday Season. Additional performances and events include touring, fundraising, grant related events and outreach programs. Under Artistic Director René Daveluy, the company has performed ballets by internationally known choreographers such as Ronn Guidi, Val Caniparoli and George Balanchine, as well as the essential classical full-lengths such as Swan Lake, Coppelia, Cinderella, Giselle and The Sleeping Beauty. Central West Ballet has also performed Mr. Daveluy's versions of full length ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Legend of Sleepy Hollow Dracula and Frankenstein or the Mopdern Prometheus..