New York City Ballet

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Logo of the New York City Ballet

New York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein with musical director Leon Barzin. The company grew from an earlier troupe known as the Ballet Society. The name was changed on the occasion of becoming the resident company of City Center of Music and Drama in 1948. On April 20, 1964, the Company moved into the New York State Theater, designed by Philip Johnson, to the specifications of Mr. Balanchine. New York City Ballet went on to become the first ballet company in the United States to have two permanent venue engagements: one at Lincoln Center's New York State Theater on 63rd Street in Manhattan, and another at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, in Saratoga Springs, NY. School of American Ballet is the associated school of New York City Ballet.

After the move to the State Theater, the repertory became dominated by the works of Balanchine, who remained its ballet master until his death in 1983, but his works were complemented by those of choreographer Jerome Robbins, who resumed his connection with the company in 1969. City Ballet, as it is commonly known, still has the largest repertoire by far of any American ballet company, often staging 60 ballets or more in its winter and spring seasons at Lincoln Center each year and 20 or more ballets in its summer season in Saratoga Springs. The NYC Ballet has performed The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet (later this year) A Midsummer Night's Dream and many more.

Peter Martins (who first danced with the company in 1967) is currently the Ballet Master in Chief.* The New York City Ballet has featured many great performers since its formation, including Jacques d'Amboise, Maria Tallchief, Diana Adams, Edward Villella, Melissa Hayden, Jillana, Gelsey Kirkland, Conrad Ludlow, Suzanne Farrell, Allegra Kent, Tanaquil LeClerq, Darci Kistler, and Peter Martins.