ADVISORY COUNCIL Handbook
Fall 2024
Advisory Council Membership 2024-2025
Kellie Johnson Abreu, Co-Chair, California
Stacey C. Morse, Co-Chair, New York
Nurit Amdur, New York
Elisabeth M. Armstrong, Texas
Susan J. Campbell, New York
Laura G. Carr, New York
Shannon G. Caspersen, MD, New York
Maggie Chong, New York
Linda S Daines, New York
Jacqueline Erdman, Wyoming
Uzochi Ndukwe Erlingsson, Massachusetts
Frances D. Fergusson, Florida
Katherine Finch*, Texas
Caroline Gogolak*, New York
Karen Groeger, New York
Liz Groeger*, California
Lucy Anda Hardison, North Carolina
Christine Hessler, California
Cheryl Huntsman, Utah
Elizabeth Joyce, New Jersey
Susannah A Kagan, New York
Leslie Kavanaugh, Florida
Cynthia Ketchum, New York
Linda D. Kofmehl, New York
Emily Lau, New York
Barbara W Lehman, New York
Elizabeth D Leykum*, Texas
Allison Lyneham*, Oregon
Nancy S. MacMillan, New Jersey
Jennifer Malherbe, New York
Lyn M McHugh, New York
Andrea Mendell, New York
Pam Miles, Illinois
Susan Frame Millstein, New York
Christine Morenz, Texas
Ellen L Needham, New York
Sarah E Needham, New York
Barbara Netter, Connecticut
Sylvia Oberwager, New York
Susan C. Orb, California
Carolyn Parkerson, Missouri
Elisa Stude Pye, Texas
Shari H Quinney, Utah
Caro U. Rock, Pennsylvania
Eve S. Rounds*, Massachusetts
Katherine Sakoda*, California
Sally Shreeves, New York
Candice Steller, New Jersey
Elizabeth Farran Tozer, New York
Marty Tremain, New York
Christine Underwood, Texas
Mary Van Pelt, Rhode Island
Lisa J. Walsh, New York
Charmaine Waterfield, Florida
Cecily Waud, New York
Regina A. Weingarten, California
Felecia Weiss, New York
Barbara Wright, New York
*Denotes SAB Alumna
POLICIES
ANNUAL GIVING
Members support the Advisory Council Scholarship Fund with a minimum annual gift of $5,000.
Advisory Council members who make gifts at the $10,000 level or above are included in SAB’s Chairman’s Circle. Members at this level are invited to the Chairman’s Circle Dinner and other private events.
MEETING ATTENDANCE
Each member is encouraged to attend at least one meeting per year
Members are welcome to visit the School at any time. Please contact us to arrange a class observation or tickets to New York City Ballet.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Meanwhile,inthestudiosatMadisonAvenueand59thStreet,children’sclassesweresoonadded totheSchool’scurriculumandascholarshipprogramwasinitiated TheSchoolspawnedseveral professionalcompaniesintheearlyyears,withtheeventualestablishmentoftheNewYorkCity Ballet Formanyyears,theSchoolandtheCompanysharedstudios,andBalanchinereinforcedthe affiliationbetweenthetwoprofessionalorganizationsin1954whenhechoreographeddozensof children’srolesintohisproductionofTheNutcracker
TheSchoolcontinuedtogrowandmovedtostudiosatBroadwayand83rdStreetin1956 Inthe early1960s,theSchoolexpandeditsfaculty,andBalanchinerefinedthecurriculumtoreflecta purelyprofessionalattitude;admissionwouldbebyauditiononly WiththehelpofTheFord Foundation,aseriesofnationalscholarshipswasintroduced TheSchoolmovedtoLincolnCenter in1969andsolidifieditspositionasthecountry’sdefactonationalacademy Bythattime,the Schoolhaddevelopedthebasicstructurewhichremainsinplacetoday:aten-monthWinterTerm andafive-weekSummerCoursefordancerschoseninthenationalauditionprocess
TheSchooljoinedLincolnCenterasalegalconstituentin1987andbegantoplanandbuildnew facilitiesinconjunctionwithotherCenterconstituents In1991theSchoolmovedagainto expandedquartersinthenewSamuelB andDavidRosebuildingatLincolnCenterandopened residentialaccommodationsforoutof-townstudents
AlumniincludeSuzanneFarrell,PatriciaMcBride,EdwardVillella,GelseyKirkland,Fernando Bujones,MariaTallchief,andArthurMitchell,aswellasthedirectorsofover20professional companiesinAmericaandEurope.TheSchoolisrecognizedasthepre-eminentacademyinthe UnitedStates,andthepeerofstate-supportedschoolsinRussia,Denmark,France,andEngland In2009,SABwasawardedtheNationalMedalofArts
FACT SHEET
Mission
Vision
Founded
Enrollment
Curriculum
Facilities
To train, develop, and nurture talented young dancers from diverse backgrounds for careers in classical ballet with New York City Ballet and companies around the world
The School’s vision affirms its goals: as the premier ballet academy in the country, SAB aspires to uphold the values of equity and inclusion and to enrich the lives of its students and the art form.
