School Of Ballet Arts
About
School of Ballet Arts Philosophy and Bio
9470 Cuyamaca St. Suite 140
Santee, CA 92071 619-258-1227
Leila Parello, Director
Dance is a Celebration of Life
The School of Ballet Arts emphasizes the joy of dance in a friendly, non-competitive environment. We believe the art of dance enhances the quality of life. Our focus is classical ballet dance as education, training, fitness, and enjoyment. The School of Ballet Arts offers a complete ballet curriculum for children, teens, and adults. Individualized classes, taught by our credentialed, professional staff, offer a unique opportunity to learn ballet technique, pointe, classical ballet variations, stretch, jazz, and tap. We offer fun Pre-Ballet, and Toddler pre-ballet classes. Our yearly recitals typically occur in the summer. We offer affordable rates, family discounts, and senior citizen discounts.
School of Ballet Arts focuses on teaching children through adults in a non-competitive environment. I believe the value of dance, and especially ballet, is in the training, discipline, and mental/physical education which it provides. Classroom work and preparation for recital productions give students a chance to learn skills like, cooperation, mutual respect, responsibility, pride in one's work, and a sense of achievement. These values are life-long values which students have as outcomes, regardless of whether they intend to pursue dance as a life-long career or not. I believe that training in an art form, such as dance, contributes to the individual and the community at large. Dance is fun not just for kids but for moms too! Come get in shape with us!
I began the School of Ballet Arts in northern California in 1974. After moving to the San Diego area, I re-opened School of Ballet Arts in El Cajon in 1988, and later relocated it to Santee, CA. I started the School of Ballet Arts in San Jose, CA, where I choreographed major productions such as The Nutcracker, Coppelia Act I, Dvorak Dances, Schubert Dances. In 1981 I held the position of assistant to the director of the San Francisco Ballet School. After moving to southern California, I reopened my school and choreographed new productions, such as, Beauty and the Beast, La Boutique Fantasque, Winter Dream, Coppelia Act I, Scenes from Sleeping Beauty, Chopiniana, Carmen, Schubert Dances. I have taught ballet at institutions, such as, San Jose City College, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet (artistic/coordinator director), USIU (now Alliant University), California Ballet School, and Grossmont-Cuyamaca Continuing Education Program.
My ballet training began in Brazil, where I was born, when I was 5 years old. I was trained by Dimitri Romanoff of America Ballet Theater and studied at San Jose Ballet School (Dimitri and Francesca Romanoff), San Francisco Ballet School, Academy of Ballet San Francisco, Youskevitch Ballet School, American Ballet Theater School, and Ballet Arts at Carnegie Hall in New York City. I danced with San Francisco Ballet Company, San Francisco Opera Ballet, Berkeley Ballet Theater, San Jose Dance Theater, and Young Audiences of San Jose, CA. As principal dancer, I performed leading roles in such ballets as The Nutcracker, Pas de Quatre, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Raymonda, Les Sylphides, and performed in operas, such as Aida, Carmina Burana, Eugene Onegin, Turandot, Faust, Carmen, Les Troyens, La Traviata, Romeo and Juliet, Don Giovanni, A Masked Ball and others.
Our staff
PATRICIA BAKER began her training at the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet in Balboa Park. She studied with Jillana of New York City Ballet, among others. Patricia won a full scholarship to study dance and drama at USIU. She performed in productions at the Casa Del Prado Theater, and danced leading roles in productions such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, and La Bayadere, as well as modern and contemporary works. Patricia performed leading roles with California Ballet, San Diego Ballet, and San Diego Dance Designs in ballets such as the Nutcracker, Midsummer Night's Dream, Raymonda, and Serenade. At San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, Patricia taught all levels of ballet and produced her own choreography. She has choreographed original works for The School of Ballet Arts. She looks forward to sharing her experience and love of dance with others.
