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Los Angeles Ballet is launching an exciting new partnership opportunity for Season 19! If you are a luxury brand seeking to bridge and advance the art forms of design and dance, please consider joining our LAB Brand Collaborators. Major Giving Major Giving / Elevate the Stage: Invest in the future of Los Angeles Ballet As Los Angeles Ballet celebrates its milestone 20th Anniversary Season, major gifts ensure transformational growth, provide stability for long-term planning, and expand access to ballet across Los Angeles. Learn more about our Special Project Funds and Season 20 Priorities below: ARTISTIC INNOVATION FUND DANCERS WELLNESS FUND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FUND COSTUME, SCENIC, AND STAGING FUND MEMORYHOUSE BARAK | RICHTER LIVE ORCHESTRA FUND OFF BALANCE Special Project Funds Artistic Innovation Fund Pioneering new works keeps ballet evolving and propels the art form forward. This fund supports commissioning new choreography and collaborations, building on LAB’s tradition of world premieres — including Melissa Barak’s new work debuting this season. $25,000 – Provides seed funding for a new work’s development. $50,000 – Supports a week of rehearsal workshops with the full company. $100,000 – Funds staging a new ballet with costumes, sets, and production design. Dancer Wellness Fund Behind every performance is the strength and resilience of LAB’s dancers. This fund provides access to physical therapy, injury prevention, and wellness services to keep them performing at their best throughout the 20th Anniversary Season. $25,000 – Provides annual PT support for the company. $50,000 – Covers injury prevention and rehabilitation services. $100,000 – Establishes a comprehensive wellness program for LAB dancers. Community Engagement Fund LAB is committed to ensuring that ballet is accessible to everyone in Los Angeles. Through our signature initiatives: Power of Performance (POP!) – Provides thousands of free tickets each year to underserved children, families, veterans, seniors, and other community members who might not otherwise have access to ballet. A Chance to Dance (ACTD) – Offers free community ballet classes across Los Angeles, encouraging young dancers of all backgrounds to explore movement, creativity, and confidence. “I was at The Nutcracker, the very first ballet with our ladies. It was so magical to see some who had been homeless or being abused or just abusing themselves with drugs so free and happy. The situation that got me was that about half of the ladies had tears streaming down their faces and they all said at once when they saw me looking at them that they had never experienced something so beautiful before.” – Program Participant $25,000 – Gives the gift of live ballet to 250 community members. $50,000 – Provides 1,200 free dance classes. $100,000 – Underwrites 10% of Nutcracker tickets for POP! Participants. $250,000 – Funds a full season of free community engagement and education programs. Production and Maintenance Fund Invest in the technical and creative elements that bring ballet magic to life — from set and lighting design to refurbishing beloved costumes. This season, your gift helps realize the timeless beauty of The Nutcracker , the romance of Giselle , and the visual artistry of Barak’s world premiere. $25,000 – Supports annual maintenance and costume restoration. $50,000 – Funds refurbishment of sets, lighting, and stage elements. $100,000 – Provides annual preservation and storage for the new Nutcracker. $250,000 – Establishes a long-term production maintenance reserve for LAB’s repertory. Programming Fund This fund provides the artistic freedom for Melissa Barak to curate dynamic seasons that blend LAB creations with important works from the global ballet repertoire. It supports the licensing, staging, and rehearsal of pieces by other choreographers and companies, enriching LAB’s artistic range and connecting Los Angeles audiences with iconic works. $25,000 – Supports licensing of one contemporary or classical ballet. $100,000 – Underwrites rights, royalties, and staging costs for one major work. $250,000 – Funds the curation and presentation of an entire mixed-repertory program. Season 20 Priorities Live Orchestra Fund Ensure that dancers and audiences alike can experience the magic of movement and the power of live music together. $25,000 – Supports rehearsals with a full orchestra. $50,000 – Underwrites one Nutcracker performance with live orchestra. $100,000 – Underwrites a full run of live-orchestra performances for Nutcracker. $250,000 – Establishes a season-long commitment to live orchestra across LAB’s productions. Sensory-Friendly Performances Fund This initiative ensures that individuals with sensory sensitivities can experience the magic of ballet. Beginning with The Nutcracker , LAB adapts lighting, sound, and the audience environment to create a welcoming, inclusive experience. $25,000 – Funds staff/volunteer training and accessibility materials. $50,000 – Covers adaptive lighting, sound adjustments, and quiet spaces. $100,000 – Underwrites a full sensory-friendly performance with reduced-price tickets. $250,000 – Establishes an annual series of sensory-friendly performances across LAB’s season. Sponsor LAB’s New Nutcracker Support the production of LAB’s brand-new Nutcracker — an investment that will delight audiences for years to come. $25,000 – Supports rehearsal and staging costs. $50,000 – Funds select new costume and scenic design elements. $100,000 – Provides vital production support for one Nutcracker performance. Leadership Gifts ($250,000+) – Help bring the entire new Nutcracker to life. Giselle Spring 2026 | Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre Los Angeles Ballet will perform at the Music Center for the very first time with the timeless classic Giselle. This milestone not only marks LAB’s debut at one of Los Angeles’ most iconic cultural institutions but also introduces audiences to a cornerstone of the ballet repertoire during our 20th Anniversary Season. Giselle is a timeless classic that continues to inspire audiences and dance artists alike. Between the incredibly touching score by Adolphe Adam and the brilliant staging by choreographers Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, Giselle transcends the stage it is performed on and takes on dramatic life of its own. A story focusing on love, betrayal, and eventually redemption, it is a must in any company canon, and a riveting story that cuts to the heart of what it is to be human. Levels of Support $25,000 – Supports rehearsals of Giselle. $50,000 – Funds costume and scenic design elements unique to this production $75,000 – Underwrites one performance at the Ahmanson Theatre — LAB’s first at the Music Center. GIVE NOW Contact Olivia O'Connor Director of Development (310) 477-7411 ext 1006 oloconnor@losangelesballet.org

