The American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School at Segerstrom Center for the Arts proudly celebrates its 10th year of providing world class ballet training for aspiring young dancers in Orange County. Established in September of 2015, the Gillespie School has provided a plethora of educational and performance opportunities including its comprehensive year-round program rooted in the ABT National Training Curriculum, as well as master classes, artist lectures, and the chance to perform with prestigious touring ballet companies.
Susan Brooker, Artistic Director of the ABT William J. Gillespie School shares “celebrating the 10th anniversary of the ABT Gillespie School is both a joyful milestone and a meaningful reflection of what can be achieved through passion, partnership, and purpose. What began as a shared vision with American Ballet Theatre has grown into a vibrant community where young dancers thrive under the highest standards of classical ballet. Over the past decade, we’ve watched our students grow not only as dancers, but as confident, creative individuals inspired by the discipline and beauty of one of the most expressive art forms. We are truly grateful to our students, families, faculty, partners and patrons for making this milestone possible. Together, we’ve built something truly special, and we look forward to continuing this legacy for generations to come.”
Many ABT Gillespie students have gone on to dance professionally both nationally and at global dance companies. Recently, former student Lucas Matzkin was selected by Julio Bocco, the new Artistic Director of Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, to join the company. Other alumni have put their dance knowledge to good use at esteemed arts organizations and other creative endeavors. Former student Kendall Bottjer is now the Associate for Creative Enterprise at The Julliard School and is the founder of Supper Club Dance, a company that brings together choreography and fine dining to create unique performance experiences.
Other companies our students have gone on to dance at include: Oklahoma City Ballet (Kellan Hayag), Kansas City Ballet (Isabella Martino), Dutch National Ballet (Anabelle Eubanks), imperfect Dancers (Mariana Vargas), New Orleans Ballet Theater (Sterling Waterfield), Ballet Met (Mallory Sweeney). Our students have gone on to train at: American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, School of the National Ballet of Canada, Julliard, and Joffrey Ballet Academy.
As part of one of the nation’s premier dance institutions, students of the Gillespie School benefit from unparalleled access to the Segerstrom Center’s renowned dance series, regularly sharing the stage with some of the world’s most celebrated ballet companies.
Our students have performed in major productions including: ABT’s Sleeping Beauty, ABT’s Nutcracker, ABT’s Harlequinade, ABT’s Whipped Cream, Mariinsky’s Bayadere, ABT’s Of Love and Rage, ABT’s Woolf Works, ABT’s The Winter’s Tale, Miami City Ballet’s Swan Lake, and Pacific Symphony Orchestra’s Nutcracker for Kids.
Students at the Gillespie School also benefit from its Master Class program, which provides our Pre-Professional students with direct access to some of the most accomplished teaching and performing artists in the world. Students regularly engage with internationally recognized artists who are in residence with major touring productions and dance companies. These Master Classes not only supplement students’ technical training, but also offer rare insight into the diverse styles, repertoire, and philosophies that define today’s professional dance landscape.
Since the school opened, ABT William J. Gillespie students have attended Master Classes with artists and artistic directors from the following companies: American Ballet Theatre, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Eifman Ballet, Houston Ballet, Joffrey
Ballet, Les Ballet de Monte Carlo, Los Angeles Dance Project, Mariinsky Ballet, Mikhailovsky Ballet, Monte Carlo Ballet, New York City Ballet, Parsons Dance Company, Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Sergio Bernal Dance Company.
The mission of the Gillespie School is to cultivate the future of dance by fostering both aspiring professionals and lifelong appreciators of the art form. Our students have gone on to attend prestigious ballet training programs, top universities, and even professional dance companies. Regardless of the path they choose, all students benefit from the foundational skills instilled through their training — discipline, time management, perseverance, and a deep respect for the artistic process.
In celebration of our tenth anniversary season, the school will be expanding its Sunday Master Class Series to span four weekends, featuring some of the most influential figures from the past decade with several high-profile guests, including former ABT Artistic Director, Kevin Mckenzie. Additionally, we plan to welcome back alumni who have gone on to join professional companies, inviting them to perform in our year-end showcase, which will conclude with a special reception.