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SAB just announced on Instagram that three of their students just became Apprentices at NYCB: Shelby Mann, Dominika Afanasenkov, and Anna Snellgrove. "New York City Ballet's Winter Season begins tomorrow and we are pleased to announce another group of SAB students who have begun apprenticeships with the Company. Congratulations to Shelby, Dominika, and Anna! "

Also, Ralph Ippolito chose to retire - apparently in March 2021. According to LinkedIn, he is now at Tubi as a “Jr. Content Partnerships Coordinator” and has been working full time for them since March.

And here is the letter from SAB regarding (some of) the new leadership. Jonathan Stafford Appointed SAB Artistic Director February 28, 2019 Dear Friends of SAB, I am writing to share the momentous news that New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet have together selected Jonathan Stafford to be the new Artistic Director of both organizations. In addition, NYCB’s board voted to name Wendy Whelan to the newly created role of Associate Artistic Director at the Company. A joint Search Committee comprised of members of NYCB’s and SAB’s Boards launched the process of selecting new artistic leadership for our organizations last year. The Committee met with more than 20 individuals who care deeply about the futures of NYCB and SAB and presented us with a wealth of options. In the end, the Boards determined that Jon had the vision, experience, and capabilities to lead both the Company and the School into the future. As the School’s next artistic leader, Jon will uphold the standard of excellence for SAB instilled by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein 85 years ago while ably positioning the School for the future alongside our Executive Director Carrie Hinrichs. He has been immersed in the life of the School since first arriving at SAB’s Summer Course in 1996 and has been equally driven throughout his career by his passions for teaching and dancing. In her role as NYCB’s Associate Artistic Director, Wendy Whelan will work closely with Jonathan to contribute her wealth of experience, artistry and creative vision to the Company, and we look forward to welcoming her to our studios as a frequent guest teacher. At the start of his tenure as a New York City Ballet principal dancer in 2007, Jon seized the opportunity to make a substantial commitment to the School. For the past 12 years as a teacher and then as our Professional Placement Manager, Jon has been wholly invested in the development and success of our students. In his recent role overseeing NYCB’s interim artistic leadership team, Jon has worked closely with Chairman of Faculty Kay Mazzo to elevate the School’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, and to further the evolution of our faculty by tapping a new generation of teachers. During this time, he has impressed the Board and his co-workers with his leadership ability and integrity, his understanding of the symbiosis between the School and the Company, and his deep respect for the School’s role in sustaining NYCB’s artistic excellence. We firmly believe that his forward-looking views on upholding the School’s relevance in our ever-changing world will position SAB for continuing success in the future. On behalf of SAB’s Board of Directors, it is my honor to again thank you for your incredible support of our students and faculty. With Jon as our new Artistic Director, we can all look forward to an exciting new era for the School of American Ballet. Sincerely, Barbara M. Vogelstein Chairman of the Board of Directors

I just received the following letter from SAB, announcing Jon Stafford as Artistic Director of both NYCB and SAB, and Wendy Whelan as Associate Artistic Director of NYCB. Jonathan Stafford Appointed SAB Artistic Director February 28, 2019 Dear Friends of SAB, I am writing to share the momentous news that New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet have together selected Jonathan Stafford to be the new Artistic Director of both organizations. In addition, NYCB’s board voted to name Wendy Whelan to the newly created role of Associate Artistic Director at the Company. A joint Search Committee comprised of members of NYCB’s and SAB’s Boards launched the process of selecting new artistic leadership for our organizations last year. The Committee met with more than 20 individuals who care deeply about the futures of NYCB and SAB and presented us with a wealth of options. In the end, the Boards determined that Jon had the vision, experience, and capabilities to lead both the Company and the School into the future. As the School’s next artistic leader, Jon will uphold the standard of excellence for SAB instilled by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein 85 years ago while ably positioning the School for the future alongside our Executive Director Carrie Hinrichs. He has been immersed in the life of the School since first arriving at SAB’s Summer Course in 1996 and has been equally driven throughout his career by his passions for teaching and dancing. In her role as NYCB’s Associate Artistic Director, Wendy Whelan will work closely with Jonathan to contribute her wealth of experience, artistry and creative vision to the Company, and we look forward to welcoming her to our studios as a frequent guest teacher. At the start of his tenure as a New York City Ballet principal dancer in 2007, Jon seized the opportunity to make a substantial commitment to the School. For the past 12 years as a teacher and then as our Professional Placement Manager, Jon has been wholly invested in the development and success of our students. In his recent role overseeing NYCB’s interim artistic leadership team, Jon has worked closely with Chairman of Faculty Kay Mazzo to elevate the School’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, and to further the evolution of our faculty by tapping a new generation of teachers. During this time, he has impressed the Board and his co-workers with his leadership ability and integrity, his understanding of the symbiosis between the School and the Company, and his deep respect for the School’s role in sustaining NYCB’s artistic excellence. We firmly believe that his forward-looking views on upholding the School’s relevance in our ever-changing world will position SAB for continuing success in the future. On behalf of SAB’s Board of Directors, it is my honor to again thank you for your incredible support of our students and faculty. With Jon as our new Artistic Director, we can all look forward to an exciting new era for the School of American Ballet. Sincerely, Barbara M. Vogelstein Chairman of the Board of Directors

Two others who came out were Sascha Radetsky and Flavio Salazar (ex-ABT).

