NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – American Repertory Ballet (ARB) is pleased to announce the addition of Jo-Ann Munoz to its Board of Trustees, effective immediately.  Munoz, a resident of Princeton, N.J., brings with her the knowledge she has learned from her work in both the corporate and non-profit world, along with her lifelong love for ballet.

Munoz attended Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., graduating with a BA.  She went on to pursue a career in advertising, working at the agencies of J. Walter Thompson, Ogilvy & Mather and McCann-Erickson in New York, N.Y.  In 1997, Munoz retired as Senior Vice President at McCann-Erickson Advertising.

Upon retiring from McCann-Erickson, Munoz moved to Princeton, N.J., where she resides with her husband, Tim Munoz, and her two children.  Munoz’s daughter, Emily, attended American Repertory Ballet’s Princeton Ballet School from 1998 through 2011 and is currently a freshman at Pitzer College in Claremont, C.A., where she continues to dance.  Munoz’s son, Chris, is a freshman at Princeton High School.

From 2004 to 2010, Munoz worked in the non-profit sector as the Director of Communications for D&R Greenway Land Trust.  Located in Princeton, N.J., D&R Greenway Land Trust is a highly respected organization because of success in preserving over 15,000 acres of land in New Jersey.

In 2010, Munoz re-entered the corporate world as Account Director for Ferrara & Company Advertising and Marketing, based in Princeton, N.J., leading business for both Church & Dwight, Inc. and Chattem, Inc.

Before being named to ARB’s Board of Trustees, Munoz was already heavily involved with the organization.  She served on the Marketing Committee from 2005 to present and co-chaired the company’s annual Gala events from 2007-2009.   “I am honored to support and promote American Repertory Ballet,” explained Munoz.  “This outstanding institution brings the thrilling and moving artistry of dance to residents on New Jersey – and beyond.  The wonderful professional company, under the direction of Douglas Martin, presents the finest classical and contemporary ballet. The training provided by Princeton Ballet School, under the leadership of Mary Pat Robertson, is superb and the organization’s access and enrichment programs bring ballet and dance to a wide and diverse audience.”

Jo-Ann will be a great asset to American Repertory Ballet,” says Managing Director, Christine Chen.  “She has been a wonderful supporter and advocate of the organization for years, and her breath of knowledge and expertise, in both non-profit and corporate marketing and communications, will help drive our efforts forward.”

ARB’s Upcoming Performances and Events
American Repertory Ballet opens its 49th annual production of The Nutcracker at McCarter Theatre in Princeton, N.J., this Thanksgiving weekend and runs through December 18th at various venues in the area.  Performances of The Nutcracker will take place at McCarter Theater Nov. 25 at 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM, Nov. 26 at 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM and Nov. 27 at 1:00 PM; TD Bank Arts Centre in Sewell, N.J., Dec. 3 at 6:00 PM; Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, Trenton, N.J., Dec. 10 at 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM; and State Theatre, New Brunswick, N.J., Dec. 17 at 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM and Dec. 18 at 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM.  Munoz and her husband will perform in the first act Party Scene on November 25th December 10th and December 18th.

About American Repertory Ballet
American Repertory Ballet's mission is to bring the joy, beauty, artistry and discipline of classical and contemporary dance to New Jersey and nationwide audiences and to dance students through artistic and educational programs.  The organization is comprised of: American Repertory Ballet, the preeminent contemporary ballet company in the state; Princeton Ballet School, one of the largest and most respected non-profit dance schools in the nation; and the Access and Enrichment initiatives, ranging from the long-running and acclaimed DANCE POWER program to the newly launched On Pointe series.  The professional company is a classical and contemporary ballet company committed to presenting ballets from the 19th and 20th century alongside new and existing works by choreographers from today.  Founded in 1963, the company is currently under the artistic leadership of Douglas Martin, former principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet.  The company's rich history of repertory includes established masterpieces by distinguished American choreographers such as George Balanchine, Gerald Arpino, Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor and Twyla Tharp; cutting edge works by choreographers such as Val Caniparoli, Kirk Peterson, Dominique Dumais, Harrison McEldowney, Amy Seiwert, Susan Shields and Melissa Barak; and former Artistic Directors Dermot Burke, Marjorie Mussman, Septime Webre and Graham Lustig.

ARB has been designated a "Major Arts Institution" by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts consistently for the past two decades, and has repeatedly been awarded a Citation of Excellence by the Council.  ARB was voted People's Choice for Best Dance Company in 2008.