Balletcenter Cebu Returns to the Stage with “Balletcenter Spectacular: Best of the Movies”
- Sugbo Highlights
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Cebu City, Philippines — Balletcenter Cebu proudly announces its upcoming production, “Balletcenter Spectacular: Best of the Movies,” to be held on June 28 and 29, 2025 at CenterStage, SM Seaside City Cebu. A special press conference was held on June 25, 2025 at Brique, Ayala Center Cebu to officially launch the production and share exciting developments from Cebu’s longest-running classical ballet school.
The event also marks a pivotal moment in the Balletcenter’s journey — the announcement of its studio reconstruction after the devastating fire in May 2024, which destroyed decades’ worth of costumes, sets, and history. Despite the tragedy, the school has continued to train dancers across Cebu and is now moving forward with renewed hope and resilience.
“The show is a celebration of our students’ dedication and a love letter to film and dance,” says Ana Michelle Kesner, Executive Director of Balletcenter Cebu. “More than that, it’s a symbol of how the arts can recover, rebuild, and continue to inspire.”
“Balletcenter Spectacular: Best of the Movies” will feature reimagined ballet interpretations of beloved movie soundtracks and cinematic moments, showcasing over 250 young dancers, including scholarship recipients and advanced students.
The press conference highlighted several announcements, including the full show lineup and featured performers, as well as insights from Balletcenter’s Executive Director Ana Michelle Kesner and Ballet Master Mhynard Etis (Sir M). Organizers also shared updates on the new Balletcenter studio, which is set to reopen in November 2025, and discussed partnership opportunities with local sponsors and supporters. Members of the media were also granted exclusive access to the show’s creative team, rehearsal footage, and performance teasers.
About Balletcenter Cebu
Founded in 1951, Balletcenter Cebu is the city's premier ballet training institution, renowned for producing world-class dancers and fostering a deep appreciation for classical dance. With a legacy that traces back to 1951 under the pioneering vision of Madame Fe Sala Villarica, Balletcenter has remained a cornerstone of Cebu’s cultural heritage.
At the heart of Balletcenter’s excellence are its esteemed Co-Artistic Directors: Nicolas “Tito Nic” Pacaña and Gregory Aaron.
Tito Nic, a true Cebuano ballet legend (Garbo sa Sugbu and Sugbuhanong Bahandi Awardee), trained at Balletcenter before launching an international career as a Principal Dancer with the Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, and Honolulu City Ballet. He is best known for his unforgettable moment stepping in for Mikhail Baryshnikov in Don Quixote with only four hours’ notice. Today, he continues to inspire and mentor young dancers in Cebu, bringing world-class expertise to every class.
Gregory Aaron, affectionately known as Mr. A, brings with him a wealth of global experience, having danced with The Hartford Ballet, toured with Rudolf Nureyev and The Boston Ballet, and starred as the Nutcracker Prince in James Canfield’s The Nutcracker with Pacific Ballet Theatre. As a leader and visionary, he co-directed the Atlanta Festival Ballet with Tito Nic for 26 years and has led Balletcenter Cebu for nearly two decades, establishing it as a hub for international training, performances, and festivals.
Together, Tito Nic and Mr. A have shaped Balletcenter into more than just a school — it is a home where passion meets discipline, and where Cebu’s next generation of dancers are trained by true legends.
For media inquiries and interviews, please contact:
Ana Michelle Kesner Executive Director, Balletcenter Cebu
📧 hello@balletcentercebu.com | 📱 0976-0021326
📍 Facebook: @balletcenterofcebu | Instagram: @balletcentercebu
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