Vanessa Bessler
Creative Arts
Vanessa Bessler, MBA, is a former principal dancer with the National Ballet of Panama and a ballet master with over 30 years of teaching experience.
Her training includes the Russian Vaganova, Royal Academy of Dancing, and Cecchetti pedagogical methods.
Vanessa focuses on teaching students the purity of ballet technique, a deep love for the history and culture of classical ballet, perseverance, and creativity.
She has a remarkable track record of preparing successful dancers and is the only local ballet master who has placed finalists in the Prix de Laussane, Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), and IBC Jackson international finals.
Additionally, she has received the “Outstanding Teacher” award from the YAGP for 8 consecutive years!
In 2015, Vanessa established the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio – a non-profit focused on inspiring youth artists to pursue excellence and prepare for productive and creative lives through dance.
Through CBSA, she created the first dance company in San Antonio to stage fully inclusive casts; creating training and performance opportunities for all youth artists to shine on stage!
But the most important skills Bessler’s students receive are not measurable by awards or prestigious college admissions. Grit, friendship, love, respect and inclusion are the core curriculum along with tendus and relevés; life skills extending far beyond the stage!
Vanessa is the founder of the Dance Center of San Antonio and Tutus & Ribbons boutique and, with her husband, Tim, has two children: Paul, a UT Austin junior in engineering, and William, a senior pursuing a career in ballet – just like his mom!
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