Andrew Blackmore-Dobbyn

San Francisco Ballet's mixed rep program showed off its strong dancers from top to bottom featuring the star power of resident prima ballerina, Maria Kotchetkova.

NYC Ballet's Black and White program offers rich rewards for dedicated dancegoers. The company is in great form, so much so that it's too much for the eye to take in.

The Young Dancemakers Company, led by Bessie Award winner Alice Teirstein, creates and performs original works of choreography in a one of a kind program for NYC high school students.

New York City Ballet's Art Series is off to a great start thanks to the fun and provocative work of Faile, an art duo based in Brooklyn. NYCB is once again asserting its place as a leading Arts organization thanks to the forward thinking leadership of Peter Martins.

The second annual Jump on the DanceWagon Festival features four emerging women choreographers showing their work at the Ailey Citigroup Theater this weekend, April 26, 27 and 28.

Overall the experience of Ballet Hispanico is a real pleasure. There are many fine dancers here beyond those already mentioned. This is strong dancing with high energy and top level technique.

Gala occasions for dance companies are usually about packing in as many stars as possible who then oblige the audience by showing off with excessive pyrotechnics. The Joyce Foundation Spring Gala, honoring Paige Royer and Kerry Clayton as well as Michele and Steven Pesner, bucked the trend by having four different repertory pieces performed by a highly diverse group of dancers assembled from across the dance world.

Ruben Olmo presented his first work as head of Ballet Flamenco de Andalucia and showed why he is one of the most original and creative minds in any genre of dance today.

As New York City Ballet's winter season winds down in its final week there is still plenty of news being made. Ana Sophia Scheller's debut in the role of Princess Aurora was a resounding success while Savannah Lowery sparkled as the Lilac Fairy.

Jean-Christophe Maillot's Romeo et Juliette, presented by Peter Boal's dynamic Pacific Northwest Ballet at City Center, is a cinematic ballet that is mostly faithful to the original and yet original in its own right.

Another exciting NYC Ballet performance with standout appearances by Ashley Bouder, Georgina Pazcoguin, Tiler Peck and Brittany Pollack.

The final presentation of the all Tchaikovsky/Balanchine programs featured the revelatory performance of Ashley Bouder.

Cleveland-based GroundWorks DanceTheater, under the direction of David Shimotakahara, makes its first appearance at 2013 APAP showcase in New York City. This is a great dance company that is all about creating and performing new works.