The School of Ballet Arizona Announces New School Director

Ballet Arizona is pleased to announce that Anthony Jones has been named the new School Director for The School of Ballet Arizona, the result of a search that included both national and international candidates. Mr. Jones will join the organization February 12, 2018, taking responsibility for The School of Ballet Arizona's full range of classical ballet training which includes its School Year program, Summer Intensive, and Studio Company, attracting students from around the nation and the world.

Mr. Jones brings an accomplished background as a school director and former dancer. Most recently, he has been the School Director for the highly-regarded Oregon Ballet Theatre School. Before taking on that role, he served on the classical ballet faculty for Palucca University for Dance, in Dresden, Germany and Ridgefield Conservatory for Dance in Connecticut.

"We are enthusiastic that Anthony will nurture and grow the level of excellence the School of Ballet Arizona has come to represent," said Ib Andersen, Ballet Arizona's Artistic Director. "He will continue the school's mission to provide dancers with comprehensive training that prepares them as artists that meet expectations of a professional dance company."

Mr. Jones began his ballet training at the Minnesota Dance Theatre, progressing to professional training at the National Ballet School in Toronto and ultimately the School of American Ballet, in New York, studying under Stanley Williams, Andrei Kramarevsky and Richard Rapp. Mr. Jones danced professionally with Pacific Northwest Ballet, promoted to soloist during his tenure. After his performing career, Mr. Jones earned a bachelor's degree from New York University, and served as an acquisitions associate for the Frick Collection in New York City.

The School of Ballet Arizona is the only school associated with the acclaimed Ballet Arizona professional company, considered by The New York Times's Alastair Macaulay to be "among the most enterprising companies anywhere." Training and rehearsing in the same facility as the professional dancers, students enjoy a new state-of-the-art 50,000 square foot dance center with seven studios, a black box theatre, costume shop, scene shop and administrative facilities. In 2016, the school was given approval by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to except international students.

Ballet Arizona

Ballet Arizona, approaching its 32nd season, is dedicated to preserving and celebrating classical dance while creating new and innovative works. Under the artistic direction of internationally acclaimed choreographer Ib Andersen - a former Principal Dancer with The New York City Ballet and The Royal Danish Ballet - Ballet Arizona follows his lead to the future of dance in Arizona. The School of Ballet Arizona, promotes access to the art form of ballet through dance education, with a focus on excellence in the form, directing each student to a life-long love of dance. Following this vision, Ballet Arizona connects to more than 35,000 children and families every year through its free and low cost outreach programs. Please visit www.balletaz.org for more information.

Photo via www.balletaz.org

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