Steven Melendez is an American classical dancer. He is a principal artist with the New York Theatre Ballet and the company's Artistic Director. Formerly, he was a principal artist with the Estonian National Ballet and a soloist with Ballet Concierto in Buenos Aires, Argentina.[1] [2] [3] [4]
Steven Melendez | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1986 (age 37–38) Bronx, New York |
| Occupation | Ballet dancer |
| Career | |
| Current group | New York Theatre Ballet |
| Website | www |
Early life
editBorn in the Bronx, New York City, Melendez began his ballet training at Ballet School New York at the age of 7, when he was rescued from a New York City homeless shelter and enrolled in New York Theatre Ballet's Project LIFT.[5] He is also a graduate of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre[6]
Career
editMelendez has performed internationally[4][7] in works by Antony Tudor, José Limón, Agnes deMille, George Balanchine, Sallie Wilson, Frederick Ashton and Richard Alston. In 2011 Melendez performed in the premiere of Alston's work A Rugged Flourish.[8] In 2008 Melendez premiered Uinuv Kaunitar by Swedish choreographer Pär Isberg at the Vanemuine Theater.[9]
Melendez was a 2012 Clive Barnes Award nominee[10] and was a finalist at the 5th Rudolf Nureyev International Ballet Competition in Budapest, Hungary.[11][12] In 2013 Melendez spoke on the "Dancing Through Life, Living Through Dance" symposium as an alumnus of the Professional Children's School[13] Melendez performed with The Men Dancers: From the Horse’s Mouth at the 2012 Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in honor of Ted Shawn[14]
References
edit- ^ "Homeless Boy Becomes Rising Ballet Star". August 31, 2004. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ "New York Theatre Ballet's new Artistic Director's journey 'full circle'". YouTube.
- ^ Mallozzi, Vincent (June 26, 2009). "Small Steps, Big Dreams". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ a b "New York Theatre Ballet, Dancers". Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ Schillinger, Liesl (December 14, 2003). "DANCE: THIS WEEK; A Truly Fairy-Tale Prince". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ "JKO at ABT Alumni". Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ Chaves, Katherine (December 4, 2013). "La vida que hay detrás del ballet El Cascanueces". La Nacion. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ Macaulay, Alastair (May 15, 2011). "An Accomplished Premiere, Served Along With Other Flourishes". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ Hanson, Raimu (October 7, 2008). "Tantsijad kuulutasid oma võimekust vähema säraga". Postimees. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ Macaulay, Alastair (December 11, 2012). "Men Add Juice to Sugar Plums". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ "5th Rudolf Nureyev IBC, Archives". Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ "Vanemuise puertoricolane sai Ungaris balletiauhinna". Postimees. November 3, 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ Dalzell, Jenny. "Dance Magazine". Dancing Through Life. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ Jowitt, Deborah. "Men Dancing: Then and Now". Retrieved 27 January 2014.