Artistic STAFF

Leading Central West Ballet since 2004, René Daveluy and Leslie Ann Larson, both professional dancers with long careers, have dedicated themselves to establishing Central West Ballet as a professional California Ballet Company. In 2025 Larson and Daveluy were honored with the Cultural Roots Award from the Stanislaus Arts Council.

Since 2010, Central West Ballet has established its studio and office spaces on Pentecost Drive, North Modesto. Today the company operates with three professional spaces; The Dr. Charles Rolle Studio, The Hugh and Willie Rose Studio and the Liz and Royal Robbins Studio. CWB continues to grow along with the Central West Ballet Academy of Dance, which offers a full curriculum of classes from age 2 to adult, as well as home school options. CWB II was created in 2015 as a training ground with increased performance experience opportunities for serious dance students.

Central West Ballet was established in 1987 by Founding Artistic Director Gretchen Vogelzang and Juline Schmitz. Since its inception, the company has been known for its high quality productions and versatile repertoire which covers classical, contemporary and popular entertainment styles. Today the company performs 5 productions during a yearly season spanning from September to May, including a two week run of The Nutcracker as well as Nutcracker in Jazz, a separate production within the Holiday Season. Additional performances and events include touring, fundraising, grant related events and outreach programs. Under Artistic Director René Daveluy, the company has performed ballets by internationally known choreographers such as Ronn Guidi, Val Caniparoli and George Balanchine as well as essential classical full-lengths such as Swan Lake, Coppelia, Cinderella, Giselle and The Sleeping Beauty. Central West Ballet has also performed Mr. Daveluy's versions of full length ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Legend of Sleepy Hollow Dracula and Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus.

In 2026 Central West Ballet will be presenting Daveluy's new production of The Time Machine, based on the H.G. Wells classic novel.