Denise Dabrowski, Ballet Instructor

Denise Dabrowski, Ballet Instructor

Denise Dabrowski danced as the Prima Ballerina of the California Ballet Company for nearly two decades. She was also a member of the Joffrey Ballet, dancing in works by Joffrey, Arpino, Fokine, Ashton, de Mille and others. Denise also danced with San Diego’s Three’s Company and Dancers, and Isaacs, McCaleb and Dancers. Performing in more than seventy ballets in the California Ballet Company repertoire, Denise received critical acclaim for her interpretations of her roles, many of which she originated for the Company. Her favorite roles include Giselle, Juliet, Odette-Odile, Aurora, the Sugarplum Fairy, and Lucy in “Dracula.”

Denise also served as Regisseur and Ballet Mistress for the California Ballet Company. Her work included coaching principals and soloists of the Company, maintaining the integrity of works in the Company’s repertoire, and assisting choreographers on new works. Denise’s intelligence and intuition for dance and her experience and delight in working with young dancers make her a compassionate, creative, and inspiring teacher and mentor. She has served as a faculty member for over forty years at the California Ballet School, and as former instructor and co-director of the Whitman College Summer Dance Lab.

Denise has received numerous awards from the California Ballet Company and Starlight Opera, an NEA Fellowship Grant, and three San Diego Dance Alliance Tommy Awards.