
STATE STREET BALLET YOUNG DANCERS is an
apprentice company to State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara. State
Street Ballet Young Dancers was founded as a pre-professional training
program to provide young dancers with the discipline and performing
experience necessary for a career in dance. Upon acceptance into
the company, dancers train in the school under the direction of Allison
Gustafson and Nicole Comella. Dancers are able to audition for
apprentice or extra roles in productions of State Street Ballet,
directed by Rodney Gustafson. In addition, they present an annual
Nutcracker, Solo Night and a Spring Choreography Concert, performing
works ranging from classical to contemporary.
STATE STREET BALLET OF SANTA BARBARA was founded in 1994 by Rodney and
Allison Gustafson. With at least three productions each season in
Santa Barbara, State Street Ballet has also toured throughout the
United States, as well as internationally in Taiwan and China. The
company is directed by Rodney Gustafson, formerly with Geneva Ballet,
Cleveland Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. Mr. Gustafson went
on to receive his B.S. from University of Arizona, and his M.B.A from
Antioch University. State Street Ballet is known for its
innovative choreography and unique style.
Allison Jones Gustafson received her training in Fort Worth and Dallas,
Texas and was a founding member of State Street Ballet in 1994.
She received her B.A. from Southern Methodist University and her M.A.
from the University of Arizona. Her strong belief that a dance studio
should provide a healthy environment where both learning and personal
growth can occur stems from her academic research concerning the
connection between the environment of the dance studio and a dancer’s
self-esteem. Ms. Gustafson is Director of the school, which has grown
to over 400 students, and Co-Director of State Street Ballet Young
Dancers.

Allison Jones Gustafson and Nicole Comella
Nicole Comella received her training in San Diego, California at
California Ballet, New West Ballet and United States International
University. She was also a founding member of State Street Ballet
in 1994. She danced principal roles with the company for six years
before becoming Assistant School Director and Co-Director of State
Street Ballet Young Dancers. Ms. Comella received her B.F.A. in Dance
from United States International University, San Diego. She is also a
certified Pilates instructor. Ms. Comella thoroughly enjoys
spending time passing on her love and passion for the art of dance.
State Street Ballet Young Dancers is enjoying its eighth season
of existence. Dancers from State Street Ballet Young Dancers have
gone on to professional careers with State Street Ballet, American
Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Ballet West, San Diego Ballet,
City Ballet of San Diego, Ballet San Jose, Cleveland
Ballet, and Milwaukee Ballet, as well as many college programs. State
Street Ballet Young Dancers and Regional Dance America have proven to
be a wonderful experience, and an exceptional training ground for
talented young dancers.