Press & News

"In the ‘90s, Bill Bartlett saw "He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin’" on THIRTEEN and it changed the course of his life. The Academy Award-winning documentary, which profiles Jacques d'Amboise and his work with children, inspired Bill to create his own unique afterschool program."

"There are 40 dancers taking part in the program this year, and there seem to be almost as many adults in the room — including physical therapy students and dance instructors — working with the kids. Close to half of the children in the program have disabilities..."

"Even when you're an alum, you want to come back, you want to continue working here," student Clara Pallordet said. "It's just such a special opportunity, and it enlightens you so much, you want to continue with it."

"After a composite of d'Amboise's charismatic dancing was shown, Jacques regaled us with stories. He didn't talk about dancing for Mr. B, he didn't talk about his dazzling turns in the movie Carousel, or how dashing he looked in the emerald green shirt in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He talked about Tanaquil Le Clerq in Jerome Robbins' Afternoon of a Faun (1953)—a tiny clip of it was in the montage that DFA showed in tribute to him."

"The lasting success of Robbins' dances can be attributed to what d'Amboise sees as the great humanity behind his work; Robbins presented identifiable and relatable characters onstage. To that end, D'Amboise shared that Robbins would often pair him with his wife, fellow NYCB dancer Carolyn George, to get authentic feeling out of them. Some of Robbins tactics, while effective, were less kind. "He would have the dancers come in and say 'You're not allowed to talk to each other or make eye contact today' in his rehearsal," says d'Amboise, "And then one day he says 'And now you can.'"

"Alongside Daniel Ulbricht, the two discussed the intricacies and humanistic nuances of some of Robbins most iconic work which followed by performances of "Fancy Free," "Interplay," "Cage," "Afternoon of a Faun," "Dances at a Gathering," and "Suite of Dances," performed by New York City Ballet principal dancers."