In a studio high above Lincoln Center, Taylor Stanley is rehearsing a solo from Jerome Robbins’ Opus 19/The Dreamer. As the pianist plays Prokofiev’s plangent melody, Stanley begins to move, his arms forming crisp, clean lines while his upper body twists and melts from one position to the next. All you see is intention and […]

With the premiere of Voices at New York City Ballet, Alexei Ratmansky has challenged ballet conventions in breathtaking ways. Can we now count him as a “postmodern” choreographer? In the areas of music, gender and curtain behavior, he has wittily dashed expectations. Just as pianist Stephen Gosling begins to play, you hear a voice speaking […]

Apple—continuing their sensational streak of genius dance collabs—has done it again, with a sleek promo video for the new iPhone that features the ballet world’s best and brightest. The beautiful short film, titled “Mobile Devices” (we see what they did there!), is directed by former Miami City Ballet dancer Ezra Hurwitz. It follows a day […]

In a large practice studio inside Lincoln Center’s Koch Theater, Suzanne Farrell watches quietly as New York City Ballet principals Sara Mearns and Russell Janzen work through a series of supported poses. As Janzen kneels to face her, Mearns brushes through to croisé arabesque, extending her leg high behind her. “I wouldn’t penché there,” says […]

In a large practice studio inside Lincoln Center’s Koch Theater, Suzanne Farrell watches quietly as New York City Ballet principals Sara Mearns and Russell Janzen work through a series of supported poses. As Janzen kneels to face her, Mearns brushes through to croisé arabesque, extending her leg high behind her. “I wouldn’t penché there,” says […]

Last Friday, through an appeal to an independent arbitrator, the American Guild of Musical Artists successfully reinstated NYCB principals Amar Ramasar and Zachary Catazaro, previously fired for allegedly circulating sexually explicit texts containing nude photos. AGMA opposed Ramasar and Catazaro’s terminations in order to prevent the setting of a dangerous precedent that would allow dancers […]

One of the country’s top arbitrators has decided to reinstate Amar Ramasar and Zachary Catazaro to New York City Ballet. The former principals were fired last fall for “inappropriate communications,” namely graphic text messages. The dancers’ union, American Guild of Musical Artists, fought the termination, arguing that the firings were unjust since they related entirely […]

When I joined the New York City Ballet, I had a million questions. How soon before a performance should I get ready? When should I eat dinner—before or after the performance? How long should I wear my false eyelashes before I throw them out? Should I practice hard steps onstage before the curtain goes up […]