CENTRAL WEST BALLET - TODAY

Since 2004, René Daveluy and Leslie Ann Larson, both former professional dancers with Ballet West in Salt Lake City, have led Central West Ballet to new heights. Appointed Artistic Director, Mr. Daveluy has brought to Central West Ballet a new vitality and a fresh outlook to the future of this young company. With Ms. Larson as Ballet Mistress, they have shared their resources with Modesto’s community to further the artistic growth on the dance scene and have brought the company to the attention of a growing number of key professionals in the business, suggesting the establishment of Central West Ballet as a new company on the national professional circuit. In March 2006, Mr. Daveluy received the Award for Excellence in Dance from the Stanislaus Arts Council.

In just two years, under his directorship, Central West Ballet has continued its road to fulfillment with enhanced quality production values and increased budget operations. After two successful seasons with unique creations such as The Red Shoes, Juline, Ritual Syncopations, Peter & the Wolf, Festive Overture and Fencing Concerto, Central West Ballet is looking forward to an exciting new era with the opening of the Gallo Center for the Arts. In 2007, Central West Ballet will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary. Central West Ballet carries great potential for the city of Modesto. As a cultural ambassador, Central West Ballet completes the identity of Modesto with a distinctive energy. The company is here to stay, to grow along with the community, and to celebrate the unique qualities of the Central Valley.

THE BEGINNINGS AND THE ACHIEVEMENTS -
FOUNDERS OF AN ARTISTIC VISION

Gretchen Vogelzang ,
Founding Artistic Director

Modesto’s cultural history changed in 1987, when Juline Schmitz, Founder of Juline • School of Dance, and a young talented teacher, Gretchen Vogelzang, took on the pioneering job of establishing a ballet company for the city and the greater Central Valley. Already an instant hit in the community, Juline • School of Dance was in its twelfth year of existence at the inception of Bravo! Repertory Dance Theatre, a non-profit organization geared toward giving local dance talent opportunities for advanced training and performance experience.

In a short time, this exciting dance troupe quickly established itself as a distinctive youth ballet company. From its full scale Nutcracker to other full-length ballets such as The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Coppélia, the company became an integral part of other community performing arts groups in Modesto. Its founding Artistic Director, Gretchen Vogelzang, became a driving force behind many new works created or staged on the company. On this road to excellence, Bravo! Repertory Dance Theatre became an Honor Company within the Regional Dance America Association (RDA), and together with Juline • School of Dance, paved the way for Modesto to have its own recognized dance institution. On its 10th Anniversary, the name of the company was changed to Central West Ballet to reflect the growing reach of the company in the Central Valley. Anyone who has built a ballet company knows the challenges of achieving many goals and making the foundation of their work last. Juline Schmitz and Gretchen Vogelzang were such pioneers for the school and the company.

In 2001, after fifteen years of fulfilling creativity and strong leadership, Gretchen Vogelzang moved to Virginia to become President of the RDA. Following the passing of Juline Schmitz, the school came under the direction of Debbie Bertucci. From 2001 to 2004, Central West Ballet’s artistic directorships included tenures by Karen Burns and Coleen Patterson. Under Mrs. Patterson, Central West Ballet once again attained recognition as an Honor Company within the RDA during its 2003-2004 season.

Compiled by René Daveluy.