Central West Ballet

05/31/2026

CWB Academy of Dance 2026 Showcase is about to start at 2pm!

Thank you to our families and our wonderful students in all levels ~ you are all splendid and you light up the stage!

Thank you to our stellar faculty of teachers! We’ll see you at our upcoming CWB Academy Summer Intensive!

-Leslie Ann Larson
Director • CWB Academy of Dance

05/25/2026

In memory ~ Ron Emerzian.

We share this Gallo Center post in remembering and honoring the memory of Ron Emerzian.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ron Emerzian, a founding trustee and former board chair of the Gallo Center for the Arts. Ron was a devoted family man, a respected businessman, and a valued community leader whose advocacy helped shape the Center’s history. He will be greatly missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Janice, and to his children and grandchildren. You can read The Modesto Bee’s obituary at https://tinyurl.com/32nnueum. To make a gift to the Gallo Center in Ron’s honor, please visit https://tinyurl.com/4n398u9t.

05/25/2026

We are grateful and we remember.

05/05/2026

May the Fourth be with You ~ Always.

05/04/2026

Central West Ballet
CINDERELLA 2026

Congratulations to all Casts of Cinderella! What a wonderful show from the Opening to the Apotheosis! Cinderellas, Princes, Fairy Godmothers, Step Sisters, Stepmoms, Dance Master, Dance Assistants, Jester, Season Fairies, All Midnight Fairies, Court Ladies, CWB Academy students, everyone delivered a whimsical performance! Our audience was enchanted with the entire production.

Thank you to our amazing wardrobe assistants and Wardrobe Director Rocky Valleau. Thank you boutique and flowers. Thanks to the amazing crew of the Gallo Center for the Arts. Special thank you to Paul Tischer and Ann Endsley for providing us with extra stage hands to handle this amazing production courtesy of Texas Ballet Theater. Thank you to our young men, Stephen Poncini, Michael and Thomas Chin for doing the heavy lifting backstage and all of our parent volunteers for load out.

Thanks to John Barnes for load in/out and backstage set up and maintenance of the sets and props. Thanks to our Board of Directors and Executive Director Karin Reenstierna.

We’ll see you for our next season starting with The Time Machine, The Nutcracker and Nutcracker in Jazz, the Swan Lake 150th Anniversary special with Central West Ballet and Modesto Symphony Orchestra together onstage. And toping off the season: the return of Rat Pack in R***e! Tickets to CWB's upcoming 2026-27 will be available soon!

04/14/2026

THE RECENT PAST

Nutcracker in Jazz, Trenton Brouillette as the Ice King.

Rachel Driskill Photography.

04/13/2026

CINDERELLA
DREAMS DO COME TRUE!
GALLO CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Central West Ballet
Tickets links below.
May 2 at 2pm
https://tickets.galloarts.org/10742/10743
May 2 at 7pm
https://tickets.galloarts.org/10742/10744
May 3 at 2pm
https://tickets.galloarts.org/10742/10745

Cinderella, the classic Fairy Tale Ballet returns to the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at the Gallo Center for the Arts! With her broom the girl full of cinders meets her Fairy Godmother and transforms into the ball’s most beautiful and mysterious guest. Wearing her crystal slippers, she enters the magical palace and meets her Prince Charming. Join Cinderella and the Prince at the ball and celebrate with the Jester, Dancing Master, Fairies, Stepmother, and the hilarious Stepsisters! You won’t want to miss this fantastic ballet! Shop the Cinderella Boutique in the lobby and don’t forget our Cinderella Fairy Party on stage after selected performances (call CWB at 209-576-8957 for details).

Image: Principal Dancer Noelle Im as Cinderella. Gabriel Ceballos Studio.

04/12/2026

CINDERELLA
DREAMS DO COME TRUE!
GALLO CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Central West Ballet
Tickets links below.
May 2 at 2pm
https://tickets.galloarts.org/10742/10743
May 2 at 7pm
https://tickets.galloarts.org/10742/10744
May 3 at 2pm
https://tickets.galloarts.org/10742/10745
Cinderella, the classic Fairy Tale Ballet returns to the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at the Gallo Center for the Arts! With her broom the girl full of cinders meets her Fairy Godmother and transforms into the ball’s most beautiful and mysterious guest. Wearing her crystal slippers, she enters the magical palace and meets her Prince Charming. Join Cinderella and the Prince at the ball and celebrate with the Jester, Dancing Master, Fairies, Stepmother, and the hilarious Stepsisters! You won’t want to miss this fantastic ballet! Shop the Cinderella Boutique in the lobby and don’t forget our Cinderella Fairy Party on stage after selected performances (call CWB at 209-576-8957 for details).

Image: Central West Ballet • The Midnight Fairies in Cinderella.
Bicek Photogrpahy.

02/28/2026

DANCING IN AMERICA
Gallo Center for the Arts
Celebrating America’s 250th.
GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER MARY KOTTALIS
CWB Presents the Premiere of Hesitate. Choreographed by Mary Kottalis. Powerful and evocative!

Program also Includes:
• Strike Up the Dance, Ballet Suite. An exciting array of Americana patriotic dances and tunes!

• Solitary Workers. A mesmerizing and entertaining work using classic modern styles. Delightful and dynamic!

Friday March 6, 2026 @ 7PM
TICKETS:
https://tickets.galloarts.org/10749/10750
Saturday March 7, 2026 @ 7PM
TICKETS:
https://tickets.galloarts.org/10749/10751

Creations celebrates America 250! The perfect Show for everyone! Innovative and original works presented by Central West Ballet! Amazing versatility that dazzles and excites; something for everyone, you won’t want to miss this audience favorite!



Images: Guest Choreographer Mary Kottalis • Principal Dancers Noelle Im & Grant Landon.
Gabriel Ceballos Studio.