“A ballet is a movement in time and space, a living moment. Like a hothouse flower, it blooms, then dies. A ballet is life.”
Coaching Phlegmatic and Choleric
In the first coaching of 2024, Colleen Neary and Adam Luders coached the Choleric and Phlegmatic sections of Four Temperaments. Diving into the nuances of the principal and corps de ballet roles, the coaches shared the dynamism, energy and elegance of this timeless work.
Celebrating 90 Years of SAB at the New York Public Library
On March 18, 2024, we co-hosted a discussion at the Bruno Walter Auditorium featuring a panel moderated by Steven Caras, live demonstrations of classroom work by students from SAB, and insight into how Balanchine built off a Russian training in his choreography and style.
A recording of the event is available for viewing at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
Remembering Mel
It is with profound sadness that The George Balanchine Foundation mourns the passing of our cherished President, Melvin (Mel) Schierman. His stalwart devotion to the legacies of George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein was boundless and invaluable, and for over two decades he has been the gentle, dignified heart and soul of The Balanchine Foundation. Our deepest condolences to his family, especially his beloved wife Alex, and to all who loved him as we did.
Apollo's Muses
Continuing the exploration of Balanchine’s seminal Apollo, Kay Mazzo, Francia Russell and Suki Schorer coached the muses July 9-10, 2023 and were interviewed by Alastair Macaulay. American Ballet Theater’s principal dancer Devon Teuscher and soloist Chloe Misseldine were joined by principal New York City Ballet dancer Isabella LaFreniere and former principal Robert Fairchild to dance the pas d’action, pas de deux, three female variations, coda and the Apotheosis or ascent to Parnassus.
Love, loss and tragedy in The Steadfast Tin Soldier
This Hans Christian Andersen-inspired duet, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, conveys the story of a tin soldier’s love of a paper doll, brought to life in the coaching on June 4, 2023 by current NYCB soloist Erica Pereira and principal Roman Mejia, accompanied by NYCB rehearsal pianist Michael Scales. Coaches Patricia McBride and Peter Schaufuss shared insights they learned directly from Balanchine as originals in the roles.
