Gala de Danza Rehearsal with Viola Pantuso (RB) & Shale Wagman (POB)

Photo credit: Melody Battentier

Gala de Danza Rehearsal

Sunday 15th June 2025 – Ballet Rambert Studios

A group of London Ballet Circle members were delighted to attend a rare open rehearsal for the prestigious Gala de Danza, ahead of its highly anticipated London debut at Central Hall Westminster later this month.

During the session, attendees watched dancers Viola Pantuso of the Royal Ballet and Shale Wagman of the Paris Opera Ballet rehearse their duet and individual variations. The rehearsal offered a fascinating insight into the artistic process, as they lead their rehearsal themselves.

The dancers shared insights into their backgrounds and preparation for the gala. Viola, whose specially designed costume was created for this occasion, revealed that she had only met Shale 48 hours earlier and had learned much of the duet by watching a video of Natalia Osipova. Viola also spoke about her unusual beginnings as an Irish dance champion, explaining how the discipline gave her strong ankles, aiding her ballet technique and preparing her for the challenging hops en pointe that she performed in this piece.

Shale, a veteran of the Gala de Danza in Mexico, now dances with the Paris Opera Ballet. He described his early competitive dance career in Canada and how his time in France has refined his style. Shale acknowledged Christina Lyon, the Gala’s founder and artistic director, for her mentorship, crediting her support as instrumental in helping him become the youngest foreign dancer to perform a lead role with the Mariinsky Ballet.

Christina Lyon herself spoke passionately about the origins and ethos of Gala de Danza, which she founded in Mexico in 2013. Inspired by the lack of opportunities for young local dancers to see international stars perform live, she created the gala to nurture artists and audiences alike. The first event sold out within an hour. Since then, the gala has evolved into a spectacular multimedia celebration of dance, music, art, and fashion, presented in stunning venues worldwide. Christina shared stories of previous galas, where performances were projected onto 150ft-high walls, viewed from hotel suites with canapés and champagne, blending accessibility with glamour.

The London event marks the Gala's first step towards a wider international presence. With a new generation of student performers set to grace its stage, alongside world stars.

LBC members left with an enriched appreciation of the talent, artistry, and personal journeys behind the Gala de Danza. The full performances will take place on 25th & 26th June, featuring an extraordinary international lineup, with VIP tickets available for an exclusive dinner event on the final evening.

Report by Rachel Cavet