New York City’s leading center for complete ballet education, Ballet Academy East (BAE) today announced its 13th annual Winter Performance series taking place at New York Live Arts, March 1-3, 2019. Approximately 135 students from BAE’s Pre-Professional Division will perform four new ballets by BAE alumni Ariel Rose (Miami City Ballet) and Christopher McDaniel (Dance Theatre of Harlem), current BAE student Alma Reiss-Navarre, and BAE School Principal Jenna Lavin. The program also includes two works by Balanchine: Valse-Fantaisie staged by BAE’s Pre-Professional Division Artistic Director Darla Hoover and the “Elégie” section of Tchaikovsky Suite No. 3 staged by Deborah Wingert (Faculty at Juilliard and Manhattan Youth Ballet). (Scroll below for complete program details.)

“We look forward to this program with a great sense of pride,” says Darla Hoover, Artistic Director of BAE’s Pre-Professional Division. “Welcoming BAE alumni back to create on our current students represents the full circle educational environment that BAE strives to create. As we approach our 40th anniversary, we look forward to continuing to provide this kind of diverse programming that delights, educates and engages our loyal audiences and our talented young dancers.”

The evening’s program includes the world premiere of Elysium, a contemporary work for 16 dancers. Created by BAE alumnus and current member of Miami City Ballet, Ariel Rose, Elysium embodies facets of friendships, support, community, love, and jubilance. Another work for large group is a piece by BAE alumnus and current member of Dance Theatre of Harlem, Christopher McDaniel. Inspired by his mother who passed away in 2018, the work is about “simply gratitude,” said McDaniel. “Though I have had a hard past few months, I find strength in practicing gratitude for all the support and love I do have. I am also most grateful for Dance itself. This ballet is a celebration!”

Following last year’s BAE choreographic debut, 16-year old BAE student Alma Reiss-Navarre returns with the premiere of Bordel 1900 inspired by the music of the same name by Astor Piazzolla. Rounding out the program’s world premieres is a new sprightly ballet by Jenna Lavin, Principal of BAE’s Pre-Professional Division, who has choreographed over 20 ballets for BAE. As an extension of the school’s education based on the classical traditions projected forward by George Balanchine, the students will perform two Balanchine works: Valse-Fantaisie and the “Elégie” section of Tchaikovsky Suite No. 3

Hailed for their “expressive dancing, dramatic nuanced touches, and nicely synchronized corps work (Ballet Focus),” BAE students captivate audiences and critics alike in their annual showcase. According to Art Times Journal, it is an “evening of ballet superior to the work of many professional companies.” The New York Times cited: “Upper bodies are beautifully open; legwork is firm and clear; beaten steps are fleet…I was completely interested in the complex details shown, and by the individual skills of each dancer…Above all, everything here found life in the keenness with which all these dancers engaged with their music.”

About Ballet Academy East Pre-Professional Division

The BAE Pre-Professional Division is celebrated for producing technically strong and artistically expressive dancers who are sought after for their professionalism and ability to adapt to a broad range of styles demanded of today’s dance professionals. Alumni include Ariel Rose and Petra Love (Miami City Ballet), Siobhan Howley (Pennsylvania Ballet), Hannah Marshall (American Ballet Theatre), and Erica Pereira (New York City Ballet), to name a few. The comprehensive ballet training is combined with professional-caliber performance opportunities. The year-round curriculum includes technique, pointe, partnering, variations, stretch, men’s classes, modern and character. Students are ages seven to 19 and are accepted through an audition process.

About Ballet Academy East

With a vision of inspiring dancers of all ages and levels to achieve their greatest potential, director, Julia Dubno, founded Ballet Academy East (BAE) in 1979. Today BAE is New York City’s leading center for complete ballet education, internationally recognized for its exceptional training. The school’s Young Dancer, Pre- Professional and Adult Divisions nurture students’ physical and emotional well-being, build technical skills, and develop artistry. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Darla Hoover BAE’s Pre-Professional Division offers comprehensive ballet training with professional-caliber performance opportunities to prepare students for success in the dance world. BAE’s proven syllabus creates technically strong, artistically expressive dancers who adapt easily to the broad range of styles required of today’s professionals. balletacademyeast.com

Program Details (subject to change)

*world premiere

Elysium*
Choreographer: Ariel Rose
Dancers: 12 girls and four boys (names TBA)
Music: Arcangelo Corelli

Title TBA*
Choreographer: Christopher McDaniel
Dancers: 10 girls and boys (names TBA)
Composer: TBA

Bordel 1900*
Choreographer: Alma Reiss-Navarre
Dancers: TBA
Music: Bordel 1900 by Astor Piazzolla

Title TBA*
Choreographer: Jenna Lavin
Dancers: TBA
Music: L’Arlésienne Suite No. 1 by Georges Bizet

Valse-Fantaisie (1967)
Choreographer: George Balanchine
Dancers: Six (names TBA)
Music: Valse Fantaisie in B Minor by Mikhail Glinka
Staged by: Darla Hoover

“Elégie” from Tchaikovsky Suite No. 3 (1970)
Choreographer: George Balanchine
Dancers: Eight (names TBA)
Music: Suite No. 3 in G Major, Op. 55 by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Staged by: Deborah Wingert

When: Friday, March 1, 2019, at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, March 2, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. + 5:00 p.m., Sunday March 3, 2019, at 2:00 p.m.

Where: New York Live Arts, 219 West 19th Street, New York, Train: 1 to 18th Street, 2/3/F/M/L/A/C/E to 14th Street.

Tickets: General $55. To purchase, visit NewYorkLiveArts.org or by telephone 212.924.0077. Tickets go on sale January 7, 2019.