Sonoma Conservatory of Dance Announces First-Ever Gala
Masquerade Ball to Raise Scholarship Funds and Support Youth Dance Programs
Pictured (L – R): Grace Berger, Leonora Spencer, Vanessa Carrillo, Maren McKesson, Savanah Rayner, Sofia Galetto
For the first time in its 54-year history, the Sonoma Conservatory of Dance (known lovingly as “the ballet studio across from Peet’s”) invites the community to an extraordinary fundraising gala featuring dinner, dance, and a silent and live auction with great items from Sonoma and San Francisco. This event aims to bolster its generous scholarship fund and support its diverse program of classes and public performances.
The gala evening will commence at 5:30 p.m. on November 14, as guests are welcomed to the elegant Jacuzzi Winery. The festivities will begin with a cocktail hour featuring appetizers and music by the Advanced Chamber Ensemble from Sonoma’s own ViVO Youth Orchestras. A seated, three-course dinner catered by Elaine Bell — her last event before retiring — will be highlighted by a captivating ballet performance from SCD’s top students. Renowned auctioneer Richard Habib will lead the auction, providing attendees the opportunity to fund essential needs—from tuition assistance and additional teachers to studio improvements and new costumes and props.
Since becoming a nonprofit in 2017, Sonoma Conservatory of Dance has awarded over $70,000 in scholarships to deserving students. The studio’s collaboration with the BECA (Ballet en Cada Alumno – Ballet within Every Student) program aims to significantly increase the number of Latinx dancers in the coming years. Many of these students will come from low to moderate-income families and will require tuition assistance to pursue their dreams of dance. “Jasmine absolutely enjoyed summer dance camp. She was thrilled to attend every day and learn more about the art of ballet!” shared Mónica Velázquez, mother of BECA graduate Jasmine.
The evening will also honor community members who have made significant contributions to the arts, including Andrea Valo-Espina (celebrating dance), Diana and Roger Rhoten (applauding Sebastiani Theater), and SCD Alumna Viridiana “Viri” Martínez Brazier (translator/liaison to Spanish-speaking students and their families). The gala will conclude with dancing to the vibrant tunes of Funk Fatale.
The event is chaired by Heather Kearsley Wolf, with Tracy Barreiro brilliantly managing the event logistics. Tickets to the SCD Masquerade Ball Gala starting at $250 and are available at www.scdgala.org or by calling (707) 938-1424. Costumes and masks are encouraged. To purchase tickets or reserve a table for an entire party, visit www.givebutter.com/c/scdgala.
Since 1970, Sonoma Conservatory of Dance has provided high-quality, professional dance instruction for the youth of Sonoma Valley and beyond. The offerings include classical ballet instruction during the regular school year, a summer camp program that incorporates other dance styles, music, and physical arts related to ballet, as well as Spring and Holiday productions to enrich and enhance the students’ growth and enjoyment.
