The School of American Ballet

We've started the second week of our Summer Course today after a long holiday weekend and our students are ready to get moving!

Our 2021 Summer Couse began this week and the energy permeating through the studios at SAB is pretty electric! We're delighted to have all of these students training with us for the next 4 weeks. Here's a little peek into our week one classes... Happy Friday!

After nearly a year of remote learning, we closed out the Winter Term with our advanced students performing select Balanchine and Robbins variations in two rather exciting venues - Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center for a limited audience and on stage at the David H. Koch Theater for a presentation on film. Join us for a look back at our Spring Showcase and Benefit today on the SAB Blog: https://sab.org//a-look-back-at-our-spring-showcase-and-w/ Photo by Erin Baiano

Fancy some Conversations on Choreography? We have a new assortment of Ballet Connoisseurship seminars starting next week that will feature several of the most exciting and prolific choreographers in ballet today. In the first session on Wednesday, July 7, award-winning choreographer Kyle Abraham will sit down with artistic collaborator and New York City Ballet Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan to discuss Abraham’s work: his career path and creative drive, his choreog...raphy for ballet dancers, his choreographer-dancer collaborations with Whelan, and his work for New York City Ballet. Their discussion will cover the process, music, and designs for THE RUNAWAY, Abraham’s piece for NYCB which premiered at the 2018 Fall Fashion Gala and was recognized as a Best Dance of 2018 by The New York Times. Register for this session or any of our summer Ballet Connoisseurship seminars now: https://bit.ly/BalletConnoisseurshipSummer21 Photos by Erin Baiano

Why celebrate #TutuTuesday with one tutu when you have two? Here's another peek at rehearsals for our Spring Showcase earlier this month. We hope everyone is staying cool on this hot summer's day!

SAB’s equivalent to graduating seniors are our Capstone students -- advanced students who have attended SAB Winter Terms and are completing their training at the School. Every year our Capstone class goes on to do amazing things and 2021 is no different. From ballet company contracts to acceptances to incredible universities all over the world, our 2021 Capstone class is moving on to exceptional opportunities in this next phase of their lives and we congratulate them all! In their final days at SAB, we sat down with our Capstone students to hear about what they've learned in their time at the School, their fondest memories and what they'll miss most. Hear what each had to say by viewing our Instagram Stories this week and watching our three-part series. We are going to miss all of these wonderful students and we wish them all the best!

It's so strange for us not to be on the road this January auditioning applicants across the country for our summer programs. But we're currently accepting video applications and have put together a handy list of our video requirements and specifications to help you nail your audition video! Check it out: http://bit.ly/Summer2021AuditionVideos We're excited to see all our applicants' videos and encourage you to submit yours before January 15 for best consideration. The final ...deadline is January 31! SAB Summer Auditions sponsored by Freed of London_USA. Photo: Rosalie O’Connor Photography, Summer 2018

Sharing a snap from our recent #SABArchive - Here's Silas Farley and Emily Kikta when they were both still students at the School and dancing an original ballet from fellow student John Poppe in our Student Choreography Workshop. #FlashbackFriday Photo: Rosalie O’Connor Photography, 2010

Do you have a little one at home who loves to dance? Children ages 4-6 are welcome to join our Winter Session of Little Dancers from anywhere in the world! Students will participate in a 45-minute Zoom class each week where they will learn introductory ballet, creative movement, and classical music appreciation - it's the perfect course to kickstart your child's ballet training and no audition or experience is necessary. Space is limited so enroll today: https://bit.ly/SABLittleDancers2021

Today we're sharing some helpful tips for anyone who is putting together an audition video for our 2021 Summer Programs. Check out our Instagram story at @sab_nyc to find out our key suggestions for barre work in your video application and stay tuned for more tips throughout the month! *Remember the deadline for submitting an application is Jan. 31! For best consideration, apply by January 15. SAB Summer Auditions sponsored by Freed of London_USA.... Photo: Rosalie O’Connor Photography, Summer 2018

Sharing a bit of wisdom and encouragement from our co-founder Lincoln Kirstein this morning. #MondayMotivation

AGON is a beloved Balanchine ballet that is both thrilling and technically challenging to perform. We spoke with Kay Mazzo, SAB’s Chairman of Faculty who performed the work while dancing with New York City Ballet, and Savannah Durham, a current apprentice with New York City Ballet who first performed the AGON pas de deux at SAB’s 2019 Workshop, about what it was like for each of them to dance this iconic ballet. https://sab.org//performing-george-balanchines-agon-a-con/

It's our first day back to virtual classes after winter break. We hope all our students had a restful and safe holiday!