Julia Rivera has dedicated over 20 years to serving in leadership roles and consulting in marketing communications, branding, strategic partnerships, and audience development for museums and performing arts organizations throughout LA Countynationally and internationally. Founded by Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, LAB tours throughout LA County. Leadership Melissa Barak Melissa Barak is an award-winning choreographer, former professional dancer with New York City Ballet (NYCB) and Los Angeles Ballet, and founder of Barak Ballet before becoming LAB’s Artistic Director in 2022. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Barak began her ballet training at the age of eight at Westside School of Ballet in Santa Monica, California under the direction of Yvonne Mounsey and Rosemary Valaire. Her training continued in New York City at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of NYCB. In 1998, Barak was invited to join NYCB where she performed in numerous works by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins as well as originating roles in new ballets by Christopher Wheeldon, Elliot Feld, and Robert Garland among others. Barak began exploring her choreographic talents throughout her time at SAB and NYCB. At the age of 21, she premiered her work Telemann Overture Suite in E Minor at the SAB June Workshop performance that quickly followed up with encore performances on NYCB the following season. Later that year another choreographic commission was offered by NYCB for their prestigious Diamond Project making her, at the time, the youngest choreographer to create an original work on the company. She has created new works for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Richmond Ballet, Dayton Ballet, American Repertory Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet, and Barak Ballet, a Los Angeles based contemporary ballet company she founded in 2013. She has had the honor of choreographing on dance luminaries including Sara Mearns, Tiler Peck, Justin Peck, Benjamin Millepied, and Robert Fairchild. In 2009 and 2010, she was invited to return to the New York City Ballet where she created two more works, A Simple Symphony and Call Me Ben respectively. Her film and commercial credits include original choreography for Mattel’s feature film Barbie in the Pink Shoes, Xayron in Hungary, Illusions in China, and a Samsung commercial working alongside director Mark Romanek. Melissa has been awarded the Mae L. Wein and Choo San Goh awards for Outstanding Choreography and has been named a Dance Magazine “Top 25 to Watch”. She was also the inaugural recipient of the Virginia B. Toulmin Fellowship for Women Choreographers through Center for Ballet and the Arts at NYU. Executive Director Julia Rivera Julia Rivera has dedicated over 20 years to serving in leadership roles and consulting in marketing communications, branding, strategic partnerships, and audience development for museums and performing arts organizations throughout LA County including The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, LA Opera, Pacific Jazz Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, The Broad Museum, and Los Angeles Ballet. Julia joined LAB in 2015 to lead the efforts of marketing communications, ticket sales, and audience development, and the rebranding of the Company in 2023 before stepping into the role of Executive Director. Originally from Chicago, Julia is a U.S. Army veteran and volunteers as a career coach for members of the military preparing for civilian careers. She is also a former Marketing Director of the American Marketing Association, Los Angeles Chapter. LOS ANGELES BALLET Repertoire Learn about the comprehensive and varied seasons of Los Angeles Ballet since its debut in 2006. Repertoire includes Balanchine masterworks, stylistically meticulous classical ballets, commissioned and contemporary works by renowned local and international choreographers. VIEW REPERTOIRE LOS ANGELES BALLET History Read the history of the company from the premiere performances of LAB’s original production of The Nutcracker in 2006. Learn about LAB’s Leadership, Mission, Outreach initiatives, commissions of original works and more. LAB HISTORY Home / Leadership / Artistic Director

