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 a Spring Choreography Concert, performing works ranging from classical to contemporary. The company will also attend Regional Dance America Pacific this May in Richland, Washington.
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 500 students, and Co-Director of State Street Ballet Young Dancers.
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 tenth 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.
SSBYD Photography by Stephanie Baker
