San Francisco Ballet School musicality. After completing the program, students of age who wish to continue their studies must audition to enter the SF Ballet School at Level 1. The San Francisco Ballet Center for Dance Education supports community programs touching over 25,000 people annually and donates over 4,000 tickets to the community. Established in 1979, Dance in Schools and Communities (DISC) teaches dance and movement to 3,500 students in the San Francisco Unified School District. Of these students, 60-70 are chosen to attend San Francisco Ballet on a continuing education scholarship. Two times a season, San Francisco Ballet holds community matinees for students
San Francisco Ballet de Coteau's battle with terminal cancer forced him to step down from the position. Emil de Cou, who had been serving as conductor since 1995, then assumed the role of music director, leading the Orchestra until 2001, when he left to join Washington D.C.'s National Symphony Orchestra. He was replaced by first associate conductor Jean-Louis LeRoux, who then left the interim position in 2003 and was succeeded by Andrew Mogrelia. In 2005, Mogrelia left in order to focus on his duties as music director at San Francisco Conservatory of Music. That same year, Martin West, frequent guest conductor for the