Pathways Partnership 

Expanding Access. Inspiring Futures.

The Pathways Partnership is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between California Dance Institute (CDI) and Westside Ballet of Santa Monica. Together, we are creating a direct pathway from school-based dance classes to world-class ballet training, ensuring that talent—not circumstance—determines a child’s opportunity to succeed.

Designed to expand access to high-quality dance education, the Pathways Partnership opens doors for children with a passion and natural gift for dance who might otherwise never have the opportunity to discover where their talent could take them.

How It Works

Through the Pathways Partnership, students benefit from:

• Expanded CDI programming in under-resourced schools.
• Access to Westside Ballet’s Dance to Dreams summer program.
• Full scholarships to Westside Ballet—including tuition, dancewear, shoes, supplies, and transportation—for CDI students with a passion and aptitude for ballet.

Together, CDI and Westside Ballet create a clear pathway from a child’s first dance class to advanced classical ballet training.

Why It Matters

Every child deserves the opportunity to explore their potential.

Many families face barriers to arts participation, including the cost of tuition, dancewear, transportation, and limited access to dance education. The Pathways Partnership removes those barriers, providing talented young dancers with the training, mentorship, and support they need to thrive.

Looking Ahead

What began as a pilot collaboration has grown into a shared vision for the future. By 2030, CDI and Westside Ballet aim to serve 20 schools and provide full scholarships to 40 students, creating lasting opportunities for the next generation of artists.