WSB Executive Director Allegra Clegg is pleased to announce the promotion of Martine Harley to Artistic Director of Westside School of Ballet: “Martine has been a key part of the artistic staff for the past seven years. Her work ethic and artistic talent have been a tremendous addition to Westside and I am excited that her continued involvement will help grow and maintain the legacy of my mom, Yvonne Mounsey, and Westside School of Ballet.”
Martine Harley,
Artistic Director
Martine is a proud alumna of WSB, having received her formative training from Yvonne Mounsey and Rosemary Valaire. At age 18 she joined the Houston Ballet, the fourth largest company in the United States. During her 13 years as a dancer, Martine was a critically acclaimed soloist dancing featured roles in all the full-length classical ballets as well as contemporary pieces.
Upon retiring from dancing, Martine taught at the Houston Ballet Academy, the High School for Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, and was the Dance Coach for Bela Karolyi’s Olympic Gymnastic team before returning to Houston Ballet as Ballet Mistress and Artistic Coordinator for another 12 years.
In 2006 Martine moved back to California to be closer to her family. She now brings three decades of professional experience to produce new generations of dancers at the Westside School of Ballet.
