Finding Home on Stage
Soloist Victoria Vassos is one of the many dancers who embody the success of Ballet West’s artistic vision. But her journey began long before she arrived in Salt Lake City. At age 14, the half-Swiss, half-Greek dancer left her hometown and moved to Germany to train full-time at Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin. The transition meant learning a completely new language while studying extra hours to catch up to her counterparts.
“It was a hardship getting adjusted to the number of hours I had to train because I wasn’t used to it and I was much weaker than my classmates, who had been in that academy since they were nine years old,” Vassos recalls. “And because I had to learn German, it was a lot of work.”
Her efforts paid off when she qualified for the Youth American Grand Prix NYC Finals in 2016, placing in the Top 12. That success opened the door to Ballet West. Vassos joined Ballet West Academy as a Trainee in 2016, moved to Ballet West II in 2017, was promoted to the main company in 2019, and achieved Soloist status in 2023.
Each step built on the foundation laid before, with Ballet West II serving as the crucial bridge between student and professional. Under the direction of Calvin Kitten, Vassos developed not just technical prowess but the professional work ethic and adaptability essential for company life.
“The challenges I had to overcome when I moved away from home helped me become a more mature and life-ready person, Vassos reflects. “Now, I face obstacles with the confidence that I have overcome something hard before, so I tell myself that I can do it again.”
Ballet has given her more than a career. “I think ballet has taught me so much, not just about the steps, but taught me about discipline, perseverance, and self-respect,” she says. “Ballet has set my values in life and once I’m done with my career, those values are still going to shape my life.”
“When she isn’t training at Ballet West, Vassos pursues interests that complement her dance career. She loves drawing, spending time in nature and continuing her education in different movement techniques.
In 2022 she completed a master’s degree in Exercise Science from Concordia University and since 2023 Vassos is expanding her qualifications as a certified trainer in the Gyrotonic® Method, a movement system that increases range of motion while improving strength and movement efficiency.