CHAUTAUQUA – The Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet, under the artistic direction of Monika Alch, will present its annual Spring Gala performance on Friday, June 13, at 8 p.m. at the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater.

The program includes Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals, original choreography to Ravel’s Tzigane featuring violinist Anton Shelepov, a solo by CRYB alumna Cecelia Johnson, and a diverse selection of classical and contemporary works.

Since 2018, CRYB has brought its Spring Gala to the historic Chautauqua Amphitheater, marking this as their sixth performance on the world-renowned stage.

“Not only is it an inspiring experience for our dancers,” said Alch, “but it is also a wonderful community partnership between the Institution and CRYB, offering local audiences year-round exposure to quality dance opportunities.”

The evening’s performance is presented in two acts. Act I will feature Carnival of the Animals with performances from all of the students of CRYB from age 3 and up and the Waltz & Mazurka from Khachaturian Masquerade Suite & Saint-Saëns Suite in D.

Act II will open with Guest Artist Anton Shelepov performing a solo to Ravel’s Tzigane. Originally from Siberia, Shelepov began violin at age four and holds advanced degrees from the St. Petersburg Conservatory and Michigan State University. A prizewinner in numerous international competitions, he currently serves as First Assistant Concertmaster with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and has been a member of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra’s First Violin Section since 2015.

Also featured is CRYB alumna Cecelia Johnson, who trained under Monika Alch before continuing her studies at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and The Washington Ballet’s professional training division. Johnson just completed her second year as a trainee in Washington, D.C., and will begin her professional career next season as an apprentice with American Contemporary Ballet in Los Angeles. She will also perform as part of Chautauqua Institution’s seven-week pre-professional division

Tickets are $20 for adults and $14 for youth, available through Chautauqua Institution. Purchase online at tickets.chq.org, by phone at 716-357-6250, or in person at the Main Gate or Amphitheater Kiosk the evening of the performance.