4 minute read
Celebrating 90 Years of Excellence
from 2024 Summer Brochure
by sab-nyc
1934
On January 2, George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein open the School of American Ballet on Madison Avenue in New York City, a first step to shaping the future of ballet in America. SAB has long since been considered one of the world’s leading ballet training academies.
1948
New York City Ballet debuts at New York City Center with dancers almost entirely made up of students from the School of American Ballet. After some initial failed attempts, Balanchine and Kirstein’s dream of establishing an American ballet company is realized. Since then, SAB has been the official school of New York City Ballet, providing highly trained dancers for what has become America’s largest ballet company.
1959
With funding from the Ford Foundation, SAB is able to expand its scholarship program and establish a precursor to the National Audition Tour. Balanchine and select faculty traveled across the United States to recruit students nationally, further expanding the School’s reach and influence beyond New York City.
1965
Balanchine and faculty member Alexandra Danilova establish the tradition of a year-end performance for the School’s advanced students, creating an opportunity for them to participate in professionally staged productions of classic ballet works. SAB’s Workshop Performances have grown to become an annual highlight of the ballet world, offering a showcase of the ballet stars of tomorrow.
1972
Suki Schorer and Richard Rapp join the faculty at SAB marking a new generation of faculty at SAB who danced directly under Mr. Balanchine at New York City Ballet. This philosophy of training would continue through the present day with most faculty having trained at SAB, danced at New York City Ballet and then returned to SAB to pass on Balanchine’s technique and aesthetic.
1990
Shortly after becoming an official constituent of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts—the world-famous complex that is home to New York City Ballet, New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera, and The Juilliard School—SAB moves to its current home in the Samuel B. and David Rose Building, which includes an on-site residence hall for housing non-local students for the School’s summer and winter training programs.
1997
SAB establishes an annual Student Choreography Workshop, allowing students to explore the art of choreography by creating new works on their peers. The School has since enhanced this program offering resources to further encourage exploration of choreography. This workshop has inspired the choreographic talents of some of today’s leading choreographers, most notably Justin Peck, Lauren Lovette and Gianna Reisen.
2000's
Throughout the 2000’s, SAB increases its commitment to diversifying the student body. In 2009, SAB begins holding free family friendly performances in NYC neighborhoods. And in 2012, SAB launches a formal diversity, equity and inclusion initiative with the ultimate goal of impacting the diversity of professional stages nationwide. This ongoing commitment permeates all facets of the School and leads to the establishment of a full time staff role dedicated to DEI in 2012 and the start of SAB’s National Visiting Fellows and Principal Guest Teacher programs.
Today
Today, under the leadership of Artistic Director and Chair of Faculty Jonathan Stafford and Associate Chair of Faculty Aesha Ash, SAB continues to lead the field in producing finely trained dancers for professional stages around the world. The core syllabus continues to emphasize Balanchine’s approach to classical ballet but is augmented with exposure to other styles and genres embraced by most 21st century ballet companies. Services to enhance the development of fledging ballet dancers—including mental and physical wellness resources, cultural, developmental and educational programming, professional placement support, and extensive scholarship and financial aid programs—ensure that talented students have the best possible chance to fulfill their potential. Additionally the school’s alumni network is stronger than ever with alumni dancing in professional ballet companies across the US and internationally. And in 2024, almost two dozen alumni hold top artistic leadership roles at major companies including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Houston Ballet, Washington Ballet, and New York City Ballet.
