DSPA debuts Maricopa’s first ballet company

Desert Sun Performing Arts has created Maricopa’s first professional ballet company, the Pearls. 

Every great achievement begins with a single step and on a small scale so, initially, the Pearls will be a children’s ballet core group, a group of dancers dedicated to ballet and its history. The group will learn about the history, variations and choreography of this art from actual ballets.

In order to make it more affordable for parents and families, the children will be fundraising to have professional tutus and costumes made for them. The costumes will remain the property of DSPA so, hopefully, in years to come the collection will be large enough to put on full-length ballets for the city of Maricopa. 

In November DSPA will be hosting a tea party with owner Ceylan Gentilella reading the story of the “Nutcracker” and the Pearls performing excerpts from the it, such as “Arabian,” “Chinese” and “Marzipan.” Addison Bennett will portray Clara, Christian Del Bianco will be the Nutcracker and Alexa Martinez has been cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Tea and finger sandwiches will also be served. Look for more details in September

DSPA is seeking sponsors who will receive recognition in DSPA programs, complimentary show tickets and much more. The funds will go for scholarships to gifted dancers and those in financial need.
 
The Pearls will be touring local elementary schools and preschools, performing pieces from “Peter and the Wolf,” excerpts from ballets and some of DSPA’s own choreography to stories like “Angelina Ballerina.”

If you are interested in becoming a ballet company sponsor or having the DSPA Pearls perform at your function, contact Gentilella at 520-483-8915 or email [email protected].

Photo by Joyce Hollis