Today marks the 109th anniversary of the birth of George Balanchine, founder of the New York City Ballet and shirker of convention. He changed the course of classical ballet with his music-driven approach to movement. His distinctive style and repertoire of over 400 ballets survive today through his company and its training ground at the School of American Ballet.
Suki Shorer, now in her 41st year as a SAB faculty member, was hand-picked by Balanchine to teach soon after she joined NYCB in 1959. Here, Shorer demonstrates how she teaches a fondu in Mr. B’s distinctive style:
Photo courtesy NYCB Archives, Ballet Society Collection