BALLET WEST DANCER VICTOR GALEANA MAKES HISTORY
Victor Galeana is making history at Ballet West. The Salt Lake City native has been promoted from Ballet West II to the main company as a Corps Artist for the 2025-26 season, becoming the first dancer to progress from Ballet West's elementary school I CAN DO program to the professional company.
Galeana's remarkable journey began 10 years ago as a fifth grader at Midvalley Elementary, where he first experienced ballet through Ballet West's I CAN DO program. What started as weekly dance classes that felt like recess to him would become the foundation for a professional career.
"I CAN DO was an immersive experience that aligned with my values of health and exercise and was a pivotal moment in helping me determine what kind of person I wanted to be in my teen years," said Galeana, reflecting on the program that sparked his passion for dance.
Following his participation in I CAN DO, Galeana began training at the Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy in 2013, advanced to the level of Trainee in 2020, joined Ballet West II in 2022, and was recently invited to Ballet West's main company as a Corps Artist.
A Program That Transforms Lives Across Utah
Galeana's success story exemplifies the transformative power of Ballet West's I CAN DO program (Inspiring Children About Not Dropping Out). This six-month dance program for fifth graders builds discipline, confidence, and teamwork skills while introducing students to ballet fundamentals.
In addition to I CAN DO, Ballet West’s educational initiatives include Ballet West for Children (lecture-demonstration performances in elementary schools) and Student In-Theater Presentations (professional ballet performances designed for students with educational components aligned with Utah State Core Curriculum).
During the 2024-25 school year, Ballet West's comprehensive education programs served 152,719 students and teachers across Utah, reaching:
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439 schools across the state
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36 school districts
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50 charter schools
Building Tomorrow's Artists and Audiences
Since 1963, Ballet West has been committed to nurturing the next generation of ballet artists and audiences through impactful education programs. These initiatives serve as gateways to arts learning, connecting students to movement, storytelling, culture, and creativity while supporting Utah State Board of Education standards.
Students who demonstrate continued interest in dance, like Galeana, can receive scholarships to continue their training at Ballet West Academy, creating a clear pathway from elementary exposure to professional opportunity.