The outlook for the week is looking pretty rosy! Photo: Rosalie O’Connor Photography, 2019

Have you been enjoying New York City Ballet's Digital Fall Season? This weekend be sure to catch the latest family-friendly program featuring THE STEADFAST TIN SOLDIER and excerpts from A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Learn more: https://www.nycballet.com/season-and-t/fall-digital-season/

#TBT to variations class in 2019. Hope you're all finding balance on this lovely fall day! Photo: Rosalie O’Connor Photography, Spring 2019

With Halloween just around the corner, we've compiled a list of what we think are the top ten spookiest ballets. See if your favorite made the cut. https://sab.org/scenes/our-top-ten-spookiest-ballets/

You still have time to watch the latest in New York City Ballet's Digital Fall Season and catch SAB faculty members Megan Fairchild and Anthony Huxley performing Balanchine's DUO CONCERTANT. Check it out:

Let's get moving this Monday with another peek inside our studios... #InsideSAB

We're excited to share another video in our faculty series today - here's 30 Seconds with Sterling Hyltin! Watch as she shares what it's like to teach while still dancing as a principal at New York City Ballet and how that affects her own performances. Ms. Hyltin was a Teaching Fellow during SAB’s 2014-15 and 2015-16 Winter Terms and joined the School’s permanent faculty in September 2016.

Precision, concentration and strength... All in a day's work for our dancers! Photo: Rosalie O’Connor Photography, 2019

"I'm so proud to be part of an organization that has created a nurturing environment while holding high standards and expectations." We're pleased to feature another one of our National Visiting Fellows today - Aline Neves de Souza-Myers. Aline is a faculty member with the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) and has had a busy year teaching both virtual and in-person classes. "What I love about my work is that our program, offered at no cost, reaches a great number of stud...ents and families who would not otherwise be able to afford such high-quality dance training. This is really near to my heart as I'm grateful for my own amazing tuition-free training in Brazil. I use myself as an example to show my students that if you really dedicate yourself to it you can do it. NOBA provides a lot more than just quality dance education in New Orleans; we have built a community. Our families are comfortable asking for help when needed and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. As a result of that, there's a sense of gratitude that keeps our alumni wanting to come and give back to the community whenever they can (like my former students that were teaching with me this summer). We like to call it the NOBA family. I believe in encouraging my students to always do better and I hold myself to the same standard as a teacher, which to me means to never stop learning. Being part of SAB’s National Visiting Fellows Program is an honor and has proven to be an extraordinary opportunity to improve my teaching career and benefit my community!" Photos courtesy Aline Neves de Souza-Myers & New Orleans Ballet Association

With all the dedication our students have shown this year, there's no question they are living up to this quote from Mr. Balanchine!

Something for your Monday - Watch this lovely piece from ALL ARTS on recent SAB graduate Mira Nadon!

Tomorrow, Saturday, October 10, at 2 PM ET, be sure to tune in to watch New York City Ballet's digital Saturday Matinee. This free digital event includes filmed performances of 3 Balanchine works the whole family is sure to enjoy. The program includes a performance of TARANTELLA with Megan Fairchild and Joaquin De Luz, the first movement of WESTERN SYMPHONY with Abi Stafford and Taylor Stanley, and a performance of SCHERZO À LA RUSSE from 2012, in which you’ll see a corps ma...de up entirely of advanced SAB students! This special Saturday Matinee will be available at nycballet.com, facebook.com/nycballet, and youtube.com/nycballet until Saturday, October 17, at 2pm ET. Photo courtesy New York City Ballet by Paul Kolnik, SCHERZO À LA RUSSE choreography by George Balanchine The George Balanchine Trust.

Remember that anything is "passé"-ble! (Pardon the pun, we couldn't resist!) Photo by Rosalie O'Connor Photography; 2019.