A host of leadership changes has rolled across the dance world over the past several months, including in the dance education sphere. From director shifts to new executive directors and beyond, here are the major educator moves you should know about from winter 2021–22.
Kay Mazzo will retire as chair of faculty at School of American Ballet in June. She will be succeeded by Darla Hoover, who will leave her positions as Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Ballet Academy East’s pre-professional division artistic director in late April. Aesha Ash has been appointed associate chair of faculty. Both appointments will be effective with the start of SAB’s summer session.
Jenna Lavin will succeed Darla Hoover as artistic director of Ballet Academy East in May. Stacey Calvert has been named artistic advisor.
Cynthia Harvey will leave her position as artistic director of American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at the conclusion of the current school year in May. The search for her successor is underway.
Peter Stark succeeded Bojan Spassoff as president and director of The Rock School for Dance Education in February. Stark’s position as associate director of Boston Ballet II will be taken over by Joan Boada in June. Boada will remain as ballet artistic director of the Kirov Academy in Washington, DC, until the school’s closure in May.
Mark Foehringer has been named artistic director of San Jose Dance Theatre, succeeding Linda Hurkmans.
Juan José Escalante has been named executive director of National Dance Institute. Fredrick Earl Mosley has been named the organization’s 2021–22 artist in residence.
Tehvon Fowler-Chapman has been named executive director of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.
Jennifer Holmes has been named executive director of Pace School of Performing Arts at Pace University.
Katie C. Sopoci Drake has been appointed general manager of The Washington School of Ballet, beginning April 1.
Monica Stephenson has been named director of community engagement at Miami City Ballet.
Andrea Bansil has joined Battery Dance as the organization’s education projects manager.
Anindita Neogy Anaam has been elected director of state affiliates for the National Dance Education Organization.
Desmond Richardson has joined Vassar College Dance Program as a teacher and choreographer for the spring 2022 semester.
Noelani Pantastico has joined the faculty of Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet following her retirement from Pacific Northwest Ballet.