Founded 1934 by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein
550+ students in the Winter Term (10 months); 200+ students during the Summer Course (5 weeks); 120+ students during New York Junior Session.
Classical ballet for beginners through advanced students in 18 different levels. Separate classes for boys and girls. Also character dance, gymnastics, music, Pilates, contemporary, and weight training to complement classical studies.
Facilities at Lincoln Center include 7 state-of-the-art studios, a Pilates/physical therapy room, nurse’s station, locker rooms, artistic and administrative offices, and more. There is an on-site residence hall for 60+ students during Winter Term and 200+ during Summer Course.
Faculty
Scholarships
Admission
Demographics
Artistic Director and Chair of Faculty: Jonathan Stafford Worldrenowned faculty of classical dance comprised of 22 teachers, including former New York City Ballet principal dancers, plus guest faculty and two associate faculty contemporary dance faculty members. Additional teachers for Gymnastics, Music, Pilates, and Weight Training.
Student aid totals roughly $2 million annually Includes SAB tuition, residence hall/room and board fees, academic (high school) subsidies, pointe shoe and wardrobe subsidies, and travel expenses.
By audition only. 2,000-3,000 students audition each year in New York and in 17 major cities throughout the country International students audition by video
Students aged 6-19. Advanced students come from on average about 25 states and 3 foreign countries each year. The ratio of female students to male students is approximately three-to-one, overall. Students of color comprised 60% of the 2023-2024 Winter Term
Alumni
Affiliations
Approximately 15-25 students leave the School each year to begin their careers with professional companies, more than any other school in the country. In past years they have joined New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Semperoper Ballet in Dresden, Kansas City Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet and San Francisco Ballet among many others.
SAB has its own Board of Directors and is financially independent, yet it has been affiliated artistically with New York City Ballet for 75 years. 98% of the current members of NYCB are SAB alumni SAB is also one of 11 constituents of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
ADVANCED DIVISION
Each week, SAB Advanced Division students take technique, variations, and partnering classes. Additionally, girls take Pointe and Pilates while boys take weight training. Each student takes class six days per week for an average of three hours each day in addition to rehearsing for various programs. Most of these young dancers are still in high school and a few have begun college, but all of them must balance their ballet training with their academic classes
GIRLS D
D is the most advanced level of training for girls at SAB, for students aged 16 to 19 Many of them live in the SAB residence hall which is also in the Rose Building. In addition to technique classes taken six days a week, D students take Adagio (partnering), Toe (pointe), and Variations classes.
GIRLS C-2
C-2 is the second advanced training level for girls at SAB Students work to develop stamina as well as speed, lightness, and artistically In addition to technique classes six days a week, C-2 students take Adagio (partnering), Toe (pointe), Variations, and an eight-week course in ballroom dancing
ADVANCED MEN
Advanced Men is the highest level of boys’ training at SAB Students are mastering more complex steps and combinations. In addition to technique classes six days a week, Advanced Men take Adagio (partnering), Variations, Weight Training, and an eight-week course in Ballroom dancing.
GIRLS C-1
C-1 is the first training level in the girls Advanced Division at SAB These girls take 11 classes each week, including Adagio and Variations In addition to technique classes six days a week, C1 students take Adagio (partnering), Toe (pointe), Variations, Music and an eight-week course in ballroom dancing
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION
SAB believes that its community of students, parents, administrative staff, faculty, pianists, and board are key players in creating a space and culture that is anti-racist, diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
SAB’s Diversity Initiative first launched in 2012 with the intention of bringing more dancers of color to professional stages. Initially centered in the Student Life and Public Relations, Recruiting, and Outreach departments, these efforts were largely focused on recruitment and the student experience, resulting in significant changes within the student body. No longer an initiative, the School’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is now a lived-priority of the organization and its members.
ALUMNI ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Established in 2015-2016, the Alumni Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion is comprised of SAB alumni of color who are active dance professionals (directors, choreographers, performers, and teachers) In their consultative role, they help to shape and guide SAB’s ongoing commitment to DEI, while also serving as SAB ambassadors and collaborators with the greater dance community.
