#SAB90 – SAB holds the first Student Choreography Workshop
Over the past 90 years, the School of American Ballet has contributed immeasurably to the artistic life of America: giving birth to an internationally acclaimed ballet company, shaping generations of finely trained dancers, and establishing an American style of classical ballet that stands alongside the French and Russian classical traditions. Learn more about the School’s history and influence as we share monumental moments in honor of #SAB90.
While the primary goal of SAB’s training is to prepare dancers for the professional stage, the art of dance making has also been integral to the Company and the School. Co-Founder George Balanchine himself was one of the most prolific and influential choreographers of the 20th century, creating a multitude of timeless works that are still performed today.
“If there is a hero, it is choreography” -Lincoln Kirstein
In 1997, SAB began its annual Student Choreography Workshop which provided students the opportunity to flex their choreographic skills by creating new works on their peers. The purpose of the program was to give students the tools and a supportive environment to explore their creativity as choreographers, not just dancers. Over the years, the program has fostered the choreographic talents of some of today’s most accomplished and renowned choreographers, many of whom have returned to craft new pieces for students at the School. Take a look back on some of our accomplished alumni who got their start at the Student Choreography Workshop!
1997
One of the first participants in this new program was Melissa Barak, former New York City Ballet dancer and current Artistic Director of Los Angeles Ballet. After leaving the School, she was invited to choreograph a piece, Telemann Overture Suite in E Minor, for SAB’s 2001 Workshop Performances. The work was subsequently performed by New York City Ballet the following year. In the years since, Barak has created ballets for NYCB and other renowned companies before assuming her role as Artistic Director of LAB in 2022.
2000
Zalman Raffael participated in the Student Choreography Workshop in 2000, 2001, and 2004 while a student at the School. He went on to join the corps de ballet at Carolina Ballet, and continued his choreographic journey there, where he made original pieces for the company. He became Carolina Ballet’s first ever Resident Choreographer, and now serves as the company’s Artistic Director and CEO.
2002
Another participant in the earlier years was Ted Seymour, who participated in two Student Choreography Workshops while at the School. Seymour has served as the Resident Choreographer at Ballet Chicago since 2012.
2005
New York City Ballet Resident Choreographer and Artistic Advisor Justin Peck created his first-ever piece for the Student Choreography Workshop in 2005. Since then, his prolific career has spanned both ballet and Broadway, making original works for NYCB and choreography for acclaimed musicals and films. Peck returned to SAB to set In Creases, the first piece he choreographed for NYCB, on students for the 2018 Workshop Performances. Since 2022, he has served as a mentor to current students as they participate in the choreography workshop.
2008
Another choreographer who has already made her mark on the dance world, Lauren Lovette, got her start in the 2008 Student Choreography Workshop. While still a dancer with New York City Ballet, she was invited to create three original works for the company. Her talent quickly gained recognition, leading to commissions from prestigious organizations like ABT Studio Company and the Vail International Dance Festival. Lovette, a former principal dancer with NYCB, retired from performing in 2021 to focus solely on her choreography career. In 2022 she was named Resident Choreographer for the Paul Taylor Dance Company. She has returned to SAB over the years, serving as a mentor to students participating in the choreography workshop, choreographing a virtual piece for summer students in 2020, and most recently, to choreograph an original piece, Tendu, for SAB’s 2024 Workshop Benefit.
2010
Im 2010, Emily Kikta created her first piece in the Student Choreography Workshop. That same year, she joined New York City Ballet to begin her professional career as a dancer. While continuing to dance, she also pursued her passion for choreography, creating both works for the stage and dance films. Over the years, Kikta has returned to SAB to present new works for special events like Winter Ball and the Summer Choreography Workshop. She was appointed SAB’s first ever Female Choreography Fellow during the 2022-23 Winter Term.
2014
Gilbert Bolden III participated in three Student Choreography Workshops (2014, 2015, 2016) while a student at SAB. After joining New York City Ballet, he continued to hone his choreographic skill, and was invited to create the pièce d’occasion for SAB’s annual Winter Ball in 2020 and 2022.
2015
Gianna Reisen’s first experience with choreography took place at the 2015 Student Choreography Workshop, which sparked her passion for ballet-making. She would go on to be the youngest choreographer to create an original work for New York City Ballet in 2017. She maintained a close relationship with SAB over the last decade. During the pandemic, she directed and choreographed two short films for the School. In 2022, she created Signs for SAB’s Workshop Performances which is slated to premier at the Company this fall.
For 27 years, the Student Choreography Workshop has served as a springboard for some of the brightest choreographers in our field, emphasizing the School’s goals of excellence in dance and innovation in choreography.
