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,” […]
How Above Ballet Company Is Raising the Standard of Ballet Training in Nigeria
Ayomi Tsalu’s love for dance all began with the 2001 film Save the Last Dance. The movie was Tsalu’s first introduction to classical ballet at age 12, and he was hooked—dreaming of one day studying dance but having no opportunities in his hometown in Nigeria. Ayomi Tsalu. Photo by Gideon Hezekiah, courtesy Tsalu. Tsalu first stepped […]
Nureyev Resurfaces at Staatsballett Berlin
Rudolf Nureyev led a life packed with drama: his famous defection from the Soviet Union in 1961; his tempestuous eccentricity and sexual escapades; his global stardom; his command over the Paris Opéra Ballet as artistic director in the 1980s; his tragically early death from AIDS at 54. Yuri Possokhov’s ballet Nureyev, which premiered at the […]
Ballet Austin’s Marie Antoinette: Vampire Queen of Versailles Blends History With the Supernatural
Marie Antoinette (1755–1793), with her sizable wigs, opulent gowns, and untimely demise at the guillotine, is one of history’s most recognizable figures. The Austrian princess, who married France’s future King Louis XVI in May 1770, at age 14, ascended to the throne four years later. Thanks to her Austrian roots and lavish spending habits, she […]
A College Ballet Dancer’s Guide to Professional Auditions
Looking back at the spring semester of my senior year at Butler University, one thing immediately comes to mind: auditions. On top of schoolwork, rehearsals, jobs, and other obligations, my fellow dance majors and I spent any remaining hours in pursuit of a contract. Audition seasons are tough for anyone, especially the first time around. […]
Are You Actually Warm? The Anatomy of a Proper Ballet Warm-Up
It’s common knowledge that dancers have to warm up before jumping into class, rehearsal, or a performance. But what does “being warm” actually mean? Should it involve intense stretching or exercise? Do you need to be sweating? The anatomy of a proper ballet warm-up is surprisingly simple, but it might not be what dancers expect. […]