The School of American Ballet in New York celebrates its 90th anniversary

The institution co-founded by George Balanchine celebrated Monday evening at Lincoln Center.

When the Choreographer George Balanchine co-founded the School of American Ballet in New York in 1934, the last thing on many people's minds was dancing. The United States was still emerging from the Great Depression, and children often left school to work.

But nevertheless, the 29-year-old Balanchine believed that he dance school was crucial to creating a professional ballet company, which would become the New York City Ballet. Today, 90 years later, the school he opened with 32 students has become the most prestigious academy for young dancers in the United States.

Nearly 800 students from 34 states and 12 countries were enrolled at the school's Lincoln Center campus last fiscal year, and graduates serve as artistic directors of more than 18 ballet programs across the country, including the Los Angeles Ballet, Miami City Ballet and New York City Ballet.

“You would think things were at a standstill during the war,” Coco Kopelman said , an alumna of the school who has served on its board of directors for nearly 30 years. “But artists still painted, music was still made, the arts continued.”

ImageCoco Kopelman, center, an alumna of the school who has served on its board of trustees for 30 years, with her daughter, Jill Kargman, right, and granddaughters Ivy Kargman, left, and Sadie Kargman.

ImageAmanda Brotman, a designer.

ImageFern Clausius, a designer.

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