We are ringing in the New Year here at ARB with a lot of exciting news and some heartfelt good-byes.

The Company just came off a fantastic Nutcracker season.  Thank you to all the artists, venues, crew, staff, volunteers, families and fans who helped make this production a success!  Click here to find links to read some of the wonderful reviews of ARB's Nutcracker!

ARB will be returning to the stage with Ole!: ARB's 27th Annual Gala and Performance on March 10 at 7:00pm at the Patriot's Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton, NJ honoring Alma Concepción and Charles Metcalf for their outstanding contributions to the organization.  Stay tuned for ticket information and click here for sponsorship information.

Watch of clip of Romeo & Juliet at ARB's recent educational performance

On March 17, the company will perform the dynamic and romantic program Spring into Love at 8:00pm at Raritan Valley Community College.  The evening will premiere excerpts from Douglas Martin's lush Romeo and Juliet and feature Gerald Arpino's buoyant work Confetti. 

On the topic of romantic dancing...

Out in the vast ARB Alumni Network, former Company dancers Pedro Gamino and Abigail Tan, who are now dancing with Atlanta Ballet, got engaged during the final curtain call of a Nutcracker performance!  Click here to see pictures of Pedro's proposal in the spotlight!  We wish them all the best.  

Behind-the-scenes at ARB, we are sending well-wishes to two of our wonderful employees as they embark on exciting new journeys. Finance Manager Bei Wang will be leaving after 9 years with the organization to pursue an MBA at Texas A&M University, and Matthew Keefe, Production Manager, Resident Choreographer, and long-time artistic friend of ARB, will be relocating to Illinois as the newly-appointed Artistic Director of Rockford Dance Company. We wish Bei and Matthew our best - they will be greatly missed by the ARB family!

The Access and Enrichment department is kicking off 2012 with expanded On Pointe Enrichment Series events.  Coming up on January 6, 2012, is "The Music of Romeo and Juliet", featuring guest lecturer Simon Morrison, Prokofiev expert, music scholar, and Princeton Professor.  This program is made possible through a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.  Next, on February 24, dance writers, Michael Robertson and Barbara Fox will speak at the event "Watching and Talking about Dance".  All On Pointe events are at 5:15pm at the Princeton Ballet School.  Please see the On Pointe sidebar and follow our blogs for more on these events.

ARB is also pleased to announce that it has expanded its DANCE POWER program into the 2nd grade at Livingston Elementary in New Brunswick.  Currently, DANCE POWER reaches every 3rd grade student in the New Brunswick public school district through the students' physical education curriculum.  Now, ARB's 2nd grade program, designed by ARB Director of Educational Programming, David Sadowsky, will help build language arts skills, creative storytelling, and comprehension by using dance and movement to reinforce and supplement these skills.  Special Thanks to Livingston Elementary Principal Georgette Gonzalez, Language Teacher Heather Lazzaro and ARB Teaching Artist Erika Mero for helping ARB pilot this important program and to Anthony and Marlene Volpe for their support to make this program possible. 

Thank you to all our supporters for helping us reach and exceed our $30,000 winter fundraising goal!  These important contributions help us sustain, improve and expand all of our programs.  

American Repertory Ballet survives and thrives because supporters like you are willing to invest in our mission and vision.  Please continue to support our positive momentum, and help us bring the joy, beauty, artistry and discipline of dance to NJ and beyond.  

Or shop online through iGive and designate American Repertory Ballet as your cause.

"The Music of Romeo and Juliet" January 6, 2012 at 5:15pm

In anticipation of ARB's March premiere of Douglas Martin's new pas de deux from Romeo and Juliet, Prokofiev expert, music scholar, and Princeton University Professor Simon Morrison will discuss Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet.

ARB dancer Karen Leslie Moscato as Juliet; Photo: Peter C. Cook

"Watching and Talking about Dance" February 24, 2012 at 5:15pm

This On Pointe enrichment series event will explore how you, the audience member, can get the most out of your experience at a dance performance.  This free On Pointe event will feature guest lecturers Michael Robertson and Barbara Fox.

Photo Credit: Leighton Chen

On Pointe brings the dance world to you, with guest speakers, lecture demonstrations, performance previews and panel discussions.  For seasoned dance enthusiasts and new students alike.  Held Fridays, once a month, 5:15pm at the Princeton Ballet School's studios, 301 N. Harrison Street in Princeton: