City of Angels Ballet

Welcome to City of Angels Ballet, a beacon of hope and artistic excellence dedicated to transforming lives through the power of classical ballet in Los Angeles, California. Since its inception in 1993, City of Angels Ballet (CAB) has been driven by a profound mission: to provide the cultural experience of classical ballet to at-risk children in underserved areas of Los Angeles, entirely at no cost to their families. This commitment to equitable access to the arts sets CAB apart as a truly unique and invaluable institution in the heart of our city.

Founded by the esteemed American ballet artist, director, and teacher, Mario Nugara, City of Angels Ballet stands as a testament to his vision and dedication. With a background that includes a full scholarship to the prestigious School of American Ballet, Mr. Nugara brings a wealth of world-class expertise to every aspect of the program. Under his artistic direction, CAB offers an environment where young people not only receive rigorous, high-caliber classical ballet training but also gain invaluable life skills such as discipline, focus, self-esteem, and poise, which sustain them throughout life on a path to higher education and beyond.

For over two decades, CAB has been an active force in the Los Angeles community, reaching out to tens of thousands of youth and providing comprehensive dance scholarships to nearly two thousand students. We believe that dance is a powerful tool for personal transformation, capable of inspiring children to overcome limits imposed by poverty or language barriers. Through the joy of dance, community performances, and the satisfaction of achieving artistic excellence, City of Angels Ballet empowers young individuals to unlock their full potential and envision brighter futures. We invite you to learn more about our impactful programs and witness the beauty of ballet as a catalyst for change.

While the administrative office and mailing address for City of Angels Ballet are in Studio City, the core of our educational programming takes place at 2306 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA. This location is within the vibrant Los Feliz neighborhood, providing an accessible and central hub for our students. It's important to note that while this Hyperion Avenue address serves as a primary point of interest for classes and activities, some sources also indicate that classes are held on the campus of Los Angeles City College, at 855 N. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90029, within the Kinesiology South Building. This dual presence ensures greater accessibility for students coming from various parts of the expansive Los Angeles metropolitan area.

For those traveling by car, both locations generally offer parking options, though it's always advisable to check for specific parking regulations or available lots, especially around Los Feliz which can have metered street parking or nearby structures. For students utilizing public transportation, both the Hyperion Avenue location and Los Angeles City College are well-connected by local bus routes, and are relatively close to Metro Red Line stations, making it convenient for individuals from across Los Angeles to attend classes. The emphasis on accessible locations underscores City of Angels Ballet's commitment to reaching underserved communities and making high-quality ballet training attainable for all eligible students, regardless of their geographical starting point within the city.

City of Angels Ballet offers a meticulously structured and impactful range of services, primarily focused on providing comprehensive classical ballet training and related artistic experiences to youth:

• Emerging Artist Program: Designed for serious ballet students aged 6-16, this program offers classes separated by level (e.g., Lilac 6-7yr, Green Lily 8-9yr, Butter Cup 10-11yr, Blue Birds 12-13yr, Navy Blue 14-16yr). An audition is mandatory for entry, and the curriculum includes ballet, modern dance, pointe, variations, and significant performance opportunities.
• Open School Classes: Providing an introduction to dance for younger students aged 3-12. These classes include:
  • Tiny Tots (3-4yr): Focuses on basic ballet movement.
  • Creative Dance (5-6yr): Introduces ballet vocabulary and movement.
  • Pre-Ballet (7-10yr): Combines ballet class with yoga.
  • Ballet I (11-12yr): Integrates ballet, yoga, and modern dance.
• Modern Dance Classes: Under the direction of Ms. Yuka Fukuda, these classes are built on the Horton Technique, emphasizing flat backs, pelvic hinges, and lateral T's, with influences from anatomical studies and African styles.
• Performance Opportunities: Integral to the curriculum, students are given regular opportunities to perform in community showcases and larger productions, allowing them to experience the joy of dance on stage and gain invaluable performance experience.
• Community Outreach Program: Annually serving 3,000 to 5,000 elementary students in Title I Elementary schools, providing introductory dance experiences and fostering an appreciation for the arts. This program often includes 1-hour company performances with Q&A sessions and movement workshops.
• Classical Ballet Academy: Providing beginning, intermediate, and advanced formal ballet instruction to 60 to 100 youth annually, with a goal to expand to 400. This highly selective program offers full dance scholarships, including dancewear, at no cost to eligible families.
• College Credit Potential: Through an arrangement with Los Angeles City College, even the youngest dancers in the program may receive actual college credit for successful completion, linking their artistic training to academic advancement.
• Mentorship and Life Skills Development: Beyond dance technique, the program actively teaches students essential life skills such as body care, responsibility for dancewear, goal setting, and respectful interaction, contributing to increased focus and better academic grades.

