Updated on 9/9/2020 Since COVID-19 has forced ballet companies around the world to cancel performances—and even the remainder of their seasons—many are keeping their audiences engaged by streaming or posting pre-recorded performances onto their websites or social media channels. To help keep you inspired during these challenging times, we’ve put together a list of upcoming […]
When Debra Austin became the first black woman to dance at New York City Ballet, hired by George Balanchine in 1971, there was very little publicity surrounding her appointment. Then, after dancing Zurich Ballet for two years, she was offered a principal contract with Pennsylvania Ballet—becoming the first black principal woman to be hired by […]
Ballerina Raven Wilkinson passed away on Monday at her home in New York City at age 83. Wilkinson is best known as the first African American woman to dance full-time with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and as a cherished mentor to Misty Copeland. Raven Wilkinson presenting Misty Copeland with the Dance Magazine Award […]
Wonder what’s going on in ballet this week? We’ve pulled together some highlights. The Joyce Ballet Festival Is Back New York City’s Joyce Theater kicks off its five-company Ballet Festival June 26-July 7. Showcasing a variety of styles including neoclassical and contemporary dance, the festival prides itself on featuring smaller companies. Below, check out the […]
When American Ballet Theatre soloist Calvin Royal III and New York City Ballet soloist Unity Phelan burst into the opening diagonal of George Balanchine’s Agon on Monday, they had reason to be nervous. Sitting in the downstage corner of Columbia University’s Miller Theater—precisely where they’d need to spot their pencil turns—was Arthur Mitchell, the Dance […]
In the middle of preparing for performances at Colorado’s Vail Dance Festival and her own launch of Ballet Sun Valley, American Ballet Theatre principal Isabella Boylston took a break from rehearsing earlier this week to teach ballet during the National Dance Institute (NDI) summer intensive. Founded by former New York City Ballet principal Jacques d’Amboise […]
The Stars Descend on Vail This year, International Evenings of Dance will include new works. International Evenings of Dance, which features an array of celebrated dancers each year, has become a signature event at the Vail International Dance Festival in Colorado. But this August, the smorgasbord of stars will have an exciting new […]