Since 1980
Valley Dance Theatre was founded by Betsy Hausburg and Penny Tomasello to give talented local dancers real performance opportunities — and to bring affordable, professional-quality ballet to the Tri-Valley. We're the resident ballet company of the 500-seat Bankhead Theater.
The Company operates on a volunteer basis and has provided professional-quality productions to the Tri-Valley for over 40 years. Every year we stage two productions: the full-length Nutcracker each holiday season, and a spring showcase, Spring Rep, spotlighting local talent and original choreography — both performed with our own live pit orchestra.
Our repertoire spans classical story ballets — Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Romeo & Juliet, Raymonda — alongside original contemporary works created for our dancers.
Leadership
Co-founded VDT in 1980. BA cum laude in Dance, Butler University; performed with Syracuse Ballet Theatre and Hartford Ballet. Also VDT's principal costumer and seamstress.
A VDT alumna who rose from "mouse and rosebud" to soloist roles including Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy. Masters in Modern European History, San Jose State.
Former Oakland Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet and Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo dancer; teaching Tri-Valley students for over 16 years.
BA in Dance & Drama, UC Irvine. Choreographer and ArtsBridge America honoree.
VDT alumna since age three, now teaching the lower division while attending St. Mary's University.
VDT alumna since age three; danced Snow Queen, Sugar Plum Fairy and Black Swan.
Governance
President
Treasurer
Secretary
Members: Sandi Becker · Tory Bettencourt · Jennifer Foster · Liz Heaney · Margaret Kamena · Amber Metkiff · Lesli Norton
Student Liaisons: Camille Grondalski · Tatum Ryan · Betsy Hausburg, Artistic Director (ex officio)