City of Angels Ballet stands out through several key features and highlights that underscore its profound impact and unique position within the Los Angeles arts community:

• No-Cost, World-Class Training: A foundational highlight is the provision of high-caliber classical ballet training to at-risk children from underserved communities entirely free of charge, removing financial barriers to artistic excellence.
• Visionary Leadership: Founded and led by Artistic Director Mario Nugara, an accomplished ballet artist with a background from the School of American Ballet, ensuring a high standard of professional instruction and artistic vision.
• Holistic Youth Development: The mission extends beyond dance steps, empowering children with discipline, focus, self-esteem, and poise. This comprehensive approach helps students succeed not only in dance but also in life and academia, with many being the first in their families to attend college.
• Extensive Community Outreach: Regularly engaging thousands of elementary students in Title I schools through performances and movement workshops, fostering a love for dance from an early age and promoting arts accessibility across the city.
• Strong Academic Linkages: The unique arrangement with Los Angeles City College allows students to potentially earn college credit, highlighting a commitment to educational advancement alongside artistic training.
• Diversity and Inclusivity: The student body reflects the rich ethnic diversity of Los Angeles, and the program actively supports youth who qualify for federal free lunch programs, demonstrating a strong commitment to inclusivity.
• Proven Track Record of Impact: For over 30 years, CAB has transformed thousands of young lives, with documented positive outcomes like increased focus, better grades, and avoidance of negative social pressures (e.g., school dropout, teen pregnancy, gang membership).
• Emphasis on Performance and Artistic Excellence: Students gain invaluable stage experience through regular performances, fostering artistic excellence and providing a tangible sense of achievement.

For more detailed information regarding admissions, class schedules, or how to support the mission of City of Angels Ballet, please use the following contact information. Please note that while classes are held at 2306 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027, and Los Angeles City College, the main mailing address for the organization is different.

Primary Class Location: 2306 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA

Mailing Address/Office: 3350 Wrightview Place, Studio City, CA 91604, USA

Phone: (323) 450-9022 (general inquiries)

Email: info@cityofangelsballet.com

For inquiries in Spanish: valmontj@cityofangelsballet.com

For fundraising inquiries: (424) 353-9797

It is recommended to visit their official website for the most current schedule and program details.

For locals across California, particularly those in Los Angeles and its surrounding communities, City of Angels Ballet represents an extraordinary opportunity and a vital community asset. Its suitability for locals is deeply rooted in its impactful mission and comprehensive approach. For parents seeking enriching, high-quality artistic opportunities for their children, CAB provides world-class classical ballet training at no financial cost, a truly unique offering that breaks down economic barriers to the arts. This means that talented young individuals from all backgrounds can pursue their passion for dance, develop discipline, and build self-esteem in a nurturing environment.

Beyond the direct beneficiaries, City of Angels Ballet enriches the cultural landscape of Los Angeles by fostering local talent and providing captivating performances that reflect the city's diverse community. Supporting CAB, whether by attending performances or contributing to their mission, allows locals to invest directly in the future of their youth and the vitality of their cultural scene. The proven track record of empowering children to achieve academic success and overcome life challenges further solidifies its value as a foundational institution within the community. For anyone in California who believes in the transformative power of arts education and equitable opportunities, City of Angels Ballet is not just a dance school; it is a profound testament to what can be achieved when talent is nurtured and dreams are given the space to flourish, right here in the City of Angels.

City of Angels Ballet

2306 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA