Children’s Ballet of SA Won a Staggering 19 Awards Including Coveted 2026 Youth Grand Prix Award
San Antonio’s Brightest Young Dancers Reach New Heights with The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio
San Antonio is known for its vibrant arts scene, studded with stars like legendary comedian Carol Burnett, country music “King” George Strait and groundbreaking director Robert Rodriguez, who all called the city home before hitting the big time. Now the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is nurturing the next wave of prima ballerinas, and shining an international spotlight on a city long overlooked by the dance world.
Artistic Director and Prima Ballerina Vanessa Bessler founded the company in 2014, literally setting the stage for young dancers to gain professional-level performance experience in a region with few such opportunities. In just over 10 years since founding the company and its associated school, the Dance Center of San Antonio, Bessler has been named Youth America Grand Prix’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year for nine consecutive years, and the Dance Center is ranked among the top 2.5 percent of ballet institutions in the nation, one of only two Texas-based institutions to crack the top 25 schools. Most recently, the Dance Center of San Antonio was recognized as an “Outstanding School” by Youth America Grand Prix, the only local dance school to ever win the award. At the same competition, considered one of the most prestigious showcases for young dancers in America, CBSA dancers won a staggering 19 awards.
This early acclaim helps young dancers gain confidence and further opportunities to pursue their passion. Guided by their experiences learning from Bessler and team at the Dance Center, CBSA artists have accepted scholarships and invitations to prestigious ballet institutions like the John Cranko School, the official school of Stuttgart Ballet in Germany, Royal Ballet School in London, and the School of American Ballet in New York City, to name a few.
Indeed, with Bessler’s vision and expertise cultivating local talent, San Antonio now has a thriving dance scene to inspire young performers and delight ballet buffs of all ages. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio prides itself on the high production value of each public performance, which combines acclaimed choreography with exquisite sets and costumes that dazzle on the city’s best stages. And it’s the only local company to feature dancers in lead roles and prestigious solos with excellence in execution. “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.
A great way to see CBSA’s talent and mastery on display is right around the corner, as the company stages its annual holiday favorite, The Children’s Nutcracker, in December at the gorgeous Lila Cockrell theatre right along the Riverwalk. While other professional companies include children in minor roles in their Nutcracker productions, CBSA is the only company in the region committed to casting world class artists, who also happen to be kids, in the memorable solos that the ballet is known for, such as the Nutcracker prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy. And this year, The Children’s Nutcracker has the distinction of being produced on the largest stage of any local performances of the Christmastime classic. Below, we highlight some of this year’s remarkably talented performers displaying their skills in this professional-calibre production.
MEET SOME OF CBSA’S RISING STARS…
Inez Dunne, 12
“CBSA taught me how to work hard and value feedback, which really helped me keep up with the fast-paced teachers at Houston Ballet’s Summer Intensive. Mrs. Bessler showed me that technique and artistry are equally important—she encourages us to feel our dancing and express it.”
In any other ballet company, Dunne would need to wait years before even having the opportunity to audition. But with CBSA and the Dance Center of San Antonio, the preteen can already boast more than half a decade of experience, including winning the coveted 2026 Youth Grand Prix Award, an accolade only one other San Antonio dancer (and a CBSA alumna) can claim. She takes the stage as Clara in this year’s performance of The Children’s Nutcracker, one of many star turns for the dynamic Dunne, who has already wowed the Houston Ballet’s summer intensive (for which she won a scholarship and was twice featured in the final performances) and been a multi-year finalist at the nation’s most competitive dance competitions. Her future will likely only get brighter in 2026, as she chooses among prestigious scholarships for further summer training with ballet companies in Houston, Miami, Denver and Berlin.
Gigi Notho, 13
“It’s impossible to be around Mrs. Bessler and not grow to love ballet. Her excitement is contagious, and her attention to detail makes me want to do my very best at every show.”
