Ballet California and you, our community
Ballet California's mission is to be the nation's leading pre-professional ballet company, already a leader on the West Coast, providing unparalleled training to our youth as well as performances that inspire and enrich the community. Continuing in the rich tradition of South Bay Ballet and Lauridsen Ballet Centre, founded in 1978, our dancers experience a real company atmosphere along with performance opportunities that mirror the professional world. Our proven success in consistently placing dancers in professional contracts has earned us the respect of the international ballet community and a legacy of creating future leaders in the arts. Our training instills self-discipline, teamwork, perseverance, respect, self-confidence and dedication to excellence.
Ballet California performances encourage a life-long love of the arts. Each year we offer a diverse range of ballets, from classical to contemporary. In addition to "The Nutcracker", our annual season includes both the eclectic "Bravo!" concert and our Storybook Ballet, as well as our Benefactors' Concert hosted at our landmark studio. Each performance also offers the community an opportunity to engage in the arts and demonstrate the value of dance, where artistry, athleticism, and transformation reside.
Ballet California champions and reflects diversity and inclusiveness. We actively cultivate an environment where individuals feel welcomed, valued, respected, and supported. Our belief that dance has the power to bring people together through storytelling and empathy compels us to celebrate individual creativity and is central to realizing Ballet California’s goal to inspire, empower and deepen community through dance.
Meet Artistic Director
Elijah S. Pressman
Elijah S. Pressman was born into this profession by artistic parents: a ballet dancer and a musical theatre artist. He trained at the Lauridsen Ballet Centre studios and became the anchor and soloist of the performing company (formerly South Bay Ballet), now Ballet California. His career spans 37 years with performances throughout the country, teaching ballet and pas de deux technique for more than 18 years as well as acting as rehearsal director. Appointed as co-artistic director in 2011, Elijah plays a pivotal role in continuing the tradition and integrity of the classical and contemporary ballet arts discipline. Elijah has a passion, talent, and unwavering dedication to nurture the next generation.
Ballet is the rare and exciting combination of the highest standards of athletic discipline, and the emotional passion of an art.
We are so fortunate to be able to participate in this wonderful activity, and we love to share it with all.
Members of Ballet California train exclusively at the prestigious Lauridsen Ballet Centre. Since 1978, we have trained thousands of students in our community. The proven track record of the school is second to none. We have prepared many for acceptance into more than 50 national and international professional companies. Countless university scholarships and summer program intensives are awarded to Lauridsen Ballet Centre students time and time again.
Our organization boasts a deep commitment to sharing the beauty and wonder of ballet to audiences throughout the southland and the nation. We continue to enrich the community with a vast outreach program to many organizations. This year both of our Artistic Directors were recognized by The City of Torrance Cultural Arts Commission with an Excellence in Arts award. We have consistently been an honor member of The Ballet Alliance. We have been awarded two Medals of Excellence by US presidents.
We are honored to invite you to become a member of our family. Join us as students, audience members, volunteers and donors. We would love to hear from you!
board of directors
Diane Lauridsen
President, Artistic Director
Elijah Pressman
Vice President, Artistic Director
Candice L. Davis
Vice President, Administrative Affairs;
Financial Secretary
Kathy Daigle
Chief Financial Officer
Jamie Pressman
Treasurer
Suzette Savard
Secretary
Becky Burson
Social Media
Keila Carrasco
Community Liaison
Jerry Kokich
Production Management
Vicky Lambert
Diversity Liaison
Lara Sipos
Events
Xochitl Velazquez
Executive Assistant
Alesia Young
Community Donor Advocate
Associate Board
Janet Payne
Michelle Polcari
Honorary Board of Directors
Garrett Anderson
Dr. Linda Bluestein
Ron Cunningham
Ashley Ellis
Betty Lieu
Clinton Luckett