Mission & History
American Repertory Ballet (ARB) is a nonprofit organization that works to bring the joy, beauty, artistry, and discipline of classical and contemporary dance to New Jersey and beyond. ARB was founded in 1954 by Audrée Estey, a dancer and advocate who believed in the power of art to express what words cannot. The organization began as a small dance school and has grown to three distinct, but unified parts:
- American Repertory Ballet: The preeminent classical and contemporary ballet company in the state.
- Princeton Ballet School: Offering world-class dance training for students ages 3 to 93.
- Access & Enrichment: Education and outreach initiatives that bring dance to children and families in the community.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Ethan Stiefel, American Repertory Ballet (ARB) is New Jersey’s preeminent professional ballet company, presenting classical and contemporary works to engage and inspire audiences. Founded in 1963 as part of the Princeton Ballet Society, ARB has been designated a “Major Arts Institution” by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. The Company has also been awarded a Citation of Excellence by the Council, and frequently voted the Jersey Arts People’s Choice Award for “Favorite Dance Company.”
Princeton Ballet School (PBS) has gained a national reputation for its excellent dance training since its founding in 1954 by Audrée Estey. Under the direction of Aydmara Cabrera, PBS currently serves approximately 800 students, starting at age three, and includes a large open division for adults. PBS has studios in Cranbury, New Brunswick and Princeton and offers classes in ballet, modern dance, jazz, hip-hop, and flamenco. Students from the school have gone on to dance in professional ballet and contemporary dance companies in the US and abroad. Graduates have danced with such diverse organizations as New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Miami City Ballet, Complexions, Mark Morris Dance Company, Ballet West and on Broadway.
ARB’s Access & Enrichment (A&E) programs include our flagship residency program, DANCE POWER, which is the longest continuously running community/arts partnership in the state. All 3rd grade students in New Brunswick receive DANCE POWER in their physical education class for 20 weeks, and 40 scholarships are awarded to students each year so they can continue their dance education at Princeton Ballet School. Other A&E programs include Dance for Parkinson’s and DANCE POWER Limitless, for children with differing abilities.
Locations
Princeton Ballet School has studios in Princeton, Cranbury, and New Brunswick.
Bookings & Rentals
For booking and rental information, please contact Julie Diana Hench: [email protected]
For costume information, please call Janessa Cornell Urwin, Wardrobe Supervisor, at (609) 921 – 7758.
Contact
Information
Our administrative team is committed to assisting our students and their families. To get in contact with us please fill out the form below and someone will reach out soon.
Meet the Board of Trustees
Our board of trustees is an accomplished group of individuals whose focus is on the management of ARB organization. The four officers and 13 members are united under the same goal of maintaining excellence in dance training and the commitment to their students and their families, our faculties, and our staff.
Employment
Opportunities
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Accessibility
American Repertory Ballet strives to ensure that all aspects of our programs and services are accessible to people with disabilities.