Ballet Boys Surge: From Lone Star to 40!

At the Westside School of Ballet in Santa Monica, Calif., a remarkable transformation is underway thanks to instructor Adrian Blake Mitchell. Mitchell, once the lone boy in his own ballet classes 17 years ago, has spearheaded a significant increase in male enrollment. In 2022, there were only four boys in the program; by now, that number has surged to 40.

This growth is attributed to Mitchell's dedication to rigorous technique and high standards, as noted by Melissa Barak, artistic director of Los Angeles Ballet. His success is particularly noteworthy given his recent career as a professional ballet dancer with the Mikhailovsky Ballet in Russia, a role he held just four years prior to his teaching tenure. The impact of his instruction is already evident, with four of his original students having been accepted into top ballet schools or professional companies.