PRINCETON, N.J. – Princeton Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet, and the Arts Council of Princeton announce a new partnership that will bring Princeton Ballet School’s highly respected dance classes to downtown Princeton.

Beginning September 9th, Princeton Ballet School will “pop up” a new studio at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, home of the Arts Council of Princeton.  Located at 102 Witherspoon Street in downtown Princeton, the Paul Robeson Center will accommodate Princeton Ballet School’s growing program by allowing the school to provide more classes in the Center’s Dance Studio and Solley Theater.   These classes will be offered in addition to those held at Princeton Ballet School’s main studio locations at the Princeton Shopping Center, Main Street in Cranbury and downtown New Brunswick.

“This partnership represents the perfect match between our two longstanding Princeton arts organizations,” says Princeton Ballet School Director Mary Pat Robertson. “We are thrilled to be able to complement the Arts Council’s activities by offering dance classes at the beautiful Paul Robeson Center for the Arts.” 

Arts Council Executive Director Jeff Nathanson said of the new partnership, “We have enjoyed working with the Princeton Ballet School on events in the past and now look forward to expanding our relationship by having them teach classes here.”

Downtown Princeton parking passes for Princeton Ballet School students are available at a discounted rate from the Arts Council of Princeton for the Hulfish Parking Garage. Classes are expected to fill, visit www.arballet.org for more information and to register.

For a complete schedule of Princeton Ballet School's classes at Paul Robeson Center, CLICK HERE.

Photos by Carrie Pallat

About Princeton Ballet School 

Princeton Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet, has gained a national reputation for its excellent dance training since its founding in 1954 by Audrée Estey. Princeton Ballet School currently enrolls more than 1500 students, starting at age three and also includes a large open enrollment division for adults. Mary Pat Robertson, Director, ensures that the school provides the atmosphere and training that nurtures both the prospective artist and the dance student who studies only for the inherent rewards – self-discipline, physical fitness, and an appreciation of movement and music. Programs offered at the school include special classes designed exclusively for boys, in addition to the children’s ballet classes for which the school is well known. Adult classes include ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, and Pilates. 

Princeton Ballet School has studios in Cranbury, New Brunswick, and Princeton. The Princeton facility, designed by the late architect Ralph Lerner, features four large studios, each with a shock-absorbent floor and non- slip dance surfaces. The Cranbury facility, also designed by Mr. Lerner, has two studios, fitted with the same specially designed dance flooring, and echoes the Princeton facility in design. The third facility in New Brunswick features one studio and houses the administrative offices and the Company. 

Many of Princeton Ballet School’s faculty members have performed professionally; others have attained graduate degrees in dance education and have won awards for their teaching. All are committed to the School’s philosophy of dance education. In addition to dance classes for all levels and ages, the school is noted for its PLUS program, the Professional Training Program (for high school students) and its performance wing, the ARB Workshop. These programs help develop young dancers who aspire to professional careers. Students from the school have gone on to dance in professional ballet and contemporary dance companies in the US and abroad. Graduates have danced with such diverse organizations as the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Miami City Ballet, STREB, Complexions, Mark Morris Dance Company, Twyla Tharp, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Ballet West, Washington Ballet and on Broadway.

About the Arts Council Princeton

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP), founded in 1967, is a non-profit organization with a mission of Building Community through the Arts. Housed in the landmark Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, designed by renowned architect and Princeton resident Michael Graves, the ACP fulfills its mission by presenting a wide range of programs including exhibitions, performances, free community cultural events, and studio-based classes and workshops in the visual and performing. Arts Council of Princeton programs are designed to be high-quality, engaging, affordable and accessible for the diverse population in the greater Princeton region. For more information about the Arts Council of Princeton visit www.artscouncilofprinceton.org or contact Vashtie Coefer at (609) 924-8777 or email vcoefer@artscouncilofprinceton.org.

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