Children’s Ballet of SA Dancers Receive International Acclaim
The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio Dancers Receive International Acclaim,100+ Competition Placements & Dozens of Scholarships
The latest Olympic games may be over, but San Antonians can still catch jaw-dropping acts of athleticism from young, internationally acclaimed competitors … in dance. That’s right, Vanessa Bessler, Founder and Artistic Director of the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) provides the same rigorous, professional-track training and performance opportunities as so many celebrated athletes receive in their youth. For more than 11 years, Bessler has pioneered world-class physical conditioning, top-tier choreography and access to the wider dance world through CBSA’s professional-level productions. This commitment to quality, precision and artistry has won the Dance Center and CBSA performers national and international recognition.
In the 2025-26 season, these young dancers have achieved historic results, earning more than 100 placements (including 44 top 3) in prestigious national and international competitions including the Youth American Grand Prix, American Dance Competition’s Youth International Ballet Competition, Celebrity Dance Competition and Universal Ballet Competition. Additionally, dancers training with CBSA director Bessler have earned more than 50 invitations and 24 scholarships to study at renowned institutions like Royal Ballet in London, Houston Ballet, John Cranko Schools in Germany and Connecticut, Miami City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Colorado Ballet Academy and Italy’s Nevri Ballet Festival.
This early acclaim helps young dancers gain confidence and further opportunities to pursue their passion. Local dance lovers can catch these rising stars in inspiring CBSA productions on San Antonio’s best stages, complete with dazzling sets and exquisite costumes. It’s the only local company to feature young dancers in lead roles and prestigious solos of professional-calibre performances. “Our productions offer a unique opportunity for families to witness young artists performing with the grace and skill of seasoned professionals—mesmerizing audiences and proving that talent knows no age,” says Bessler. CBSA’s next performance is the classic Don Quixote, staged at Downtown’s Majestic Theatre, May 8-9.
MEET SOME OF CBSA’S RISING STARS…
The following dancers have been selected to participate at this year’s Youth America Grand Prix finals in Houston. The largest student ballet scholarship competition in the world, YAGP brings together the best young dancers from around the globe to represent their home countries and showcase their incredible artistry. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of such an important event.
Inez Dunne, 13
“CBSA taught me how to work hard and value feedback. Ms. Bessler showed me that technique and artistry are equally important—she encourages us to feel our dancing and express it.”
In training with Bessler since age 5, Dunne has already won the coveted 2026 Youth America Grand Prix Award, an accolade only one other San Antonio dancer (also a CBSA alumna) can claim, for receiving the highest scores in both classical and contemporary categories. At just 13 years old, Dunne will make her New York City debut in April, performing at the Youth America Grand Prix’s annual gala at Lincoln Center. Recently, Dunne placed first in both the junior ballet and contemporary division semi-finals of American Dance Competition’s Youth International Ballet Competition. She followed those wins by taking first place in junior competitive classical and junior competitive pas de deux at the regional Universal Ballet Competition in February. Other notable recent wins include second place at YAGP pre-professional and “multiple” platinum and overall awards at Celebrity San Antonio. To further her craft, Dunne has won full scholarships to 2026 summer intensives with Houston Ballet and Miami City Ballet, as well as scholarships and invitations to study with Joffrey Ballet, John Cranko, Berlin State Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Vaganova International, and Youth America Grand Prix workshops in New York City and Italy.
Dunne, who starred as Clara in CBSA’s The Children’s Nutcracker last December, will dance the part of Queen of the Dyads in CBSA’s upcoming Don Quixote.
Gigi Natho, 14
“There’s nothing like the thrill of performing at the Majestic Theatre. This feels like a full circle moment for me. My first performance at the Majestic was in CBSA’s 2018 production of ‘Don Quixote.’ Now I get to dance a dream role as Kitri!”
Natho has been training with CBSA’s Bessler for a decade, and her incredible dedication has already yielded impressive results. Most recently, she won third place in Youth America Grand Prix competitions in Austin and Chicago, in the junior classical and pas de deux categories respectively, and will compete in those categories at the YAGP finals in May. She was also a finalist in pas de deux at YAGP Venice, Italy. A winner of multiple scholarships and invitations to study with prestigious dance academies like University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Houston Ballet Academy and the European School of Ballet, Natho’s summer plans include an intensive with London’s famed Royal Ballet, and further study at the John Cranko School in Connecticut.
Natho has performed leading roles in several CBSA productions, including Cinderella, The Little Mermaid and The Children’s Nutcracker, and is excited to appear next as Kitri in Don Quixote.
Daniela Quiroga, 16
“The training and encouragement that I have received from Ms. Bessler helped give me the confidence to believe that wherever I go, I can succeed.”
Quiroga most recently won first place in the senior classical division of YAGP Chicago, and placed in several categories at YAGP Austin, ADC’s Youth International Ballet Competition in Houston and the regional Universal Ballet Competition. She also participated in YAGP Venice, Italy, where she passed to the final round. A recipient of 10 (and counting!) scholarships to lauded ballet academies from Connecticut to California, as well as invitations to study internationally with the Royal Ballet of London, Dutch National Academy, and Germany’s John Cranko School, the young adult has been accepted to full-year programs with New Ballet of San Jose, Milwaukee Ballet and University of North Carolina School of the Arts, along with acceptance to the Milwaukee Ballet Professional Training Program and New Ballet’s Apprentice Program.
Quiroga will follow up CBSA star turns as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Children’s Nutcracker, Ariel in The Little Mermaid and the title role in Cinderella with an appearance as Kitri in Don Quixote.
Joaquin Marsh, 16
“Ms. Bessler has taught me the value of discipline, focus and consistency. Her mentorship has inspired me to approach every situation with purpose and confidence.”
Marsh recently won first place in senior competitive duo/trio and third place in pas de deux at the regional Universal Ballet Competition, second place in the senior classical division at YAGP Austin and earned multiple platinum solo ballet titles and overall placements at the Celebrity San Antonio dance competition, among many other placements at YAGP, ADC’s Youth International Ballet Competition in Houston and UBC Austin.
Over his six years with CBSA and the Dance Center, Marsh has had the opportunity to perform a number of lead roles for the company’s major productions, including the title role of The Children’s Nutcracker and Prince Charming in Cinderella. He will next be seen performing as the fiery torero Espada in Don Quixote.
Ammon Crandall, 10
“Ms. Bessler really pays attention to everyone, making sure you’re doing the right thing so you don’t get hurt or make bad habits…. She also brings in new choreographers which gives me a chance to try different styles of dance.”
At just 10 years old, Crandall is already making a big impression on the competitive dance community. A recent second-place winner at Youth American Grand Prix’s semi-finals, Crandall was selected to compete at the finals in Houston later this year. His performances have also earned him spots at ADC’s 2026 Youth International Ballet Competition finals in Florida and the Universal Ballet Competition finals in Houston. He has been awarded scholarships to the Colorado Ballet Academy, John Cranko School Summer Intensive in Connecticut, the International Ballet Academy and the acclaimed Vaganova International Program. Crandall will appear in all three acts of Don Quixote and previously performed in The Children’s Nutcracker.
