Peninsula Youth Ballet Presents 16th Annual BRAVO

Online, June 3, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Once again, the Peninsula Youth Ballet (PYB) Company's artistic director, Ayako Takahashi, uses her skills to combine the amazing talents of professional and promising young dancers as they present stunning performances at the 16th annual BRAVO, June 23rd at 2:00 pm.

Director Ayako Takahashi will present 44 of her students to perform timeless ballet masterpieces, including excerpts from "La Fille Mal Gardee," "Don Quixote," and "The Awakening of Flora." Showcasing the "stars of today" and the "stars of tomorrow," the gala combines the forces of aspiring young dancers, with internationally recognized professionals, including Maykel Solas, Akira Takahashi and Amy Briones from Ballet San Jose. Also performing are Damon Mahoney and Mariko Takahashi from Menlowe Ballet. Both Amy and Mariko are alums of Ayako School of Ballet and help motivate students who choose to take a professional track in their dance studies.

"Our students have been completely motivated to give it their all, especially since they are performing with seasoned professionals," said Ayako Takahashi, the director of Ayako School of Ballet and artistic director of Peninsula Youth Ballet. "BRAVO is going to be a beautiful showcase from start to finish."

These students have been working hard at Ayako School of Ballet, a nationally recognized studio in Belmont filled with warmth and uniqueness within the culture. Takahashi was one of Japan's top-notch dancers who brought her talent and love for dance to the U.S. in 1976. ASB's alumni include Sascha Radetsky (American Ballet Theatre), Rika Onizuka (Smuin Ballet) Yukie Fujimoto (ODC), Mariko Takahashi (Oakland Ballet and Menlowe Ballet) and Amy Briones (Ballet San Jose), amongst others. Two graduating seniors, Mariko Ishikawa and Heather Ngai will showcase what they have learned and mastered under Ayako's tutelage as they perform a pas de deux with guest professional artists.

Who: Peninsula Youth Ballet
What: 16th Annual BRAVO
When: Saturday, June 23 at 2:00 matinee (one time only)
Where: Bayside Performing Arts Center (2025 Kehoe Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403)
Tickets: Call 650-286-0241 or email: [email protected]
Adults: $25 / Children (12 & under) & Seniors (62 & up): $20 / Students: $18

About PYB: The Peninsula Youth Ballet was founded in 1979. It is a non-profit organization, whose goals are to bring attention to young dancers and to promote an interest in the art of ballet and dance within the local community. Under Ayako Takahashi's direction, PYB has provided dancers the opportunity to improve their dance skills through professional level preparation and presentation of classical and contemporary works. Her dancers have won scholarships to the most prestigious ballet schools throughout the world, such as Ballet West, San Francisco Ballet, School of American Ballet, & Zurich University of the Arts Dance Academy. To learn more about PYB, call (650) 631-3767 or visit the company's website at www.pyb.org.

Media contact: Frances Larose, [email protected] or call 650.548.6700