Alumni
We're incredibly proud of our alumni and the paths their dance journeys have taken them — wherever they go, they'll always be part of The Ballet School of San Francisco family.
Mia Snape
Since graduating from USC Kaufman, I have been expanding my professional avenues within dance and performing arts more broadly. In the last month, I got the opportunity to work on a film set for the HBO show The Gilded Age!
USC Kaufman and The Ballet School of San Francisco Faculty
DJ Kim
I am really looking forward to my time in college and learning ballet at a collegiate level but also exploring different dance styles too!
University of California, Irvine
American Contemporary BalletTaylor Berwick
Taylor Berwick, became a student with your studio the very first year it opened and was trained extensively by Julianne through age 16. Taylor went on to dance in Miami City Ballet’s Pre-Professional Program. She then was an apprentice at Ballet Tucson and later joined American Contemporary Ballet in Los Angeles, performing principal roles including the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, 2nd Violin in Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Dark Angel in Balanchine’s Serenade and, the principal role in Balanchine’s Who Cares?. All of this is a credit to the Julianne and the expert teaching, care, and concern for Taylor and the other students.
University of North Carolina, School of the ArtsEmily Yin
I attended the Ballet School of SF from 2024 through 2026 and was in level 5 and Ballet Prelude. This fall I'll be attending UNCSA to get my BFA in Ballet! The Ballet School allowed me to continue training at a pre-professional level while still attending in person high school, as well as guided me through the process of filming and auditioning for colleges. I'm so grateful for the training I've received, the friends I've made, and the opportunities I've been given during my time at the Ballet School!
Hannah Long West
Hannah will complete her education at Walnut Hill School for the Art, a division of Boston Ballet’s pre-professional division..
Walnut Hill - Boston Ballet's Pre-Professional Division
Jamie Low
I am currently a trainee with Richmond Ballet in Virginia. I'm excited to join this program and have the opportunity to perform alongside the professional company.
I have attended The Ballet School of San Francisco from 2019 to 2026, starting from level 3 to level 6. The guidance and support from the school’s teachers have helped me become more confident in my own dancing. I’m forever grateful to this school for providing me with a supportive environment to grow as a dancer and person.
Richmond Ballet
American Contemporary BalletTaylor Berwick
Taylor Berwick, became a student with your studio the very first year it opened and was trained extensively by Julianne through age 16. Taylor went on to dance in Miami City Ballet’s Pre-Professional Program. She then was an apprentice at Ballet Tucson and later joined American Contemporary Ballet in Los Angeles, performing principal roles including the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, 2nd Violin in Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Dark Angel in Balanchine’s Serenade and, the principal role in Balanchine’s Who Cares?. All of this is a credit to the Julianne and the expert teaching, care, and concern for Taylor and the other students.
Pacific Northwest Ballet, New York University, dance festival co-founderLily Peta
Since graduating, I have spent two seasons at Pacific Northwest Ballet's Professional Division, performing in productions including Balanchine's The Nutcracker, The Four Temperaments, Square Dance, and Coppelia, The Sleeping Beauty, Crystal Pite's The Seasons' Canon, Bruce Wells Beauty and the Beast, and originated roles in new choreography by Noah Martzall, Lily Wills, Sam Portillo, and Luca Anaya. Following PNB, I have spent the past year living in London, beginning a BA in English Literature through New York University, while pursuing professional opportunities in dance. I recently co-founded a dance festival in Sweden, alongside Ballet School SF alumni Emma Wheeler, which, following our inaugural season, has been confirmed for three subsequent years.
I attended the Ballet School of SF between the years of 2017 and 2023, and as a full-time student between 2021 and 2023. I participated in Level 6 for two years prior to my first professional opportunities: immensely formative years that instilled in me confidence, self-reliance, and the warm assurance that I always had a dance family to return to. Post graduation, I continue to attribute my accomplishments to the support I received at the Ballet School of SF, that has equipped me in becoming an open-minded, resilient, and curious dancer. I could not more strongly attest to the lasting benefits of ample performance opportunities, a tight-knit social atmosphere, and the mentorship of invested, generous faculty.
Martha Helbekkmo
Since graduating from BSSF Martha is studying at UMKC Conservatory in Kansas City, Missouri majoring in Dance.
UMKC Conservatory in Kansas City, Missouri
Maya Sprague
Born and raised in San Francisco, Maya Sprague began her dance training across the city, studying at Star Dance Studios, ODC, San Francisco Ballet School, and SOTA Dance. She completed her pre-professional training at The Ballet School of San Francisco, where she studied under Kristin Long, Samantha Clark, and Julianne Spratlin.
