Segerstrom center to be home to American Ballet Theatre school

Young aspiring dancers will have a new opportunity to hone their skills next fall, as the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and American Ballet Theatre have announced the formation of the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School.

The school, at the arts center at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, will open in September 2015 and offer nine class levels open to students ages 3 to 14. Registration for the classes, which will run 36 weeks annually, began Wednesday.

The school’s namesake, Gillespie, is a Segerstrom donor and an American Ballet Theatre board member since 1999.

“Bill Gillespie is a tremendous champion for dance,” Segerstrom President Terry Dwyer said in a news release. “His generosity enables two of his beloved arts organizations to make a significant and lasting impact on the world of dance and our vibrant and diverse community. It is hard to imagine a more passionate supporter of dance and the training of its next generation of great talents.”

For more information, call (714) 556-2787 or visit scfta.org/home/Content/ContentDisplay.aspx?NavID=1200.

—Michael Miller