(Editor’s note: We received the following July 12 correspondence from a patron of Ballet Conservatory West, which is located in the Palisades Highland Village at Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard. Founder and director Natalie Wright wrote to her students/families.)
A scene from a 2018 production of “The Nutcracker” held at Pepperdine University
Center for the Arts.
Photo: Ballet Conservatory Facebook
Dear Ballet Conservatory West Community,
It is with sincere sorrow that I write today to inform you of the school’s official closure. As you all know, consequences of the pandemic forced us to close the physical space several months ago. In spite of my best efforts, Ballet Conservatory West has been unable to recover from these losses, thus forcing us to conclude the end of an era.
What began nine years ago with just twelve students and myself as the only teacher, evolved into a true community training ground and home for more than one thousand dancers with eleven faculty members through the years.
I can’t tell you what pride it filled me with to watch your children go from one small, in studio showing as our first spring concert to participating in two large scale productions each year, including a full length Nutcracker.
Thank you for entrusting me and the rest of the BCW faculty with your children. It’s been an honor to usher them through explorations of dance, performance, and fine art.
Going forward, I will be teaching in person private and semi-private ballet lessons in the Palisades on a very limited basis. Please contact me if your family is interested.
Additionally, if your children would like to continue their dance education with any of their other BCW teachers, please send such request to balletconservatorywest@gmail.com, and we will happily forward it to the requested teacher.
Thank you again for a wonderful nine years. Wishing you all the very best.
With love,
Natalie Wright
Director, Ballet Conservatory West
www.balletconservatorywest.com