NATIONAL VISITING FELLOWS PROGRAM
The National Visiting Fellows Program engages five U.S.-based classical ballet instructors who teach diverse populations for a one-year fellowship. The program exposes fellows to SAB’s teaching philosophy, establishes a network of dance professionals, and provides critical support to local studios across the country so that more dancers of color are equipped to succeed in ballet.
PRINCIPAL GUEST TEACHERS
The Principal Guest Teachers expand the presence of faculty of color at SAB, serving in residency at SAB, teaching Intermediate/Advanced students, and participating in student programming across divisions The 2024-2025 Principal Guest Teachers are SAB alums Kareen Pauld Camargo and Kiyon Ross
RECRUITMENT
Recruitment of a diverse student body is paramount to SAB’s continued success. Members of the Alumni Advisory Committee and the National Visiting Fellows are part of a growing network that aids in promoting and recruiting for SAB. Audition fee waivers for the National Audition Tour ensure that SAB reaches diverse student populations and that cost is not a limitation
STAFF LEARNING
SAB began working with DEI consultant Tammy Borman of TLB Collective in 2018 to increase the organization’s capacity for diversity, equity, and inclusion A significant outcome of that consultancy was the creation of SAB's 5-year Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (2020-2025), which was developed in partnership with the School's Transformation Team
In 2021, SAB expanded its DEI consultancy to include Elizabeth Williams-Riley of DASH Consulting Formal DEI Learning Sessions were developed for SAB’s Board of Directors SAB alumna and DEI practitioner Erica Edwards was invited in 2022 to collaborate on faculty engagement, and the revision of the purpose statement for SAB's Alumni Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.
Throughout the year, SAB faculty and staff receive information about DEI learning opportunities and cultural events on the Lincoln Center Campus, including Community Circles, which are "shared interest groups spearheaded by employees across various dimensions of diversity ”
STUDENT BODY EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT
The Director of DEI works closely with Student Life to support the student experience at SAB Examples include advocating on behalf of student and parents, serving as a student advisor, and leading programmatic initiatives and education around DEI for all divisions SAB's Alumni Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion as well as the National Visiting Fellows Program ensure that all students are able to network and and work with current and diverse dance professionals, broadening students' perspectives and illustrating multiple pathways for success in dance. Annual events outside of SAB such as the International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and the MoBBallet Symposium provide increased access to dance opportunities and professional development for students of color.
THE EQUITY PROJECT & TRANSFORMATION TEAM
SAB was the only ballet school invited to participate in The Equity Project: Increasing the Presence of Blacks in Ballet, a 3-year program to advance racial equity in professional ballet companies and co-led by Dance/USA, Dance Theatre of Harlem and the International Association of Blacks in Dance School leadership attended annual meetings with national regional ballet company directors and engaged in regular dialogue around topics of DEI SAB’s internal Transformation Team (comprised of faculty and staff) was formed as an outgrowth of this project and is charged with leading the School’s ongoing learning and organizational transformation
LEADERSHIP
Carrie W. Hinrichs
Executive Director 212 769 6601 chinrichs@sab.org
Aesha Ash* Head of Artistic Health and Wellness Faculty member since 2020
Jonathan Stafford*
Artistic Director and Chair of Faculty 212.769.6717 jstafford@sab.org
Jenifer Ringer* Director of Intermediate/ Advanced Divisions and Artistic Programming Faculty member since 2024
Katrina Killian* Director of Children’s/ Preparatory Division, Mae L. Wein Faculty Chair Faculty member since 1998
DEVELOPMENT STAFF
mpalmour@sab org
FACULTY
Alexander Anderson
Associate faculty member since 2023
Classes: Contemporary
Marika Anderson*
Faculty member since 2016
Classes: Little Dancers; Preparatory; Girls I, II, III, IV, V, VI; B-2