Leila Parello
www.letsdancesandiego.com
The School of Ballet Arts offers a complete ballet curriculum for children, teens, and adults. Individualized classes, taught by our professional staff, offer a unique opportunity to learn ballet technique, pointe, stretch, jazz/tap, creative dance for Toddlers through Pre-Ballet. Our focus is dance as education, training, and fitness. Yearly recital. I love teachiing and watching students become dancers!
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
New students are enrolled based on their age and experience. Individual attention and friendly approach.
The School of Ballet Arts offers a complete ballet curriculum for children, teens, and adults. Individualized classes, taught by our professional staff, offer a unique opportunity to learn ballet technique, pointe, stretch, jazz/tap, creative dance for Toddlers through Pre-Ballet. Our focus is dance as education, training, and fitness.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have 40 + years of ballet teaching experience:
LEILA PARELLO has taught ballet since 1972. She holds a Life-Time California Community College Teaching Credential in Dance, as well as a B.A. and M.A. in Philosophy, and a Preliminary Single Subject Credential in English. Leila is an Adjunct Professor of philosophy at Grossmont College, where she teaches Critical Thinking, Philosophy of Art, and Introduction to Philosophy. Leila won the Excellence in Teaching Award on May 10th, 2012 from Grossmont College's philosophy department.
She has taught at several colleges including Southwestern College and Palomar College. Leila's ballet training began in Brazil when she was 5 years old. She was trained by Dimitri Romanoff of America Ballet Theater and studied at San Jose Ballet School (Dimitri and Francesca Romanoff), San Francisco Ballet School, Academy of Ballet San Francisco, Youskevitch Ballet School, American Ballet Theater School, and Ballet Arts at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She danced with San Francisco Ballet Company, San Francisco Opera Ballet, Berkeley Ballet Theater, San Jose Dance Theater, and Young Audiences of San Jose, CA. As principal dancer, Leila performed leading roles in such ballets as The Nutcracker, Pas de Quatre, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Raymonda, Les Sylphides, and performed in operas, such as Aida, Carmina Burana, Eugene Onegin, Turandot, Faust, Carmen, Les Troyens, La Traviata, Romeo and Juliet, Don Giovanni, A Masked Ball and others.
Leila started the School of Ballet Arts in San Jose, CA, where she choreographed major productions such as The Nutcracker, Coppelia Act I, and other original works. She held the position of assistant to the director of the San Francisco Ballet School. After moving to southern California, Leila reopened her school, where she choreographed new productions, such as, Beauty and the Beast, La Boutique Fantasque, Winter Dream, Coppelia Act I, Scenes from Sleeping Beauty, Chopiniana, Schubert Dances and Carmen. Leila has taught ballet at major institutions, such as, San Jose City College, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet (artistic director), USIU (Alliant University), California Ballet School, and Grossmont-Cuyamaca Continuing Education Program.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
3/4-Hour One class per week $48.00 mo.
1-Hour One class per week $56.00 mo.
1.25-Hour One class per week $66.00 mo.
1.5-Hours One class per week $76.00 mo.
1-Hour Two classes per week $95.00 mo.
2.5-Hours One hour ½ & one hour per week $114.00 mo.
1-Hour Three classes per week $124.00 mo.
3 Hours Two hour & ½ classes per week $124.00 mo.
3.5 - 3.75 Hours One hour ½ & two hours per week $144.00 mo.
1-Hour Class Four classes per week $154.00 mo.
Five Classes to Unlimited $168.00 mo.
How did you get started teaching?
I began the School of Ballet Arts in El Cajon, Ca in 1988 but started teaching in San Jose, CA in 1974.
What types of students have you worked with?
We teach toddlers through adults.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Our recitals are always fun and well received. We are hosting Dance Parties for children every last Friday of the Month at 3:30pm for $5.00 per person.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Look for a school/teacher that specializes in one area, such as ballet. You are likely to find better training than in the places where teachers teach every kind of dance.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
There is no set answer. Everyone asks and is perfectly free to ask any question they want regarding their needs.