WESTSIDEDANCEPROJECTis a pre-professional contemporary dance training program founded by Jessie Riley. The program is housed at Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy in Laguna Hills, California and aims to provide a comprehensive foundation for young dancers interested in both commercial and concert dance industries.

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MESSAGE FROM DIRECTORS

We are so thrilled to embark on this new chapter with Westside Dance Project! Troy and I have been actively mentoring and training young dancers for over a decade now, with so many of our students moving on to collegiate programs, reputable schools, and professional jobs. Sharing our knowledge and experiences for this art form is a natural instinct that we both share. Like the original director of Westside, Jessie Riley, we are excited to put down roots in this program, so we can create a professional, nurturing home for many years to come.

 

COMPANY MISSION STATEMENT 

Westside Dance Project is a dance program & performance training company that aims to cultivate versatile,  intelligent and bold young movement artists. The company grounds its movement education practices in values of respect, compassion, and collaboration. Aiming to create an institution built on process, Westside will help students understand the importance of patience and allow them the experience of respecting longevity in their art form. In this fast-paced world, we invite dancers to slow down and connect with their joy and curiosity, allowing them the space they need to make discoveries in their own time.

 

CURRICULUM

Westside’s curriculum is designed to expose the WDP company dancers to age-appropriate training in a concert dance environment. Our contemporary training program works in conjunction with the ballet-focused curriculum at Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy. Through collaborating with choreographers and master teachers, our students will gain an understanding of an internal rhythm that is required of a professional working artist. Through this professional exposure and dynamic focus on contemporary and ballet, we believe our company dancers will have the tool set to embark on a healthy, successful career in the arts.

 

AUDITIONS

Audition date is JULY 27. All dancers who cannot make this audition will need to submit a video audition. These dancers will need to email westsidedanceproject@gmail.com with the following information: name, birthdate, headshot, 2.5-5 minute ballet video (including barre and center work), and a contemporary phrase (can be a solo performance or something from class). Current company members WILL audition for re-admittance into the Company. Both the July 27th and video auditions are available on the site to register! You can find the specific auditions here: July 27th Audition and Video Audition

 

SEASON DATES 

August 25th, 2025 - May 31st, 2026

 

WDP Training 

WDP Company Ages 14+

WDP Juniors/Trainees Ages 11-13

Weekly Program Rehearsal/Training:  

Mondays 7:30-9:00pm contemporary with Cory&Troy

Tuesdays 6:00-9:00pm WDP rehearsals and/or class with Cory&Troy

Wednesdays  7:30-9:00pm modern class with Cory&Troy, additional rehearsals, or master class

Mandatory enrollment in DKCBA Ballet Academy (See DKCBA schedule)

    ***now offering high school ballet program to accommodate different schedules

Weekly private training with Cory&Troy (additional fee for privates)

 

PROGRAM FEES

Monthly Tuition:  Billed from September 1-May 1 ($400/month| 9-payments) $3600 yearly

Weekly contemporary private with WDP faculty: $90/ 30-minutes (+studio rental fee) 

Master Classes (as scheduled) ($30-$70/per hour, per class)

Company photoshoot: TBA (Price TBA) 

Choreography Fees (varies based on group and choreographer)

Competition/Convention Fees (varies) and includes Director/Coaching fee paid with fees

 

GROUP CHOREOGRAPHY

Set between September-December.  Dancers should be available for weekend choreography.  Casting for groups will be at the sole discretion of the Artistic Director and/or choreographers. 

 

IN-HOUSE WORKSHOPS  

These will be 1-2 times throughout the season (based on scheduling) where the dancers are working with different artists, professional dancers and choreographers from multiple contemporary dance companies from around the world. These will consist of two to three days of classes and learning contemporary dance repertoire. These will be mandatory for all WDP company members

 

COMPANY SHOWCASE

We are tentatively planning a company showcase in late January/early February. This will entail our dances created for competition, as well as two longer length pieces set by working choreographers and/or dancers. This will give the WDP company a glimpse into professional length pieces and how to perform on stage up to 20 minutes. Please stay tuned!

 

CONVENTIONS/COMPETITION

As a full company WDP will attend 2-3 regional conventions (subject to change).  WDP does not attend Nationals as a full company. Dancers are permitted to attend “extra” conventions/competitions provided it DOES NOT conflict with a WDP or DKCBA scheduled event, including, classes,  rehearsals, performance(s) or master classes.

 

PARENT Q&A

WDP will hold Parent Q&A’s to meet the Directors, Cory & Troy, on Thursday, July 10th and Thursday, July 24th (immediately following the open classes).

If you have questions, feel free to email us at westsidedanceproject@gmail.com

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