City Ballet of San Diego

What City Ballet of San Diego does

City Ballet of San Diego (legal entity City Ballet, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit performing arts organization founded in 1993 by Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich, both former dancers with Boston Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet. It operates a dual-function model: a professional ballet company presenting five mainstage productions per season (Serenade, American Icons, The Nutcracker, West Side Story, Swan Lake) plus outdoor summer performances at multiple venues across San Diego County, and a year-round City Ballet School serving students ages 4 through adult at its Pacific Beach studio. Revenue is generated through ticket sales ($39-$79 per performance), quarterly school tuition ($165-$1,400 depending on level), summer programs including a Pre-Professional Summer Intensive ($1,350-$1,650), galas and fundraisers, and contributed income from individual donors and corporate sponsors (Qualcomm, US Bank, Robert Half) plus municipal and federal arts grants (City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, National Endowment for the Arts). The company differentiates through licensed access to the George Balanchine repertoire via The George Balanchine Trust, live orchestral accompaniment under Music Director John Nettles, and original choreography by residents Elizabeth Wistrich and Geoff Gonzalez. Distribution is regional and venue-based, with tickets sold via OvationTix online box office and at partner theater box offices; community engagement is delivered through in-school residencies (Discover a Dancer, Classroom Demonstrations) and the Diversity in Dance Scholarship Program. Leadership includes Artistic Director Steven Wistrich, Associate Artistic Director Ariana Gonzalez, Resident Choreographers Elizabeth Wistrich and Geoff Gonzalez, Rehearsal Director and School Principal Natalie Test, Managing Director Jo Anne Emery, and a volunteer Board of Directors. The organization reports reaching over 20,000 people annually through performances, training, and education programs.

Name

City Ballet of San Diego

Legal name

City Ballet, Inc.

Website

https://cityballet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

City Ballet of San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a professional ballet company and year-round dance school in San Diego, presenting five mainstage productions per season with live orchestra while training students ages 4 through pre-professional level.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts & Dance Education

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Classical Ballet (Full-Length & Repertoire) (MPAGADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH), Contemporary & Modern Dance (MPAGADAB), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Ballet performances
• Dance education
• Ballet training
• Performing arts
• Ballet school

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Performance Ticket Sales: Individual tickets and season packages for five mainstage productions annually, with tickets ranging from $39-$79 for select performances. Season packages offer 10-20% savings over single ticket prices.
2. Dance School Tuition: Year-round ballet instruction for children and adults with quarterly tuition ranging from $165-$1060 per quarter depending on program level. Includes children pre-professional programs, adult classes, and specialized training.
3. Summer Programs: Pre-Professional Summer Intensive ($1,350-$1,650), Summer Dance Camps ($170-$600 per session), Adult Intensive ($750), and Master Teacher Series classes ($35 per class).
4. Annual Galas and Fundraisers: Hollywood Magic annual gala (November 2026) and Ballet en L'air spring celebration with patron tickets at $175-$200, underwriting opportunities, and live/silent auctions.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Community partner sponsorships from Qualcomm, US Bank, Robert Half, and City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, supporting performances and community programs.
6. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations at all levels, with Prima Patron multi-year contributions over $2,500 annually receiving special recognition. Planned giving options include stock donations, IRA charitable distributions, and bequests.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

City Ballet of San Diego operates a professional ballet company and dance school, presenting five mainstage productions per season with live orchestral accompaniment and offering year-round ballet training from Pre-Ballet through Pre-Professional levels, supplemented by summer intensives, camps, adult classes, community outreach, and scholarship programs. The organization reaches over 20,000 people annually across San Diego County.