Choose a standard subscription or a themed series and enjoy all the benefits of being a Los Angeles Ballet Subscriber. Ticket Information In-person Ticket Sales Group Sales Venues Accessibility Gift Certificates Tax-Deductibe Donations Terms & Conditions of Sales In-house Policies Privacy Policy LOS ANGELES BALLET Repertoire Learn about the comprehensive and varied seasons of Los Angeles Ballet since its debut in 2006. Repertoire includes Balanchine masterworks, stylistically meticulous classical ballets, commissioned and contemporary works by renowned local and international choreographers. VIEW REPERTOIRE LOS ANGELES BALLET History Read the history of the company from the premiere performances of LAB’s original production of The Nutcracker in 2006. Learn about LAB’s Leadership, Mission, Outreach initiatives, commissions of original works and more. LAB HISTORY 2026/2027 Season / Ticket Information / Need Assistance? Email / (310) 998-7782 Ticket Information Choose a standard subscription or a themed series and enjoy all the benefits of being a Los Angeles Ballet Subscriber. Subscriptions 2026/2027 Season Subscriptions SUBSCRIBE Single Tickets 2026/2027 Season Single Tickets On Sale Soon! EXPLORE THE SEASON Upcoming Special Engagement Los Angeles Ballet at the Hollywood Bowl September 8, 2026 TICKETS Annual Nutcracker Tea November 21 & 22, 2026 On Sale Soon! TICKETS

Support the power of live performance through the Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra Fund. Your gift helps bring world-class musicians and dancers together onstage, elevating the artistic experience for audiences while sustaining professional orchestral musicians in Los Angeles. Live music transforms ballet from performance into an unforgettable experience. < Back to Giving Donate to the Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra Fund

Season 2007-2008 George Balanchine Melissa Barak Melissa Barak Melissa Barak Melissa Barak George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine Lar Lubovitch Lar Lubovitch Jennifer Backhaus Jennifer Backhaus Jennifer Backhaus Jennifer Backhaus Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky George Balanchine Melissa Barak Melissa Barak Melissa Barak Melissa Barak George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine Lar Lubovitch Lar Lubovitch Jennifer Backhaus Jennifer Backhaus Jennifer Backhaus Jennifer Backhaus Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Previous Gallery All photos by Reed Hutchinson Click on image for a fullscreen presentation. Next Gallery

On February 27, 2013 LAB Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary announced the promotions of 5 dancers. Home / News / New Item Five LAB Dancers Promoted May 1, 2013 Company News from the Staff at LAB On February 27, 2013 LAB Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary announced the promotions of 5 dancers. Zheng Hua Li joins the ranks of Principal Dancer, along with Allyssa Bross, Allynne Noelle, Christopher Revels, and Kenta Shimizu. Bianca Bulle, Alexander Castillo, Julia Cinquemani and Chelsea Paige Johnston were promoted to the newly created Soloist position.

