The Santa Barbara Ballet Center opened in 1972 as the Goleta School of Ballet in old Town Goleta.  The owners, Bob and Carol Hanlin,  had retired from American Ballet Theater and began their new career as teachers.  Within a few years they began a partnership with the Santa Barbara Symphony and added a non-profit performing company, the Goleta Civic Ballet, to produce the Nutcracker.  They also joined the National Association of Regional Ballet to give their dancers more opportunities to be exposed to other dancers and performances.  Following their retirement, the school was sold to Michele Andersen and Denise Rinaldi.  Ms. Rinaldi had been a student in the school and performed with the company for several years before leaving to pursue other performance oopportunities and to study the Cecchetti method. They built on the traditions started by the Hanlins and continued to provide excellent training and performing opportunities for aspiring dancers. 

In 2006, Ms. Rinaldi purchased the Santa Barbara Ballet Center as the sole owner.  The school uses the Cecchetti method as its base of training and enters students annually in exams.  In addition, Ms. Rinaldi has brought in other fine teachers in the community, including Valerie Huston and Christina McCarthy to provide a broader perspective and a diversity of approaches to the program. The school is working to provide more opportunities Including classes in pas de deux, variations and work with masters teachers.  Plans include an expansion of the Board of Directors for the company, a re-joining of Regional Ballet and an expanded performance season.  A teachers training program is now available for students or professional dancers that are interested in considering teaching as a future career.  The Center continues to grow and expand and looks toward a bright future.