Product overview

City Ballet of San Diego operates as a dual-function performing arts organization combining a professional ballet company with a comprehensive dance school. The professional company presents five major productions per season (SERENADE, AMERICAN ICONS, THE NUTCRACKER, WEST SIDE STORY, SWAN LAKE) featuring works by George Balanchine, resident choreographers Elizabeth Wistrich and Geoffrey Gonzalez, and guest artists. The City Ballet School provides year-round training from Pre-Ballet through Pre-Professional levels for students ages 4 through adult, supplemented by Summer Programs including the Pre-Professional Summer Intensive, Summer Dance Camps, Adult Intensive, and Master Teacher Series. Community engagement encompasses outreach programs (Discover a Dancer, Classroom Demonstrations, A Book and a Ballerina), the Diversity In Dance Scholarship Program, and annual fundraising events (Hollywood Magic Gala, Ballet en L'air). The organization reaches over 20,000 people annually through performances and training programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Ballet Company Performances (Season 2026/27) Professional ballet performances presented live with the City Ballet Orchestra, featuring classical works (Swan Lake, The Nutcracker), George Balanchine repertoire (Serenade, Concerto Barocco, Rubies), and original choreography by resident choreographers Elizabeth Wistrich and Geoff Gonzalez. Performances are held at five venues across San Diego County for ticket-buying audiences.
• City Ballet School (Year-Round Programs) Year-round ballet instruction for children ages 4+, pre-professional students, and adults. Programs include Pre/Kinder Ballet, Ballet 1-5, Pre-Professional Ballet 6, and Studio Company, taught by City Ballet artistic staff and ABT Certified Teacher Natalie Test. Quarterly tuition ranges from $165 to $1,400 depending on program level.
• Pre-Professional Summer Intensive Three-week intensive ballet training for intermediate and advanced pre-professional students ages 11-24, including ballet technique, pointe, variations, Pilates, jazz, and contemporary classes. Priced $1,350 (Intermediate I) and $1,650 (Intermediate II/Advanced) with $25 audition fee and $400 non-refundable deposit.
• Summer Dance Camps Two 2-week summer dance camp sessions for children ages 4 through young adults, including ballet technique, creative dance, turns & allegro, jazz, and workshops. Pricing ranges from $170 to $600 per session with 10% early bird discount for payment in full by June 1.
• Adult Intensive Program Three-week summer intensive designed for adults with a passion for ballet, offered at Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced levels for $750. Includes all classes, rehearsals, performance, video link, and four complementary tickets.
• Master Teacher Series Summer 2026 master class series featuring world-renowned ballet artists, open to Southern California ballet students. Classes taught by guest instructors including New York City Ballet Principal Megan Fairchild, Gillian Murphy, and Daniel Ulbricht.
• Annual School Production Annual spring production showcasing student progress from Pre-Ballet through Pre-Professional levels, with specially choreographed ballets by Elizabeth Wistrich and school staff performed at Joan B Kroc Theater. Includes $300 costume and performance fee.
• The Nutcracker Community Participation Annual community participation production of The Nutcracker at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, open to young dancers ages 6-18 through auditions. Features live orchestra and Tommy Award-winning production design with $250 performance fee (or $150 with parent volunteer backstage).
• Community Outreach Programs Performing arts education programs delivered to San Diego schools and community centers, including 'Discover a Dancer' 30-week in-school residency ($4,000 for up to 20 students), 30-minute Classroom Demonstrations ($100-$200), 'A Book and a Ballerina' library reading program (free), and special in-theater Nutcracker school matinees ($3-$6/student).
• Hollywood Magic Gala Annual fundraising gala supporting world-class ballet performances, top-tier education programs, and community outreach, featuring performances, silent auction, live auction, dinner, and patron tickets at $175-$200 plus underwriting opportunities.
• Ballet en L'air Annual spring fundraising celebration featuring ballet performances by City Ballet Dance Artists, live music, silent and live auctions, and gourmet food and libations. Proceeds support stage productions and education outreach programs, with patron tickets at $175-$200.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches over 20,000 people annually through performances, training, and education programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• QualcommcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason sponsor providing financial support for performances and community programs. Qualcomm is a major technology company headquartered in San Diego with long-term commitment to supporting San Diego arts organizations.
• US BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason sponsor providing financial support for ballet performances and education programs. US Bank is a national financial institution with regional presence in San Diego.
• Robert HalfminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner sponsor supporting City Ballet's performances and community outreach initiatives.
• The George Balanchine TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensing relationship enabling City Ballet to present George Balanchine ballets including Serenade, Concerto Barocco, Rubies, and other landmark works. Provides authentic choreography and licensing for Balanchine repertoire.
• New York City BalletcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough connection with The George Balanchine Trust and New York City Ballet, City Ballet of San Diego provides 'a little bit of New York City' in San Diego with access to world-class ballet repertoire.
• California Center for the Arts, EscondidocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPerformance venue partner hosting The Nutcracker and West Side Story productions. Provides theater facilities, production support, and box office services for City Ballet performances.
• Epstein Family Amphitheater (UCSD)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPerformance venue partner hosting Serenade and Ballet Under the Stars. UC San Diego campus venue for outdoor summer performance by Summer Intensive students.
• Balboa TheatreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHistoric downtown San Diego theater venue for American Icons production. Part of San Diego Theatres facilities.
• California Dreams HostelminorOthersRecommended housing option for out-of-town Summer Intensive students ages 18+. Located at 743 Emerald St, Pacific Beach, within walking distance to City Ballet studios.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Arizona Ballet: Regional ballet company of comparable size and structure. Steven Wistrich previously served as Artistic Director, making the historical and operational connection unusually direct. Both companies present a mix of classical and contemporary programming and operate affiliated schools.
• Atlanta Ballet: Mid-large regional ballet with a professional company and academy. Associate Artistic Director Ariana Gonzalez danced with Atlanta Ballet, providing a direct talent-flow link. Comparable model combining mainstage productions with community education and a training school.
• Colorado Ballet: Regional ballet company and academy of similar scale. Rehearsal Director/School Principal Natalie Test previously danced with Colorado Ballet's second company. Both organizations run a professional company, a multi-level school, and community outreach programs.
• Sacramento Ballet: California-based regional ballet operating a professional company and school. Similar geography and demographic profile, with comparable season structure (mixed classical and contemporary programming) and school-based talent pipeline.
• Nashville Ballet: Mid-size US regional ballet with professional company and associated school. Comparable operating model combining classical mainstage productions, summer programming, and community outreach in a non-coastal metro.
• Oregon Ballet Theatre: Pacific/Western US regional ballet with professional company and school. Similar seasonal programming mix and donor-supported structure. Same broad competitive set for dancers, choreographers, and corporate sponsors.
• Tulsa Ballet: Mid-size regional ballet company widely regarded as a model for artistic quality at this scale. Comparable in headcount, season structure, and reliance on corporate/foundation support; serves as a benchmark for operational efficiency among US regional companies.
• Kansas City Ballet: Regional ballet company and school of comparable size and structure. Similar earned/contributed revenue mix and educational programming; competes in the same national pool of mid-size companies for dancers and choreographers.
• San Diego Ballet: Smaller, separately operated ballet company also based in San Diego. While smaller in scale, both organizations draw on the same local donor base, corporate sponsors, and audience pool, making them direct competitors for San Diego ballet patrons.

Broad incumbents

• Boston Ballet: One of the largest and most prestigious US ballet companies, and the institution where founders Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich both trained and performed. Functions as both a feeder (alumni/artist pipeline) and a talent competitor; offers overlapping repertoire at a much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CityBalletSD
• YouTubeyoutube.com/cityballetofsandiego
• Facebookfacebook.com/CityBalletSD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/city-ballet-of-san-diego
• Instagraminstagram.com/cityballetofsandiego

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about City Ballet of San Diego