Who Is Retiring From NYC Ballet?

Ballet

Who is Retiring from NYC Ballet?

New York City Ballet (NYCB) has recently announced that principal dancer Abi Stafford will be retiring at the end of June 2021. The news came as a shock to fans and fellow dancers alike, as Stafford had been performing with the company for nearly 20 years.

Stafford began her career with NYCB in 2002, when she was just 14 years old and studying at the School of American Ballet. She quickly rose through the ranks, joining the corps de ballet in 2004, becoming an apprentice in 2006, and eventually being promoted to soloist in 2008. In 2011 she was promoted to principal dancer—a coveted position that only a few dancers are able to achieve.

Throughout her career with NYCB, Stafford has performed many iconic roles, such as Swanilda in Coppélia and Kitri in Don Quixote. She also created roles in some of the company’s more recent works, such as Christopher Wheeldon’s 2013 production of The Winter’s Tale and Justin Peck’s 2016 production ofThe Times Are Racing.

In addition to her impressive performance career, Stafford is also a dedicated teacher and mentor for young dancers at NYCB’s school-affiliated Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School (JKO). She has trained hundreds of students who have gone on to join companies around the world and become successful professional dancers themselves.

While her retirement from NYCB is certainly bittersweet for both fans and fellow dancers alike, it is clear that Stafford will continue to be an influential figure within the dance world long after her final performance with NYCB this summer.

Conclusion:

After an impressive 20-year career with New York City Ballet that included iconic roles such as Swanilda in Coppélia and Kitri in Don Quixote as well as creating roles for more recent productions like The Winter’s Tale and The Times Are Racing, principal dancer Abi Stafford has announced her retirement from NYCB effective June 2021. While she will be missed by fans and fellow dancers alike, there is no doubt that Stafford’s influence on the dance world will continue long after her final performance this summer.