Los Angeles Ballet presents a company of outstanding dancers from local communities and around the world. LAB dance artists master classical as well as contemporary techniques. Cleo Taneja Hometown Granada Hills, CA Seasons with LAB 8 Seasons with LAB Born and raised in Los Angeles, Cleo began dancing at age three. She received her early training at California Dance Academy, where she earned scholarships to many prestigious national summer programs, including San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and School of American Ballet, where, at the age of 16, she was invited to attend the winter term. Upon graduation from SAB, Cleo joined Los Angeles Ballet in 2018, where she has danced featured roles in ballets such as The Nutcracker , Sleeping Beauty , Lady of the Camellias , and many others.

Silk chiffon dresses flutter, crystal-covered rompers twinkle, and sequin-etched gowns shine. Home / News / New Item Fall Fashion 2015: The Turning Point October 28, 2015 Los Angeles Magazine by Linda Immediato Silk chiffon dresses flutter, crystal-covered rompers twinkle, and sequin-etched gowns shine. Who better than members of Los Angeles Ballet— celebrating its tenth-anniversary season—to showcase fall’s high-drama couture and evening looks? READ ARTICLE AT SOURCE

The Nutcracker 2015 Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky SarahAnne Perel Julia Cinquemani and Kenta Shimizu with the LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani and Erik Thordal-Christensen LAB Ensemble Biana Bulle with LAB Ensemble Allyssa Bross with SarahAnne Perel and David Block Samuel Akins Julie Cinquemani and Alexander Castillo SarahAnne Perel, David Block and Zheng Hua Li LAB Ensemble LAB Ensemble Ashely Millar and Laura Chachich SarahAnne Perel, David Block and Zheng Hua Li Javiar Moya Romero SarahAnne Peral and Javiar Moya Romero Kenta Shimizu Julia Cinquemani SarahAnne Perel, David Block and LAB Ensemble Bianca Bulle and Zachary Guthier Allyssa Bross and Kenta Shimizu SarahAnne Perel and Zheng Hua Li LAB Ensemble SarahAnne Perel and LAB Ensemble SarahAnne Perel Julia Cinquemani and Kenta Shimizu with the LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani and Erik Thordal-Christensen LAB Ensemble Biana Bulle with LAB Ensemble Allyssa Bross with SarahAnne Perel and David Block Samuel Akins Julie Cinquemani and Alexander Castillo SarahAnne Perel, David Block and Zheng Hua Li LAB Ensemble LAB Ensemble Ashely Millar and Laura Chachich SarahAnne Perel, David Block and Zheng Hua Li Javiar Moya Romero SarahAnne Peral and Javiar Moya Romero Kenta Shimizu Julia Cinquemani SarahAnne Perel, David Block and LAB Ensemble Bianca Bulle and Zachary Guthier Allyssa Bross and Kenta Shimizu SarahAnne Perel and Zheng Hua Li LAB Ensemble SarahAnne Perel and LAB Ensemble Previous Gallery All photos by Reed Hutchinson Click on image for a fullscreen presentation. Next Gallery

In honor of America at 250, American Icons celebrates legendary innovators in American dance and music. The program opens with Artistic Director Melissa Barak’s Pretty, Peculiar Things set to In C Remixed, a musical adaptation by numerous American musicians of American composer Terry Riley’s groundbreaking work, In C. Written in 1964, In C stands as one of the most successful works by an American composer and a seminal example of minimalism in classical music. 2026/2027 Season / American Icons / Friday, September 25, 2026 7:30 pm / Tickets

In honor of America at 250, American Icons celebrates legendary innovators in American dance and music. The program opens with Artistic Director Melissa Barak’s Pretty, Peculiar Things set to In C Remixed, a musical adaptation by numerous American musicians of American composer Terry Riley’s groundbreaking work, In C. Written in 1964, In C stands as one of the most successful works by an American composer and a seminal example of minimalism in classical music. 2026/2027 Season / American Icons / Saturday, September 26, 2026 7:30 pm / Tickets