The Western Ballet Youth Program methodology is derived from the experiences of Artistic Director Alexi Zubiria’s distinguished career as a principal dancer and guest artist with some of the most renowned ballet companies in Europe, the USA and South America. Zubiria’s core ballet methodology, as most methodologies throughout the world, evolved from the earlier Russian Vaganova method, to the newer more “open” classical ballet school and style that all premier dancers in the world are using today. The newer school produces longer, more flexible and resilient bodies, needed to endure the current higher technical and artistic demands of the world class stage without any injuries.] Founded in 1976, Western Ballet makes the performing art of classical ballet accessible to the general public. A non-profit institution, Western Ballet has an extensive youth program for children and pre-professional teenagers, including the new Nina Novak Ballet Scholarships for underprivileged children, and the largest selection of adult classes in the San Francisco Peninsula and South Bay.