For His Latest LINES Ballet Premiere, Alonzo King Collaborates With Grammy Winner esperanza spalding
Alonzo King, artistic director of his LINES Ballet, choreographs dances that flow like water, constantly splashing into new ideas. His creative process prioritizes deep collaboration with dancers, designers, and musicians—an approach that will be on display as Alonzo King LINES Ballet continues its 44th home season. Running from April 11–19 at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena […]
Glen Tetley at 100: Celebrating the Choreographer Who Bridged Ballet and Modern Dance
These days, it’s de rigueur for ballet choreographers to incorporate modern-dance–inspired steps into their works, or for companies to commission pieces by contemporary choreographers—just think of Wayne McGregor, Sharon Eyal, and Crystal Pite. But this wasn’t always the case. American choreographer Glen Tetley (1926–2007), whose centenary is being celebrated this year, is credited as one […]
5 Lessons I Learned in Ballet That Can Also Apply to Financial Planning
On a typical day, I spend hours in the studio refining and rehearsing, perfecting each step into an orchestrated whole. Then I head to an economics lecture at the University of California, Los Angeles, where I’m studying incentives, markets, and compound growth. At first, ballet and economics appear to have little in common. For a […]
Oklahoma City Ballet’s Randolph Fernandez Reflects on His Brain Tumor Recovery
In June of 2025, I fainted face-first while walking home. The season had just ended, and I was in the best shape of my life. I’ve always been a healthy person, so it was completely unexpected. The last thing I remember was sending a text to my girlfriend, [fellow dancer] Leah Reiter, telling her that […]
Adult Ballet Students: These 2026 Summer Intensives Are Just for You
It may feel as though spring has sprung, but summer is just a tour jeté away. If you’re an adult ballet student looking to elevate your training, try a new studio, or embrace an all-day dance challenge, check out these summer intensives designed especially for you. Arizona Ballet Arizona Summer Workshop June 15–17, Phoenix Head […]
Your April 2026 Roster Roundup: Dancers and Directors on the Move
The past few weeks have brought another exciting round of ballet career news—check out the latest farewells, appointments, promotions, and more in your April 2026 roster roundup. Promotions and Appointments On March 28, San Francisco Ballet’s Katherine Barkman was promoted to principal onstage following her performance as Kitri in Don Quixote. At Miami City Ballet, […]
Renversons, a New NYC-Based Company, Aims to Be a Game Changer for Freelance Dancers
At Ballet Academy East in New York City, the six women dancers of Renversons Contemporary Ballet quickly switch between Keds, ballet slippers, and pointe shoes during a run-through of the group’s upcoming performance. In a rousing sneaker ballet, one dancer lifts another upside down, her body spiraling, while another tour jetés into her partner’s arms, […]
Val Caniparoli on Leaving San Francisco Ballet to Focus on Choreography—After More Than Five Decades Onstage
For 53 years, San Francisco Ballet audiences have watched Val Caniparoli disappear into a character, whether the eccentric Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker, the titular errant knight in Don Quixote, or the menacing Herod in Arthur Pita’s Salome. A dancer with the company since 1973 and a principal character dancer since 1985, he’s also a prolific choreographer. Caniparoli has created more […]
4 Women in Dance, Paid Tribute by 4 Ballet Artists They Inspired
This Women’s History Month, we’re thinking about all of those in the ballet industry who have not only helped lay the groundwork for our art form, but have actively supported the next generation as teachers, role models, and friends. To celebrate, we asked dance artists and leaders to talk about the influential women who have […]
What Dancers, Teachers, and Directors Need to Know About Concussions
When people hear the word “concussion,” they may picture a football player or mixed martial artist. But sport isn’t the only high-contact activity that can result in head injury—dancing can lead to concussions too. High-contact partnering, daring lifts, and tricky choreography put artists at risk for collisions and falls. “Dance is an increasingly athletic art,” […]