Megan Dutton-O’Hara*
Faculty member since 2022
Classes: Little Dancers; Preparatory; Girls I, III, IV
Megan Fairchild*
Faculty member since 2018
Classes: C-2
Gonzalo Garcia
Faculty member since 2018
Classes: D; Intermediate & Advanced Men
Marimba Gold-Watts
Associate faculty member since 2022
Classes: Pilates
Craig Hall*
Faculty member since 2018
Classes: C-2; Intermediate & Advanced Men
Dirk Hartog
Associate faculty member since 2018
Classes: Weight Training/Conditioning
Adam Hendrickson*
Faculty member since 2018
Classes: Girls V, VI; B-2, C-1, C-2; Boys I, II, III, IV, V; Intermediate & Advanced Men
Arch Higgins*
Faculty member since 2010
NYCB Associate Children’s Repertory Director
Classes: Boys III, IV. V; Intermediate & Advanced Men
Phoebe Higgins*
Associate faculty member since 2000
Classes: Pilates
Anthony Huxley*
Faculty member since 2018
Classes: Boys III, IV, V; Intermediate & Advanced Men
Sterling Hyltin*
Faculty member since 2016
Classes: Girls III; B-2
Emily Kikta*
Associate faculty member since 2022
Female Choreography Fellow
Lauren King*
Faculty member since 2018
Classes: Girls V, VI; B-2
Caroline Krumm
Associate faculty member since 2022
Classes: Conditioning
Taylor LaBruzzo
Associate faculty member since 2023
Classes: Contemporary
Olivia MacKinnon*
Faculty member since 2024
Classes: Little Dancers; Preparatory; Girls I
Meagan Mann*
Faculty member since 2018
Preparatory Curriculum Coordinator
Classes: Little Dancers; Preparatory; Girls I, II, IV, VI; B-2, C-1
Kay Mazzo*
Faculty member since 1982
Classes: C-1, C-2, D
Christopher Charles McDaniel
Faculty member since 2023
Classes: Preparatory; Girls II; Boys IV; Intermediate Men
Juliana Nikolich
Associate faculty member since 2024
Classes: Strength/Conditioning
Justin Peck*
Associate faculty member since 2022
Student Choreography Advisor
Allen Peiffer*
Faculty member since 2015
Professional Placement Manager
Classes: Preparatory; Girls II, III, VI; B-2, C-1, C-2, D; Boys I, II, IV, V, Intermediate & Advanced Men
Suki Schorer
Faculty member since 1972
Classes: C-1, C-2, D
Andrew Scordato*
Faculty member since 2014
Classes: Girls I, III; Boys I, II, III, IV, V; C-1; Intermediate & Advanced Men
Aaron Severini*
Associate faculty member since 2021
Classes: Music
Rosemary T Berkery
Amanda Brotman-Schetritt*
Catherine Doyle Callaway
Shannon G Casperson, MD
Chelsea V Clinton
Ashly Nikkole Davis
Benan Ozakbas Ellis
Frances D Fergusson
Alessandra W Gouldner
Helen Haje*
Karen Adams Horton
Coco F. Kopelman*
Ida Kristensen
Lyn M. McHugh
Elizabeth R. Miller
Garfield L. Miller, III
Michelle Miller
Susan Frame Millstein
School of American Ballet
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carrie Hinrichs, Executive Director
Jonathan Stafford*, Artistic Director and Chair of Faculty
Officers:
Zita J. Ezpeleta, Chairman of the Board
Elisabeth M. Armstrong, Vice Chairman
Jim Brennan, Vice Chairman
Nancy S. MacMillan, Treasurer
Stephanie Sharp*, Secretary
Nicole Murphy
Ellen L Needham
Hilary Peek
David R Pruner
Hon Susan Phillips Read
Suzanne Allen Redpath
Morgan P Richardson*
Naomi O Seligman
Sally Shreeves
Alyssa Cohen Tablada
Eric Taylor
Phoebe Tudor
Alice Vilma
Barbara M. Vogelstein
Olivia C. Wassenaar
Carolyn Wright-Lewis
Laura Zeckendorf*
Artistic Advisory Committee
Peter Boal*
Helgi Tomasson*
Edward Villella*
Chairmen Emeriti
Mr Albert C Bellas
Mr Robert Fribourg
Mr Roswell B Perkins+
Mr Max R Shulman
Ms Barbara M Vogelstein
Mr. Philip S. Winterer
Directors Emeriti
Stuart H. Coleman
Mrs. Mark Hampton
Howard Solomon+
Kent Stowell
Elizabeth Farran Tozer
Directors in Memoriam
Nathalie Gleboff
Karen T Hughes
Nancy N Lassalle*
Mr John E Lockwood
Mr W McNeil Lowry
Natalie Molostwoff
Eugenie Ouroussow
Roswell B Perkins
Lionel I Pincus
Mr Edward M M Warburg
*SAB Alumnus/Alumna
+Deceased
Cover: Serenade at the 2024 Workshop Performances. Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust.
Page 4: Boys Level IV and Girls Level B1
Page 5: Advanced Men and Girls Level D
Page 6: Archival
Page 7: Advanced Men
Page 8: Advanced Men and Girls Level C2
Page 10: Alumni Advisory Council for Diversity and Inclusion Talkback
Page 11: Intermediate Men
Page 12: Preparatory Division
Page 13: Girls Level III
Photography Credits:
School of American Ballet
New York, NY 10023
P 212-768-2200
F 212-768-4897
sab.org
Rosalie O’Connor, George Platt Lynes, Heather Toner, Annalise Boese