Actually, Diamonds is on the master calendar as part of "Barber, Broadway and Balanchine" on May 3, May 5, and May 7. https://www.nycballet.com/Season-Tickets/18-19-Season-Page/Spring-2019.aspx

Just a quick note about Adrian - he attended the Gala last night, and he looked great in his tuxedo, matching black walking boot, and contrasting silver crutches. We spoke to him briefly (right after he talked with Wendy Whelan, who also looked great), and he seemed in good spirits (considering his injury).

Yes - and he and Tess Reichlen were shown in the opening film as shadowing / second cast for Maria and Adrian. So at least Russell didn’t have to learn the part at the last moment.

Alastair Macaulay posted the complete text of Tess Reichlen’s speech on his Instagram page. This is the first part - click on MORE on Instagram to read the second part.

From The NY Times https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/19/obituaries/arthur-mitchell-dead.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Farts&action=click&contentCollection=arts&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

Just noticed that Ramasar has been pulled from the Fall for Dance program 4, where he Tiler Peck, and Lil Buck were scheduled to dance a new version of Petrouchka. https://www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/2018-2019/FallforDance/

1. The company’s season doesn’t start until 1/23 (after Mr. B’s birthday, which was on 1/22). 2. The first Saturday in the season (1/27) has 2 all-Balanchine programs. 3. At 11 am on 1/27, there is a special program in the auditorium of NYST on Balanchine’s Apollo. The current description of the program (from NYCB’s website) is: “Join us as we explore the masterwork George Balanchine referred to as the “turning point” in his life: Apollo. Choreographed in 1928 for the Ballet Russes, Apollo is one of the oldest Balanchine ballets in NYCB’s repertory and the first major work created with his long-time collaborator Igor Stravinsky. See Apollo anew at this presentation hosted by Principal Dancer Adrian Danchig-Waring.” (Sidenote: it was originally going to be hosted by Peter Martins...) Tickets for the Apollo program may be bought at the NYST box office.

There is no reason to name a replacement at SAB, as Kay Mazzo is already “Co-Chairman of Faculty” (Peter was the other Co-Chairman), so all SAB has to do for now is to remove the “Co-“. Whenever NYCB names a new AD, the issue can be raised as to whether that individual should also take on SAB responsibilities.

Just saw that Darcey Bussell has been named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2018 New Year’s Honduras list. See page 10 of the list. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/671148/NY18_Queens_List_-_Final_.pdf

How about Calvin Royal as replacement for one or two of Gomes’ dates?

In re Jon Stafford - his sister Abi is still a principal with NYCB.

Hoping that it does not come to the dismissal of Martins, I nevertheless toss another potential hat into the ring: Daniel Ulbricht, who is charismatic & young, has organized and toured his own group of dancers for years, and has raised money (ie, good with donors) for the American Cancer Society through his Dance Against Cancer benefits for over 7 years.

Adrian is returning from serious leg injuries (see his Instagram posts from this past year), and Amar is recovering from a shoulder/upper arm injury that required surgery in the spring (again, see his Instagram feed from then). Casting for the third week of this season shows him scheduled for Stravinsky Violin Concerto (a non-lifting role), and Adrian is anticipating performing that same role in the last week of the season. (Casting should be out officially tomorrow.)

They've got Cameron Dieck as another Rothbart. So they're going with the tall dancers now - these three are amongst the tallest of the current crop of corps men.

According to a story on BroadwayWorld.com (https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-News-Betsy-Wolfe-Alexander-Gemignani-and-Margaret-Colin-Join-CAROUSEL-on-Broadway-Full-Cast-Theatre-Announced-20170904) there is a Craig Salstein in the corps of the company. "The ensemble of Carousel features Colin Anderson, Yesenia Ayala, Nicholas Belton, Colin Bradbury, Andrei Chagas, Leigh-Ann Esty, Laura Feig, David Michael Garry, Garett Hawe, Rosena M. Hill Jackson, Amy Justman, Jess LeProtto, Skye Mattox, Adriana Pierce, David Prottas, Craig Salstein, Ahmad Simmons, Antoine L. Smith, Corey John Snide, Erica Spyres, Ryan Steele, Sam Strasfeld, Ricky Ubeda, Scarlett Walker, Jacob Keith Watson, and William Youmans." Note that there are quite a few of these with ballet credentials in that list: Leigh-Ann Esty, Adriana Pierce, and David Prottas, as well as two major SYTYCD alums.

Once you've clicked on the Menu, click on DISCOVER, and you'll see the DANCERS link (there's a photo on the left side of the screen, just below the introductory paragraph). Or you can use this link: http://www.nycballet.com/discover/dancers.aspx.

Christopher spent another year at SAB.

And Austin Bachman has apparently left, again based on the roster, and on Instagram posts by Ghaleb Kayali and Cameron Dieck a few weeks ago.

And don't forget the lone male apprentice this past year: Taylor Stanley also made it into the company (no surprise). This is the first time in my recent memory that ALL of the apprentices got Corps contracts - 10 for 10.

Kathryn Morgan posted (via Twitter) that she is dancing MIRAGE with Robbie on Tuesday and Sat Mat, and with Chase on Wednesday and Sat Eve.