Lauridsen Ballet Centre

Home of Ballet California
where excellence is the reward!

Directors: Diane Lauridsen and Elijah S. Pressman

School Administrator: Jamie Pressman

Faculty: Leslie Burn, Michael Hill, Jerry Kokich, Almaliis Lauridsen, Xochitl Velazquez

Pianists: Leon Logvinsky, Hiroko Ogawa, Claire Jung, Satomi Kanazawa, Marc Lombardino, Candice Davis

Guests: Garrett Anderson, Dr. Linda Bluestein, Skylar Burson, Misty Copeland, Ron Cunningham, Candice Davis, Ashley Ellis, Julie Friedrich, Vicky Lambert, Kristen McLaughlin, Mayu Odaka, Benjamin Simoens, Yusha-Marie Sorzano, Kenneth Walker

Lauridsen Ballet Centre is widely regarded as one of the finest training centers in the country.  Our unique curriculum combines respected ballet traditions with cutting edge knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology, working with the body in a way that is surely the direction of the future.

For more than forty years, one dancer after another has graduated to join the ranks in the extremely competitive, professional world of ballet, many as principals and soloists. Former members have joined the ranks of:

7th Street Company, Aalto Ballet Theatre (Germany), Alabama Ballet, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Artifact Dance Project, Atlantic City Ballet, Ballet Arizona, Ballet Austin, Ballet Pacifica, Ballet Tucson, Boston Ballet, California Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Corella Ballet of Spain, Dawson Dance SF, Het National Ballet of Amsterdam, Houston Ballet, Ballet Idaho, Instruments Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Kenneth Walker Dance Project, L.A. Dance Project, Los Angeles Ballet, Lexington Ballet, Louisville Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Nanette Brodie Dance Theatre, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Oakland Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Polaris Dance Theatre, Royal Ballet of Flanders, Sacramento Ballet, Same Planet Different World, San Francisco Ballet, Sarasota Ballet of Florida, Smuin Ballet, Stephen Petronio Company, St. Louis Ballet, Tokyo Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Utah Metropolitan Ballet.

Whether you are an aspiring professional, studying to audition for a university dance program, or simply wish to enjoy the beauty that is ballet, Lauridsen Ballet Centre is THE place to be.

Contact us to find out about our boy’s and men’s program, our leading teacher training program, and the performance opportunities through Ballet California. Be sure to ask about our elite training program, summer extras, adult classes, pre-ballet or beginning children's classes.

Ballet California is neither a political nor a religious organization. We are a member of the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD).

Come to a performance or stop by for a class, and discover for yourself the excellence of Lauridsen Ballet Centre! We look forward to hearing from you.