New Jersey Ballet

New Jersey Ballet

For more than half a century, New Jersey Ballet has thrilled audiences from Bergen to Cape May with top quality professional ballet and has given hundreds of thousands of adults and children their first introduction to ballet and inspired in many a lifelong love of the arts.

The founding of New Jersey Ballet created a profound change in the cultural landscape of New Jersey. Over the years, New Jersey Ballet has brought the magic of dance theatre to countless students, children, senior citizens and adults of all ages. During its 26 week season, New Jersey Ballet performs a variety of works from classical, contemporary and jazz ballet at 10 venues throughout the state, and has toured nationally and around the world.

The repertory includes works choreographed by some of the greatest names in the world of dance: Balanchine, deMille, Tudor, Nebrada, North, Pourfarrokh, Taras, Sappington, Renvall, Tomal, Vernon, Vesak, Petipa, Chabukiany, Saint Leon and Bournonville. The company's artistic advisors include 3 of the greatest international dancers of the 20th century -- Edward Villella, Eleanor D'Antuono and Leonid Kozlov -- who coach the dancers in repertory they themselves danced at New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and the Bolshoi.

New Jersey Ballet is proud to be designated a Major Arts Institution by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. In 2009 and 2010, the company was voted New Jersey's Favorite Dance Company in an online poll sponsored by Jersey Arts Marketers.

Since 1958, we have reached audiences in every part of the state, and represented New Jersey in other parts of the country and the world. Our extensive repertory of classical, contemporary and jazz works offers something for every age and taste. In addition, we have one of the largest collections of ballets for children in the country. Our Nutcracker is the longest-running original professional production in the state, which made history when it became the first full length classical ballet to be performed in India. Our highly-acclaimed educational activities have given thousands of aspiring dance students an opportunity to train and perform with professional dancers, and introduced hundreds of thousands of children and adults to the magic of dance theatre, inspiring in many a lifelong love of the arts.

Mission

From the beginning, New Jersey Ballet has been guided by a unique, three-part mission, which continues to define the purpose of the organization and determine the Company’s priorities.

• To give New Jersey a top quality professional ballet company providing exciting dance theatre to audiences in New Jersey, other states and internationally;

• To maintain a repertory, performance schedule and salary range to attract and retain top quality dancers and provide opportunities for new and established choreographers; and

• To provide a valuable supplement to the cultural education of school children of all ages throughout New Jersey.