The Montgomery Ballet appoints Lazar new AD

[Dale]

A press release:

PRISCILLA CROMMELIN-BALL, DIRECTOR OF THE MONTGOMERY BALLET, ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF ELIE LAZAR AS NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Priscilla Crommelin-Ball announces with pleasure the appointment of Elie Lazar as new Artistic Director of The Montgomery Ballet's Professional Company and School. Mr. Lazar follows a decade of leadership by Ms. Crommelin-Ball, who will continue with the Company in the capacity of Executive Director.

Mr. Lazar was first introduced to the Montgomery audience with his acclaimed February 2007 staging of "Swan Lake" Act II. Lazar, in turn, was impressed with the expertise and artistry of the company and training. Mr. Lazar's tenure will begin during the summer when he will direct The Montgomery Ballet's Summer Intensive Seminar, July 2-20. The first performance of The Montgomery Ballet's 50th Anniversary Season will take place July 20 and will feature classical ballets as well as new contemporary works by Lazar.

Elie Lazar, a well-known dancer/teacher/choreographer, has been praised for his creative contemporary choreography, firmly based in the classical tradition. The Company looks forward to achieving the next level of excellence under Lazar's guidance, and to the continuation of its classical tradition, while adding new classics, neo-classical and contemporary ballets to its existing repertory.

As a dancer, Mr. Lazar was the first Israeli to win a medal at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. He danced professionally with the Israel National Ballet, the Haifa Ballet, the New Jersey Ballet, and in guest appearances around the world.

Lazar directed the Joffrey Ensemble Dancers, NYC, as well as his own Lazar Ballet NYC. He designed an educational program of lecture-demonstrations to educate school children about the art of ballet, and implemented a dancer program for inner city, at risk youth in New York and New Jersey. His teaching credits include Broadway Dance Center in NYC, East Carolina University, New Jersey Ballet, U. of Kansas City, Tokyo City Ballet, and the Southeast Regional Ballet Association.

Mr. Lazar is dedicated to the goal of making The Montgomery Ballet the best professional company and school in the Southeast.