The Western Ballet project

06/06/2026

We are thrillred to welcome Sandy Delasalle to our creative team this season! How lucky are we?!
Born in Cannes, France, Sandy Delasalle is a Principal Rehearsal Director, Choreographer, Ballet Coach and Mentor with stage experience of over 35 years.
Sandrine’s training started with Rosella Hightower in Cannes and Marika Besobrasova in Monte Carlo. After presenting Prix de Lausanne, she received her first contract as Demi-Soloist at the age of 17 with “Baseler Ballett” under the directorship of Heinz Spoerli and was appointed Principal Dancer at the age of 21!!!

During her career Sandrine performed as a Principal Dancer in Europe’s most prestigious companies and worked with many renown directors. Under their leadership she had the great pleasure to dance Le Parc (with Laurent Hilaire), Don Quixote (with Eric Vu An), Giselle, and Sleeping Beauty. Even more special was that Sandy got to perform principal roles in In The Middle Somewhat Elevated, Romeo and Juliette, and Swan Lake partnering with her husband Aurelien Scannella. What a dream come true!

She was the Artistic Associate of West Australian Ballet under Aurelien Scannella’s leadership for 11 years bringing the company to world class standard .

Since January 2024, Sandrine is a Freelance Ballet teacher and Choreographer coaching the young generation of talented students in Perth. She was also invited by the “Ballet de Nice” as a Guest Teacher during their 2024-2025 season and earlier this year came to Melbourne to Adjudicate the Aus Prix.

Sandy will be choreographing 2 pas de deux pieces which, I have no doubt, will be absolutely stunning! You can find out more about Sandy via her website sandrinedelasalle.com

Tickets are on sale now to witness this magic!

https://hermaj.com/events/medvec-and-morozko-the-western-ballet-project-2026?

02/06/2026

❓Can you guess who the silhoutte is? Do you recognise this WBP dancer? Ooh double pointes if you know what ballet it was captured during!
productions

30/05/2026

📣Tickets for MEDVEC and MOROZKO are available now!

Enter a world of winter magic and timeless folklore in Medvec and Morozko, an enchanting new youth ballet inspired by Slavic legend. The perfect way to end Ballarat's winter festival!

When the kind-hearted Olena Medvec ventures into the snowbound forest, she encounters Morozko, also known as Father Frost, who tests the courage and purity of all who cross his path. This spellbinding ballet weaves a tale of kindness, courage, and the power of the human heart amidst the chill of winter’s embrace.

Performed by the gifted young dancers of The Western Ballet Project’s Youth Company, Medvec and Morozko combines storytelling with breathtaking movement, a magical celebration of folklore, youth, and the beauty of compassion triumphing over cruelty.

Experience the shimmer of snow, the warmth of bravery, and the wonder of dance!

📅12th July 5pm
🎭Her Maj Ballarat
🎫 From $40
Book now via: https://hermaj.com/events/medvec-and-morozko-the-western-ballet-project-2026?

OR the link in our Bio OR head to the website!

29/05/2026

Intoducing...🥁
Our Senior Corps de Ballet for our upcomig production of Medvec and Morozko which will be performed at the historical and maginificent Her Maj Theatre at Ballarat.

Getting to perform in their home town of Ballarat is Mikaylah. This is Mikaylah's very first season with us and we are proud of her resilience and dedication to continue to audition and finess her ballet skills until she suceeds! Mikaylah trains

Coming all the way from Echuca we welcome sisters Samantha and Charlotte. We had the pleasure of working with Samantha in our Bendigo production of Chang'E Goddess of the moon back in 2023, but not Charlotte - so welcome! Both girls dance

Another regional dancer is Maisie. Maisie lives in Castlemaine and dances This will be her 3rd season with us after, Chang'E and EVA.

Wow, our dances really are from all over Victoria! Meg is from Torquay and dances at Meg joined us on our 5th year celebration of Midas and has been with us every season since!

We are thrilled to see both Alyssa and Hope return after a season break! Alyssarose_ joined the WBP family for the season of EVA last year and trains at . Hope dances at . Hope, like several of her peers joined us for our Bendigo production of Chang'e and has this will be her 4th season with us.

We are so excited to work with you all!
📅12th July 5pm
🎫https://hermaj.com/events/medvec-and-morozko-the-western-ballet-project-2026?

27/05/2026

Introducing...🥁
The Intermediate Corps de Ballet/ Ensemble for our upcoming production of the Slavic fairytale of Father Frost, 'Medvec and Morozko'. This talented group will be playing Villagers in act 1 and Snow in act 2. Being part of the corps de ballet is the most vital role. Every dancer must move as one, listening, adapting and supporting each other to create a unified performance.

Our longest standing WBP member in this group is Hannah Hannah was first successful for the 2023 production of 'Chang'E, Goddess of the Moon' but since then has performed in several seasons and featured as lead roles in the 'Suffragettes' and ' A Christmas (in July) Carol'. She is a well loved member of the WBP family. Another well loved dancer is Molly This will be Molly's 6th ballet with us, It has been an honour to watch her progress over the last few years.

We welcome for the first time Mylo, who dances at . Mylo recieved the .south.street.dance WBP Scholarship for his performance in the boys only section. Congratulations Mylo! Also new this season is Trinity and Eliza who train alongside Romi, Piper, Olivia and Hannah.

We are also thrilled to have a large group of dancers from MAPA Australia under the fabulous coaching of . Molly, Emily, Eileen, Zara and Chloe. Welcome back girls!

