The Crossroads shopping center in Irvine is now home to a new Tutu School location, which began operations in fall 2024. This studio, one of five Tutu School franchises in Orange County operated by Brooke Luminelli, has enrolled a little more than 300 children.
Luminelli's connection to ballet began at age 10, a later start than some, but her dedication led her to earn a dance degree at UC Irvine. She subsequently performed professionally for six years at Disney parks in Southern California and Tokyo, appearing in parades and the "Fantasmic!" show.
After her tenure as a performer, Luminelli sought a new career path. Tutu School was conceived by a dancer friend from Luminelli’s hometown of Madison, Wisconsin, who had also moved to California. This friend identified Luminelli as an ideal candidate to launch franchises in Orange County, making Luminelli one of the earliest franchisees for the Bay Area-based school.
Tutu School provides creative movement and age-appropriate ballet technique for children from 6 months up to 8 or 9 years old. Luminelli, who is a married mother of two daughters aged 5 and 2, has both of her children attending the weekly, 45-minute classes offered under monthly contracts. Her youngest daughter started when the Baby Ballet classes became available, while her oldest began as a toddler.
The school’s curriculum is structured by age group. The Baby Ballet division, intended for children 6 to 18 months old, focuses on developing fine motor skills and encouraging parent-child bonding. Caregivers participate in both Baby Ballet and the Tutu Toddler classes, which serve children aged 18 months to 3 years. Older children advance to Exploring Ballet for ages 3 to 5, and then to Primary Ballet for those aged 5 to 8.
Recitals are held in winter and spring. For the youngest dancers, parents are welcome to join them on stage. Luminelli notes that the goal for these performances is for children to "have a fun time and feel supported," regardless of how that manifests. Storytelling is a significant element of the classes, with students learning the narratives of classic ballets such as "Cinderella" and "Swan Lake" through movement and music.
Luminelli recruits teachers based on their strong dance backgrounds, a passion for ballet, and their patience and desire to work with children. She expresses admiration for her team, stating that they "amaze me every day" with their ability to connect with students and families, and their creativity in the classroom. Luminelli’s passion for ballet remains steadfast, as she states she "truly love[s] this business" as much as teaching or performing.
Elsewhere at Crossroads, Sole Toscano opened in 2017. Founded by Marco Cimmino, the contemporary cafe targets both families and young professionals. Cimmino identified Irvine as "an ideal spot" for the cafe’s concept. Sole Toscano is known for its house-made piadina sandwiches, classic pasta dishes like spaghetti alla carbonara, pizzas, pastries, and espresso. All menu items are prepared on-site using ingredients sourced from Italy or locally.
Master Lee’s Talium Taekwondo, founded by Grand Master Seung Hyung Lee, has operated at Crossroads since 2016. Grand Master Lee noted that the Crossroads location benefits from increased pedestrian activity, stating, "We get more foot traffic here than our previous location." The studio holds international recognition from Kukkiwon, the world taekwondo headquarters. Master Lee’s Talium Taekwondo emphasizes discipline, technique, and character development in its training programs.