Tyler Gum
Ballet and Variation
Teacher Tyler is from Calhan, Colorado. He joined Ballet West II in 2009 and joined the main company in 2010. He was then promoted to Demi-Soloist in 2014, Soloist in 2016, First Soloist in 2018 and Principal in 2023.
He studied with Holly Marble at the Ballet Society of Colorado Springs, and with Fernando Schaffenburg at the Sangre de Cristo Ballet Theatre. He attended summer programs at Walnut Hill, Harid Conservatory, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet School on scholarship. He attended the University of Arizona where he performed with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. He has competed in the Youth America Grand Prix, where he received first place with his classical ballet solo at the regional competition and a contract with Ballet West II at the New York City finals.
Some of Teacher Tyler’s favorite leading roles that he has performed with Ballet West include the Prince in Ashton’s Cinderella, Robbins’ Fancy Free, the Sugar Plum Cavalier in Christensen’s The Nutcracker, and Edward Sterlie’s Lacrymosa solo.
Olivia Gum
Ballet Conditioning and Variation
Teacher Olivia is from Tampa, Florida. She joined the Ballet West Academy as a trainee in 2014 and joined Ballet West II in 2015. She was promoted to the main company in 2016 and to Demi-Soloist in 2022.
She has participated in several competitions, including Youth America Grand Prix, International Ballet Competition, and Prix de Lausanne. Some of her favorite roles that she has performed with Ballet West include Robinson-Harris and Dolka’s Aladdin, Kunikova’s Paquita, Jooss’ Green Table and Balanchine’s Rubies.
