Transforming Teaching: Duke Students Learn From American Ballet Theatre Residency

American Ballet Theatre’s pre-professional Studio Company recently returned for its third and final residency in Duke’s Rubenstein Arts Center. The visit was part of an ambitious three-year collaboration between Duke and American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the world’s leading classical ballet companies. While some elements of the partnership were altered and delayed due to the pandemic, the junior ensemble spent a week in training and engagement with the Duke Dance Program, culminating in a series of public performances.

Duke’s unique collaboration with ABT was the brainchild of Duke alumna Kara Medoff Barnett ’00, who was then ABT’s executive director.

In these photos, Duke advanced ballet students train under the direction of Sascha Radetsky, artistic director of ABT’s Studio Company.