Notho has been training with the Dance Center of San Antonio since the beginning, and her incredible dedication has already yielded impressive results. Dancing the part of Clara at this year’s The Children’s Nutcracker, Notho has recently received multiple scholarships and invitations to study at esteemed ballet institutions like Ballet West, Milwaukee Ballet, the Houston Ballet Academy, the John Cranko School and the Royal Ballet of London. Most recently, she took home third place in the 2026 Youth America Grand Prix competition. The ambitious, talented youngster’s future summer plans include an intensive with the Royal Ballet and many more ballet opportunities.
Charlotte Reese, 14
“Being in CBSA has given me on-stage experience, training structure, and all-around support I need to be a professional dancer one day.”
After a summer spent in the state-of-the-art facilities at Colorado Ballet Academy’s Summer Intensive, Reese so impressed the faculty that she received an invitation to study year-round at the Academy, where she can dance alongside and learn from professionals with the lauded Colorado Ballet company. But first, she’ll warm locals’ hearts with her performance as the Arabian lead in The Children’s Nutcracker. Previously, she enchanted audiences as the young Cinderella in CBSA’s 2024 production of the classic fairytale.
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.”
Daniela Quiroga returns to The Children’s Nutcracker as the Sugar Plum Fairy, a famed role in most Nutcracker ballets. This “plum” part seems appropriate for Quiroga, a rising CBSA star who already demonstrates international appeal with opportunities to study at the Royal Ballet in London and an upcoming winter workshop at the acclaimed John Cranko School in Stuttgart, Germany. Quiroga placed among the top 12 in the 2026 Youth America Grand Prix’s Classical Dance category. Previously, Quiroga attended the John Cranko School’s New York Summer Intensive, and has placed in elite ballet competitions including Celebrity Dance Competition (first place overall), Youth America Grand Prix and Universal Ballet Competition’s semi-finals. Her exceptional talent and dedication has also won her an invitation to study with the Philadelphia Ballet year-round and a scholarship to the Oklahoma City Ballet’s Summer Intensive.
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.”
Joining Quiroga in Germany for the exclusive winter workshop at John Cranko School’s Stuttgart headquarters is Joaquin Marsh, also 16. Most recently, Marsh attended the John Cranko School’s New York Summer Intensive on scholarship and just months later won second place in Youth America Grand Prix’s classical category and third in ensemble. 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. This year, Marsh returns as the Nutcracker, and can also be seen dancing the Arabian pas de deux with Reese as well as other lead roles.
The above are just a selection of the talented youth that hone their craft at the Dance Center of San Antonio and display their mastery onstage with CBSA. Dancing the part of the Ice Queen this year is Charlotte Landrum, who has studied with the famed Royal Ballet (London) and Houston Ballet, and placed among the top 12 in the 2026 Youth America Grand Prix’s Classical Dance category. Other award-winning dancers taking the stage include: Amon Crandall (10 year old, 2nd place YAGP classical), Eva San Antonio (9 year old, top 12 YAGP classical), Nayoon Kim (12 year old, top 12 YAGP contemporary), Tristan Lyons (14, top 12 YAGP classical), and Jaida Soleman (16, top 12 YAGP classical).
… AND CATCH THEM ON A HOMETOWN STAGE
Experiences like these don’t just happen. They come from hard work, grit and determination, combined with drive, talent, passion and humility. Bessler works hard to instill these values in all her dancers to help them achieve their dreams. Their reward is the thrill of performing in professional-calibre productions on the best stages in San Antonio, and the glow of international recognition, cherished gateways to professional dance careers not otherwise available in the region.
“Our mission is to give them more than the ability to dance, we are preparing them for an extraordinary life,” explains Bessler. See these extraordinarily talented, hardworking young dancers in person at this year’s production of The Children’s Nutcracker, December 12 through 14, at the Lila Cockrell Theatre.
About the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio
The award-winning Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is an authentic, professional-level ballet company that produces professionally staged productions showcasing San Antonio’s most talented children. Dancers are selected by invitation or audition. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio is a nonprofit organization 501(c)3. For more information, visit childrensballetofsanantonio.org or call 210-462-7660.
Mission: The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) seeks to inspire the pursuit of excellence and prepare children for productive and creative lives through dance by offering extensive training and performance opportunities for talented children from all backgrounds.
