The
highly anticipated Workshop Performance Benefit of The School of American
Ballet was held on June 1, 2009 at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Lincoln
Center. The annual Workshop Performances are the School's only
public performances and offered the rare opportunity to get a sneak
preview of the ballet world's up and coming young stars. An
all-Balanchine program in celebration of the School's 75th anniversary
year featured Serenade, the first ballet George Balanchine choreographed
in America using students from SAB in 1934. Serenade, also celebrating
its 75th anniversary, endures as a classic work that is performed today
by ballet companies around the world.
A benefit dinner followed the Monday evening performance, and attracted
more than 550 arts patrons, corporate VIPs and New York's social
elite for a seated dinner and dancing in the SAB studios, which were
transformed into elegant dining rooms for the evening.
Mr. & Mrs. Howard Solomon were honorary chairmen. Stuart H.
Coleman, Amy Mazzola Flynn, Carolyn Wright-Lewis & Edward Lewis were
event chairmen. Dinner chairmen were Jack Watters and Matthew White and
Young Patron chairmen were Elizabeth Darst and Genevieve Labean.
Guests included Stuart H. Coleman, Camille Cosby, Elizabeth Darst,
Effie & Robert Fribourg,
Dr. Judith Ginsburg & Dr. Paul Le Clerc,
Carole Divet Harting & Bruce
Harting, Pamela Joyner, Jill Kargman, Elena Kiam, Genevieve Labean,
Alexandra Lebenthal & Jay Diamond, Reginald Van Lee, Carolyn Wright-Lewis & Edward
Lewis, Peter Martins
& Darci Kistler, Amy Mazzola Flynn, Paul McGill, Gillian Minter,
Philip Neal,
Liz & Jeff Peek, Betsy & Rob Pitts, Mr. & Mrs. Howard Solomon,
Jock Soto, Jonathan Stafford & Brittany Pollack,
Barbara & John Vogelstein, Jack Watters, Matthew White, Guy Yelda,
and Will Zeckendorf.
Proceeds from the Workshop Performance Benefit support all aspects
of the students' training, including an extensive $1.3 million
scholarship program ensuring that all children who are accepted to
the School – including those from disadvantaged backgrounds – are
able to attend.
