Ballet Through Borders 2025

The 2025 Ballet Through Borders project marked another year of growth, creativity, and deepening community connection. The program expanded to its largest group yet, welcoming 24 dancers to the week-long camp in South Africa. Interest continued to rise, with families reaching out in advance and local schools increasingly offering theater spaces for the final performance.

Throughout the week, dancers took daily classes, rehearsed, and explored creativity, culminating in a final performance. Each dancer received essential ballet supplies and a custom floral skirt made by a local seamstress, continuing a cherished tradition.

The 2025 princess theme, The Little Mermaid, inspired a vibrant performance, with dancers bringing the underwater world to life as fish, jellyfish, starfish, and lobsters. Costumes remained a collaborative effort—borrowed from June Taylor School of Dance (Oregon, USA) and Francien de Kock Dance School (South Africa), alongside handmade elements.

The annual South African cultural night continued as a key fundraising and community event. This year featured a special collaboration with Lake Oswego artist Haelyn Y, who donated original dancer sketches that were reproduced on cards and notebooks for sale.

With growing participation and partnerships, the program continues to build momentum. In 2025, six dancers were awarded yearlong scholarships—the largest number to date—furthering the mission of creating lasting opportunities through dance.