Who Started the New York City Ballet?

Ballet

The New York City Ballet (NYCB) is a world-renowned ballet company that has been performing since 1948. Founded by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, the NYCB is one of the foremost dance companies in the world. Balanchine and Kirstein worked together for several years to create what would become the longest continuously-operating ballet company in the United States.

George Balanchine was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and trained at the Imperial Ballet School, where he was exposed to a wide range of music, styles, and techniques. He became a principal dancer and choreographer at Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes before immigrating to America in 1933. In 1934 he joined forces with Lincoln Kirstein to form the School of American Ballet in New York City.

Lincoln Kirstein was born into an affluent family in Rochester, New York. He attended Harvard University where he studied literature and art history before becoming interested in ballet.

After graduating from Harvard, Kirstein moved to London and then Paris where he witnessed performances by leading European ballet companies such as Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. Upon returning to America in 1933 he formed a partnership with George Balanchine.

Kirstein envisioned a company that would combine classical ballet technique with contemporary music and choreography, while Balanchine sought to create an American style of ballet based on his training at the Imperial Ballet School. The two men worked tirelessly together, establishing a school of dance as well as bringing guest artists from Europe to perform on stage. Finally, after several years of hard work they founded the New York City Ballet in 1948.

In conclusion, it is clear that both George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein played essential roles in starting what would become one of America’s most influential dance companies – The New York City Ballet. From their initial partnership at Harvard University until their founding of the NYCB in 1948, these two men displayed true grit and dedication that has left an indelible mark on American dance history.