NYC Public Schools Premiere a Ballet

Lizzie Miller | Jun 05, 2009 | 0

Make a Ballet students at Frank Sinatra High School, Photo by Richard Calmes

A few months back Dancer wrote a story about the students at Frank Sinatra HS who are apart of the JP Morgan Chase 'Make a Ballet' program, which brings ABT choreographers and teachers into public schools around the city and facilitates the production of a ballet. Students choreograph, promote, design costumes and, just today, put on a show (in Lincoln Center, no less!). Luckily, Dancer editor Laura Diffenderfer and myself were able to attend the big premiere.

The program consisted of a mix of ABT dancers, Julliard students, and of course the students from various elementary, middle and high schools around the city who are involved in the program. Five short pieces inspired by poems written by NYC school children were also debuted.

The most fun aspect of the whole afternoon is that the show, which took place at The Met at Lincoln Center, was filled almost entirely with school children. The constant shh-ing, cheering for their peers, and clapping along with the music brought the youthful excitement of kids, most of which had never been to the ballet, to the home of such renowned companies as ABT and New York City Ballet.

To read more about the 'Make a Bellet' program, click here.

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Ballet, Teacher, Enthusiast (all tags)