Ballet Festival at Pepperdine Spotlights Balanchine, Mounsey

On the 30th anniversary of the death of legendary choreography George Balanchine, and less than a year since the loss of Yvonne Mounsey, Westside Ballet of Santa Monica’s Spring Performance series presents works choreographed by each of these artists on May 18 at Pepperdine.
When talking with her students, the late Yvonne Mounsey loved to tell the story of being approached in 1949 by Balanchine.
“He said, ‘I’m starting a company. Would you like to be in it?’ I said, ‘Yes, I’d love to!’” Mounsey recounted.
The company would become New York City Ballet, and Balanchine later became recognized as the father of American ballet.
After joining NYC Ballet, Mounsey, who had already toured the world with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and original Ballet Russe, quickly rose to principal dancer, achieving high acclaim in many notable roles, most famously that of the Siren in Balanchine’s “Prodigal Son.”
Years later, after retiring from NYC Ballet and eventually relocating to Los Angeles, Mounsey, along with the late Rosemary Valaire, opened a dance school and affiliated pre-professional company collectively known as “Westside Ballet.” There, Mounsey dedicated the rest of her life to developing thousands of young dancers, imparting her own artistry combined with lessons she had learned directly from George Balanchine.
Continuing in this tradition, Westside Ballet is presenting works choreographed by Balanchine and Mounsey on May 18.
Westside Ballet received permission from the George Balanchine Trust to perform “Elegy,” the dramatic final movement from “Serenade,” the first original ballet Balanchine created in America.
Danced by Mounsey in the 1950s, “Serenade” is performed in blue costumes in front of a blue background. To this day it is one of the signature works of NYC Ballet’s repertory.
Westside Ballet later acquired the costumes worn by Mounsey’s fellow company members as a gift from Balanchine. They were designed by ballet costume designer Barbara Karinksa, who is to the ballet world what Edith Head was to the film world.
The  Pepperdine performance series will also feature Mounsey’s own masterwork, “Classical Symphony.” Set against a simply lit background with soloists weaving in and out of the corps, the work gently parodies Balanchine ballet conventions.
The program will conclude with excerpts from classics such as “Giselle” and “Coppélia.” The company’s youngest dancers will light up the stage as nymphs and fairies in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and the famous grand pas de deux from Act III of “Don Quixote” will be danced by Palisadian Lucia Connolly and guest artist Seth Belliston.
Audiences will also be treated to a performance of “Rich Man’s Frug” from Bob Fosse’s 1966 musical, “Sweet Charity,” performed by Westside’s jazz students.
Other Palisadian members include Lucia Connolly dancing leads in “Serenade Elegy” and “Classical Symphony”; Erin Power a lead in “Classical Symphony”/corps of “Serenade;” Jacquelyn Klein, a lead in “Serenade”/corps of “CS”; Isabella Davies in corps of “Serenade” and “CS”; Emilia Davies in corps of “CS”; Talya Marks in corps of “CS”; Camilla Marks in corps of “CS” and Shelby Tzung a lead in “CS.”
Show times are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets ($25-$15), may be purchased at the door or at Westside Ballet Studios, 1709 Stewart St. Contact: westsideballet.com.