After, Maya joined and completed San Francisco Ballet School under the direction of Patrick Armand. She went on to dance in the Graduate Program at Boston Ballet and then with the Kansas City Ballet’s Second Company.
Maya has danced professionally with Ballet Rhode Island and the Norwegian National Ballet. Her repertoire includes Helgi Tomasson’s The Nutcracker, Sir Frederick Ashton’s The Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Val Caniparoli’s Jekyll and Hyde, George Balanchine’s Emeralds, Kathleen Breen Combes’ Swan Lake, and Natalia Makarova’s La Bayadère, among others.
Ballet Rhode Island, Norwegian National Ballet, current faculty The Ballet School of San Francisco 
Oakland Ballet and The Ballet School of San Francisco FacultyKatie Choi
Raised in San Francisco, Katie Choi is a recent graduate of UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts. Before college, she trained at the San Francisco Ballet School under the direction of Patrick Armand, where she performed in renowned productions including Helgi Tomasson’s The Nutcracker and Coppélia, as well as Liam Scarlett’s Frankenstein.
At UC Irvine, Katie earned her B.F.A. in Dance Performance with a minor in Urban Studies, performing in numerous faculty and student works. Her most notable appearances include George Balanchine’s Serenade, restaged by Diane Diefenderfer and Zippora Kirtz, and Giselle, restaged by Tong Wang. Recognized for her dedication and artistry, she was awarded the William Gillespie Scholarship for three consecutive years..
New Ballet, San JoseRidgely Slagle
Ridgely will begin her professional career as a trainee with New Ballet of San Jose.
Evangeline Mayer
Evangeline Mayer is currently a trainee at Ballet Idaho under the direction of Anne Mueller and Garret Anderson. Her performance experience includes Anne Mueller and Garret Anderson’s Peter and the Wolf, Peter Anastos’ The Nutcracker, and La Bayadère set by Stephanie Orza. She was also in the debut performances of the following original choreography: Anne Mueller and Garret Anderson’s Cinderella as well as Giselle, Izzy Urbano’s Jocelyn VII, Laura O’Malley’s Key Figures, and Glen Edgerton’s Optimist.
Evangeline was born and raised in San Francisco where she started her training at City Ballet of San Francisco. She continued her studies at The Ballet School of San Francisco from 2017-2025, where she trained under Kristin Long, Julianne Spratlin, Samantha Clark, and Julia Adam.
At The Ballet School of San Francisco she performed in Lambarena set by Kristin Long, Julia Adam’s original piece Fiesta, as well as many more such as Paquita, Pas de Quatre, and Swan Lake.
Ballet IdahoKyla Marcus
Born in San Francisco, Kyla Marcus developed her love for movement and dance at an early age. After dabbling in multiple styles, she began her ballet training at Oakland Ballet School, before attending San Francisco Ballet School. During her four years at SFBS, she had the privilege of performing with the company in Frankenstein, Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. In her senior year of high school, Kyla completed her pre-professional training at The Ballet School of San Francisco; where she trained with Kristin Long, Julianne Spratlin, and Samantha Clark. Kyla spent two seasons as a trainee with Ballet Idaho starting in 2022, where she performed corps de ballet roles in Divertimento No. 15, The Nutcracker, and Swan Lake, as well as original works by Penny Saunders, Joseph Hernandez, Quinn Wharton, Laura O’Malley, and others. Kyla currently dances with Diablo Ballet, where she has performed Donizetti Variations, as well as Julia Adam’s The Little Mermaid and The Nutcracker Suite.
Diablo Ballet and The Ballet School of San Francisco Faculty
Sacramento BalletEmma Lin
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Emma Lin began her ballet training at local schools before participating in competitions including the World Ballet Competition and Youth America Grand Prix, where she received awards and scholarships. She trained for three years at San Francisco Ballet School under the direction of Patrick Armand, followed by pre-professional training at The Ballet School of San Francisco, where she studied under the guidance of Kristin Long, Julianne Spratlin, and Samantha Clark.
During her senior year of high school, Emma moved to Belgium to attend Mosa Ballet School, where she completed her pre-professional training. She then joined Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Graduate Program. Emma is currently a Second Company Trainee with Sacramento Ballet under the direction of Tiit Helimets and Vitor Luiz.
Her notable performance opportunities include Helgi Tomasson’s The Nutcracker and Don Quixote, Alexei Ratmansky’s The Seasons, Val Canaparoli’s Lambarena staged by Kristin Long, La Sylphide staged by Dinna Bjørn, and Durante Verzola’s Symphonie Concertante: A Playful Repartee.
