ABT Announces Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School

[Alexandra]

AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE ANNOUNCES

JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS SCHOOL

Auditions to be Held June 12 at ABT Headquarters

American Ballet Theatre has named its school in honor of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, it was announced yesterday by Kevin McKenzie, ABT Artistic Director and Caroline Kennedy.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis served as a member of ABT’s board of trustees for more than 25 years and was Honorary Chairman of ABT until the time of her death in 1994. Her daughter, Caroline Kennedy, has continued her mother’s legacy, serving as Honorary Chairman of ABT since 1995.

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre, formerly ABT’s Studio Company Associate Program, is a pre-professional training program which began in January 2004 and is currently training students aged 15-18 at the Company’s 890 Broadway rehearsal studios. The program is designed to accommodate the academic schedule of students and aims to provide the highest quality training consistent with the professional standards of ABT. The program’s artistic mission is to develop dancers with a strong classical technique who can adapt to the multiple stylistic demands of the ABT repertoire.

“The naming of this new school honors Jackie’s long association with American Ballet Theatre,” said McKenzie. “We believe this program is the seed for a national presence that will bring the highest quality of dance training to students at our flagship school in New York City, while also incorporating a substantive teacher training program for instructors across the nation.”

On continuing her mother’s legacy, Caroline Kennedy said, “I can think of no greater tribute to my mother. She loved visiting the rehearsal studios at ABT and watching the dancers perform. I look forward to working with all of you to make this dream a reality.”

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre, under the artistic direction of John Meehan, includes a curriculum of classical technique, pointe, partnering, pas de deux, character, modern technique and Pilates. Faculty members include members of ABT’s Artistic Staff, ABT alumni and other prominent teachers. Students will be accepted based on merit, and scholarships will be available based on need.

Auditions for the fall semester of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre will be held June 12 at 890 Broadway, New York, NY. For audition information, please call 212-477-3030, ext. 3281 or contact ssiegel@abt.org.