LAMORINDA WEEKLY | 'Cinderella's Ball' ballet in Orinda


Front row, from left: Joanna Yu, Arya Samanta, Elise Nguyen, Ella Pierce, Emma Silberschmidt, Chloe Sabo-Nichols, Ava Allaire, Rene Silberschmidt, Phoebe Higgens, Maya Elkind, Sadie Eldind, and Emily Charo; back row: Francis Giquinto (red flower in hair), Amy Dai, Gemma Leach, Bailey Brothers, and Phoebe Schultz. Photo provided

"Cinderella's Ball," the spring production of the Orinda Ballet School, will be performed at the Orinda Library Auditorium on May 20-22. For the first time since the pandemic, the ballet will be performed without wearing masks, and the student dancers are very excited. It has been 10 years since the school produced and performed "Cinderella." Gemma Leach, an advanced student, will dance the role of Cinderella and a professional male guest artist will perform the role of the prince.

The last time the school performed "Cinderella" in 2012, Leach was 6 years old. Now, after 10 years of dedicated hard work, she is performing in the lead role. Male guest artist Vincent Chavez has been working in Bay Area local dance companies for more than 10 years as well as teaching in various cities around the country.

The show will also include contemporary dances as openers. Tickets are available online through Eventbright.com. Tickets are $25 for adults and at the door, children's tickets are $23.

The three performances will be Friday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, May 21 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 22 at 2 p.m.

Artistic Director Patricia Tomlinson is classically trained professional dancer and a graduate of Saint Mary's College in Moraga.