Born in Modesto, Sarah Weaver is the quintessential instrument for classical ballet. Locally trained, she has grown up on Modesto stages and is a next generation great ballerina. Add to this a natural feminine beauty and this makes Weaver a shining star among the Principal Dancers. Elevated to high ranks at a young age, Sarah Weaver's presence on stage was first noticed in René Daveluy's Of Faeries and Elves and most notably in Daveluy's Existence. "It was obvious to everyone that Sarah had something unique within her", says Daveluy about her part in Existence, "Sarah had to perform a long middle section in the piece. It was a special dance for a special artist in the making." Daveluy says Weaver has achieved herself in a consistent manner over time. "Sarah is a very hard worker and her rehearsal ethics in the studio are second to none. She is a wonderful soul and loves to laugh. She is at home in many styles of dancing and is totally dedicated to a career in dance." Sarah Weaver has been the star of all the three major key scenes in The Nutcracker. She was the first Principal to perform as the Snow Queen, Waltz Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy in one Nutcracker Season. All these Pas de Deux are staples of the Holiday Season and recognized by audiences around the world. Weaver has qualities that makes her versatile and a rare jewel to see in performance. Her recent debut in the role of Cinderella showed Sarah as an artist with depth of feeling and appeal.

Elease Stice is a native from Salt Lake City. "Elease was 11 years old when we first saw her in class", Daveluy recalls, "the minute I saw her, I knew she already had a thoroughbred energy and tremendous beauty in her dancing. Elease naturally shines and has a great joy of life". Stice joined Central West Ballet in 2007. Daveluy said he had been waiting for her to join the Company ever since taking on CWB. "She was the only one I directly offered to come and continue to train with us when I was appointed Artistic Director of Central West". Daveluy goes on to explain that in his view, Stice has always been a very unique talent and continues to amaze him in everything she dances. She quickly became a Modesto audience favorite and one of Cenral West Ballet's brightest Principals. Stice was quickly promoted to Principal status in 2008 and has delivered crowd pleasing performances since then. "Elease is a dancer of great intelligence and the hardest working Ballerina in show business", Daveluy says with a smile, "she really is a beautiful talent, but she also is very humble in nature and is continuously tasking herself in her rehearsals to get it just right, I admire her greatly". Stice is a powerful performer but retains subtlety in her interpretations, from Tiger Lily in Peter Pan, to the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcrcaker.

"Sarah performed one of the featured Pas de Deux in Val Caniparoli's Violin in last year's Creations program", says René Daveluy, artistic Director, "it was a pleasure to see her develop herself". Daveluy says Weaver is only scratching the surface of her potential, "Sarah's development is coming of age and it's wonderful to see her adding strength to her qualities as an artist". Sarah Weaver's stage presence is that of a young Natalia Makarova. She delighted audiences in Central West Ballet's Rat Pack in Revue with all the freshness and beauty she has been known for on the Gallo stages. Weaver's physical attributes makes her fully versatile in all dance forms. She has the training and stage craft of a classical ballerina combined with a text book natural linear body facility. Sarah Weaver has been featured in many of Daveluy's works. Her long form apprenticeship and experience in Central West's repertoire make her a natural leader among the Company's Principal Ballerinas.

Stice gave one of her best performances as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty. Stice is also at home in a variety of styles and is a first rate entertainer. She is certainly Central West Ballet's most fierce headliner. Elease Stice burned the floor in Central West Ballet's Rat Pack in Revue with a varied list of showstopping dances. Her magnetism crossed the footlights to thunderous applause. Stice has the vitality of great musical stars like Vera Ellen mixed with a film star like beauty. She is a born stand alone soloist but can be a wonderful partner in romantic duets. Stice's remarkable stage appeal keeps Central West Ballet on its toes at every turn. "She is a strong worker and tirelessly wants to get things exact", Daveluy goes on, "you can detect the progress of her work every time she comes back to rehearsal with an improvement on any role she handles, that is gold for an Artistic Director".

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