Rohan's first WBP was 'EVA' and we have had the pleasure of working with her ever since. Rohan .ballet trains
. Both Charlotte and Charlotte return to us after their premiere WBP season this January. Charlotte Smith .dance dances at the gorgeous studios (of which we rehearse out of) and Charlotte Grasby trains

📅12th July 5pm
🎭
🎫https://hermaj.com/events/medvec-and-morozko-the-western-ballet-project-2026?

25/05/2026

INTRODUCING...🥁
Our junior corps de ballet/ ensemble. These young dancers are aged between 8 and 10 years old and will be playing the roles of Villagers and Snow in our winter production of Medvec and Morozko.

Both Madison .zoe.b and Mylah train . This will be Mylah's first experience with the company and we are excited to work with her! We welcome back Madison, who joined us last season for Mary Stuart. Also returning from last season we have the pleasure of having Isobel, Kirby and Claire who all dance
Ava danced with us in Midas, 18 months ago and we are glad to have her back! She dances at along with Paige who took part in Mary Stuart and Isabel J who will be making her WBP debut! Also making their WBP debut this season is Eliza! Eliza dances at who host our rehearsals!

Whilst everyone comes from a variety of studios and locations I am sure you will all become firm friends very soon!

📅12th July 5pm
🎫https://hermaj.com/events/medvec-and-morozko-the-western-ballet-project-2026?
🎭

21/05/2026

INTRODUCING...🥁
The Polevik and the Domovoy! This fairytale has been told for hundreds of years, before Christianity had spread throughout Eastern Europe. Being rooted deeply in nature and farming, many of their deities were associated with living healthy bountiful lives. There were spirits in weather, cattle, fire, birth, fertility, wealth and so many more!

The Polevik is a shape shifting, mischievous spirit of field and plains. She is worshipped and praised to protect the harvest and provide lots of crops for winter. Our Polevik will be played by Chloe McMillan Chloe has been a part of the WBP for a long time and is an integral member of our community. She has played many roles in our ballets; maids, Lady Douglas, a golden statue, an actress, a white knightess and now Polevik. She trains at and

The Domovoy is the house spirit who usually lives in the fire or under the floor boards - this Domovoy will be living on the stage and will keep the fire burning in winter and protect the house from evil spirits. Played by Poppy Emmerson who dances at Poppy started dancing with WBP during our season of Escalibur. We are excited to see her challenged in this character role!

18/05/2026

INTRODUCING...🥁
Morozko and his Snow Spirits! Morozko is Father Frost and the principal character in this winter ballet. Morozko is both feared and welcomed and in this fairytale he rewards kindness, respect and resilience but shows no mercy to those who are rude and self centred.

Morozko will be played by Mikael Grasby who trains at Mikael joined the WBP for the first time in January and we are thrilled to have him back playing this lead role! Congratulations

Morozko's 4 snow spirit's or 'Zima' are Esme Aldred .ballet1 who dances at . It is a credit to Esme and her teachers to see her in this featured role as it was only 18 months ago that she was not succesful in her WBP audition. Wow Esme! Your growth and perseverance is an inspiration. Isla Buttigieg .buttigieg6 and Annabel Groombridge both dance at and bring with them stunning artistry. We have had the pleasure working with Isla before and are ready to see her step into this bigger role. We welcome Annabel to her first season! Zoe Hocking trains at and has been a part of the WBP family for over 3 years and It's always a pleasure to have her energy and experience in the company.

Stay tuned for more of the cast soon!

🎫https://hermaj.com/events/medvec-and-morozko-the-western-ballet-project-2026?
🎭
📅12th July 5pm

14/05/2026

INTRODUCING....🥁
The Medvec family! Medvec is primarily a Slovak surname meaning 'bear' and each member of this strong, intelligent family plays a principal role within our winter ballet. Like a couple of well known fairy tales (Cinderella, Snow White) Mr and Mrs Medvec are married after both being widowed, each bringing a daughter; Mrs Medvec's daughter is Katerina, beautiful but vain and lazy, whereas Mr Medvec's daughter Olena is humble, kind and hardworking. Thus making Mrs Medvec the evil Stepmother!

The stepmother will be played by Saskia Maillet who trains Saskia's first WBP production was in January 2023 in 'Excalibur' and since then she has been in many featured roles but this will be her first principal character role. Congratulations Saskia! .loves.dance

Her devoted husband will be played by Parker Goulding who dances in Echuca. Parker exudes joy and energy where ever he goes and we are so happy to have him back this season as Mr Medvec! .dancer Parkers first WBP production was our summer season of Midas on the Mornington Peninsula and a mere 18 months later his strength and classical technique has flourished dramatically. Well done Parker!

Although Katerina is the 'cruel and conceited' stepsister, Charlotte Trapani is anything but. Naturally a hardworking and humble young lady, we are excited to see Charlotte challenged in this principal character. .dance trains and performed with us for the first time in our most recent production of 'Mary Stuart'. It is a pleasure to welcome her back.

The Slavic Cinderella of this Eastern Eurpoean fairy tale is Olena. Olena will be played by Evie Mason who you may recognise from our 2025 ballet of Eva Peron where she played the principal role of 'teenage Eva'. Evie trains A highly captivating performer, .v.i.e_dancer is bound to bring magic to the stage.

🎫 On sale soon
🎭
📅Sunday 12th July 5pm

07/05/2026

Bridging the Gap -
A huge thank you to Jack from the Star Weekly for creating this piece on The Western Ballet Project! Have a read and give it a like!

📸EnPointe Productions
🎤Director Sophie O'Donnell
🎤Performer Charlotte

The Western Ballet Project is bridging the gap between star-class ballet and theatre productions and its accessibility in the west. Founded by artistic director Sophie O’Donnell, the Western Ballet Project is a youth ballet production company which instructs out of studios and theatres in Melbourn...