The Swan Soireé
By Jules Aldaz
Photography by Torry Sledge
The San Antonio Youth Ballet Ball, a Black Swan–inspired affair, graced a stylish Sunday afternoon at The Club at Sonterra, where guests gathered in black and white elegance to celebrate and support the city’s rising dancers.
The afternoon honored the vision of Danielle Campbell Steans, director of the San Antonio Ballet School, home of the San Antonio Youth Ballet—a nonprofit pre-professional company training dancers ages 6–18. As a youth performance company, SAYB takes dancers’ training to the next level through performing arts opportunities, competitions, and community outreach, preparing young artists for professional careers while keeping ballet accessible to all.
Steans’ lifelong devotion to dance began at age four in Kansas City and grew through training at the State Ballet of Missouri and the prestigious Walnut Hill School for the Performing Arts in Massachusetts, where she was also a member of the National Youth Ballet. Her professional career included roles with Georgia Ballet, Nashville Ballet, and Ballet San Antonio, where she performed in classics such as Swan Lake, Coppélia, and Romeo & Juliet. Her final contract brought her to San Antonio, where she met her husband, fell in love with the community, and planted her roots. Today, she carries forward that professional excellence and passion into SAYB, which has grown to 25 company members. “Performance is a critical part of a dancer’s life,” she noted, underscoring the importance of scholarships raised through the Ballet Ball.
Supporting Danielle in her vision is Toni Rohelia, operations manager of the ballet school. Toni ensures the studio runs seamlessly behind the scenes, overseeing the day-to-day operations that allow the dancers and faculty to focus on their art. Her dedication to the school has become an essential part of SAYB’s success.
The afternoon sparkled with the artistic touch of Eliza Volk, who not only led the décor but was also instrumental in organizing the many details that brought the Ballet Ball together. Fiona Gorostiza, host of SA Live on KSAT12, joined David Volk in welcoming guests and guiding the program. On the red carpet, Fiona shared her thoughts on the event, noting: “It’s an art form that a lot of people may not understand, but it’s so incredibly beautiful no matter what—and for that reason alone, whether you’re into ballet or not, it deserves your support.” David brought dynamic energy to the ballroom, steering the spirited “Raise the Bar” auction—a beloved Ballet Ball tradition that channels generosity straight to the dancers.
The celebration also featured a live auction, art by @artistandrealjacobson, and musical performances by @jordanrockhill with @recentlevi. Families, including Michelle Shaw, spoke warmly of the school’s impact, while keynote speaker Erika Prosper delivered an inspiring address. She reminded the audience: “Ballet and dance were always meant to be shared. They are not just about movement, but about advocacy—about bringing beauty, culture, and unity to a community that needs it now more than ever.”
From its Black Swan–themed elegance to the generosity that filled the room, the Ballet Ball once again underscored that investing in the arts means investing in the future of San Antonio’s young talent.
For more information, please visit sayouthballet.org
