The Media City Ballet Company formally announced its formation on September 30, 2001. Since then it has experienced remarkable growth and has become one of the major ballet companies in the Southern California area.

While its beginnings may have been humble, its linage is impressive. Company founder and Artistic Director, Natasha Middleton, continues a family tradition in the arts. Her grandmother, Elenna Wortova, danced with the original Ballet Russe. Her father, Andrei Tremaine, was a principal dancer with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and the Ballet Nacional de México. In addition, he was the Artistic Director of the Pacific Ballet Theatre. Throughout his career, he has coached numerous ballet stars  such as Cynthia Gregory and Charles Maple. Her mother, Natalie Garrotto, was an opera singer with the San Francisco Opera.

Ms. Middleton was a principal dancer with the Pacific Ballet Theatre and also performed with the Joffrey II in New York City. She has been teaching ballet for over twenty years and is the owner of the Media Dance Arts Center in Burbank.

Over the last seven years, Media City Ballet has attracted first-class talent from around the world, including Armenia, Asia, Russia, and Spain. MCB dancers have previously worked with such companies as ABT, Armenian National Opera Ballet, the Bolshoi Theatre Ballet, the Kirov Opera and Ballet Company, the Korean National Ballet, and the Chicago Ballet. In addition, MCB has worked with and developed many talented local dancers.

MCB produces three major performances a year, including The Nutcracker. Most recently, the ballet has produced the popular summer special, Aram Khachaturian’s Ballets and the Tributes to the Ballet Russe. The company also puts on several smaller performances, has an active educational outreach program, and sponsors the Media City Youth Ballet Company.

Coupled with its artistic growth, MCB has developed a solid financial base to fund the company. By combining robust ticket sales, a variety of grants, and a strong sponsorship program, Media City Ballet has secured itself a spot in the artistic community for many years to come.