BALLET WEST’S 5TH ANNUAL SPRING SOIREE RAISES $478,000 FOR ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIPS
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Ballet West's 5th Annual Spring Soiree exceeded fundraising records this weekend, raising $478,000 to support scholarships for students at the Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy. The sold-out gala, chaired by Kimberly Heglar, featured dinner on the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre stage with live performances by company and academy dancers just inches away from the dining tables.
Allison Holker, a Utah native known for her appearances on "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars," served as the emcee for the evening. Holker, who recently became a New York Times Best Selling author with the release of her memoir "This Far" in February 2025, was joined by Ballet West leadership, board members, and attendees from across the country committed to ensuring that all young dancers have access to world-class ballet training regardless of financial circumstances. Ballet West extends a heartfelt thank you to co-chairs Chase Dreyfous Jr., Samantha Gellert, Bronwyn Newport, and David Parkinson, along with committee members Allison Holker, Molly Cooper Jones, Helle LeRette, Athelia Woolley LeSueur, Mara Mazdzer, and Katie Tozer.
From Yellow Leotards to Center Stage: A Scholarship Success Story
The evening featured the inspiring journey of Corps Artist Jonas Malinka-Thompson, whose path from Academy student to professional dancer highlights the transformative power of scholarship support.
"I started ballet as a little buttercup in yellow leotards here at the academy after my parents saw that I moved around a lot," shared Malinka-Thompson. "When I was on the soccer team in kindergarten, while the other kids were chasing the ball, I was off to the side just flailing my arms around, so they put me in a dance class."
As his training intensified and classes became more frequent, the financial burden increased significantly. "It became clear to my parents that a ballet education was not something we would be able to afford in the long run," Malinka-Thompson explained. "I was lucky enough to be awarded scholarships throughout my training. Otherwise, I would have had to give up dancing a long time ago, and I wouldn't be where I am today."
Malinka-Thompson's journey with Ballet West began as a young Academy student, continued through Ballet West II in 2021, and culminated with his promotion to the main company in 2023. He has since performed lead roles, including Renfield in Dracula and as Stepsister in Cinderella, earning acclaim for his ability to fully embody characters and entertain audiences.
"Dance has really become part of my identity as a person," Malinka-Thompson reflected. "It has shaped me in and out of the studio, and I truly don't know who I would be today without it. Dance is where I find joy, passion, and purpose in life."
Building the Next Generation of Ballet Artists
The Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy has grown to become one of the largest ballet academies in the country, serving over 1,000 students annually across four locations. Currently, 90% of Ballet West's main company comes from Ballet West II, and nearly 50% of company members began at the Ballet West Academy.
"I made a conscious decision that we needed to start building dancers from the Academy," said Adam Sklute, Ballet West's Artistic Director. "We set our sights on specific young kids in the school who showed promise and strong potential, while making a very concerted effort to start recruiting older kids from ballet competitions around the world."
Michael Scolamiero, Executive Director of Ballet West, emphasized the organization's commitment to youth development: "Children have always been at the heart of Ballet West. Mr. C, Ballet West's founder and first artistic director, knew that with everything the ballet did, children should be at the heart of it."
Impact of Scholarship Support
For international students like Luka Sanchez, who was recruited from Mexico during a Summer Intensive audition in Florida, scholarship support is crucial. "It means almost everything," he explained. "I'm far from my culture and away from all that I know, so there is a lot of anxiety that fills my thinking. Now, I'm able to not worry about money and I can just focus on what I came here to do, doing what I love – rehearsing in the studio and performing."
Donor Kent Defiore shared his motivation for providing scholarship funds: "We like to be able to take some of the anxiety away from both the teachers and the dancer, who may not be sure how long they can stay or know what the future holds in terms of financial support."
This year, Ballet West will provide $251,496 in scholarships and financial aid to 175 students across its programs, ensuring that talented dancers can pursue their passion regardless of financial circumstances.
PRESS INQUIRIES Dana Rimington, Director of Communications and Publications drimington@balletwest.org | 801-869-6918
ABOUT BALLET WEST
BALLET WEST, one of America’s leading ballet companies, under the artistic direction of Adam Sklute, has earned an international reputation for artistic innovation and excellence since its founding in 1963. For over 60 years, the Salt Lake City-based Company has entertained and excited audiences in Utah and worldwide by presenting great classical ballets, historical masterpieces, including America’s First Nutcracker, and new cutting-edge creations with only the highest artistic and professional standards. The Company continues to build future ballet artists and audiences by providing classical ballet training through the Frederick Q. Lawson Ballet West Academy and its four campuses and more than 1,000 students. Ballet West also operates the largest outreach and education programs in the country which reaches over 148,000 children and adults throughout Utah and the Intermountain Region every year. The 24/25 Season is generously sponsored by Salt Lake Zoo, Arts & Parks, George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, and Intermountain Health.