News & Events
Message from Artistic Director
September 2, 2023
Dear New Haven Ballet Families,
I hope you enjoyed a fantastic summer and are ready to begin the fall. All of us at New Haven Ballet are excited to welcome new and returning students to the studio.
This is an exciting time to be part of New Haven Ballet and I feel privileged to be part of this community. Our first summer residency at Choate was incredible and I look forward to sharing news about expanding the program next summer.
You may see some new faces as Heidi Yu returns to the faculty to teach Levels 2, 3 and 4, and we welcome Julien Kanor who will be working with Mr. Tim and students in the Children’s Division.
During the month of September, I encourage students in Levels 3-8 to try something new by attending one or more of the nine weekly enrichment classes for FREE. Enrichment classes support and maximize a student’s progress and potential. Students in levels 3-8 should participate in at least one weekly conditioning class. Broadway and Contemporary dance classes build physical strength, flexibility, musicality, and broaden a dancer’s overall technical skills and artistry.
Finally, I understand many of us are focused on The Nutcracker. Auditions will be held September 23-24 and are open to students enrolled at New Haven Ballet in Creative Ballet 1 through Level 8. For those who have questions about the process I invite you to attend a meeting on Saturday, September 9.
If you have a general question please do not hesitate to ask Ruth Barker at Tel. 203-782-9038 or email: administrator@
As the Artistic Director I will continue to dedicate myself to this organization, and feel confident that together we will make great things happen at New Haven Ballet!
Click Here to See What’s Happening this Fall!
Yours sincerely,
Lisa Kim Sanborn
Artistic Director
September Special: FREE Enrichment Classes
FREE enrichment trial class through September for students enrolled at New Haven Ballet in Levels 3-8!
New students may also take a free placement class.
Enrichment classes are offered to support and maximize a student’s progress and potential. Students in levels 3-8 should participate in at least one weekly conditioning class. Broadway and Contemporary dance classes are encouraged to build physical strength, flexibility, musicality, and broaden a dancer’s overall technical skills and artistry.
Students in levels 3-8 should contact our office at tel. 203-782-9038 or Email: administrator@newhavenballet.org to try any of the following classes for FREE in September:
Monday – 5:00-6:00 pm – Levels 7 8 – Pilates and Conditioning (Audubon St)
Tuesday – 6:00-7:00 pm – Level 3-5 Beginning Contemporary (Whitney)
Wednesday – 4:00-5:30 pm – Level 6-8 Advanced Contemporary (Whitney)
Wednesday – 5:30-6:30 pm – Level 3-8 Conditioning and Stretch (Whitney)
Wednesday – 6:30-8:00 pm – Level 3-5 Intermediate Contemporary (Whitney)
Friday – 4:30-5:30 pm – Level 5-6 – Broadway (Audubon St)
Friday – 5:30- 7:00 pm – Level 7-8 Broadway (Audubon St)
Friday – 7:00-8:00 pm – Level 7-8 Musicality for Dancers (Audubon St)
Saturday – 11:00 am-12:00 pm – Level 4-6 Conditioning (Audubon St)
Last Week for Level 5-8 Drop In Classes
Call tel. 203-782-9038 or email: administrator@newhavenballet.org for more information.
Auditions for The Nutcracker
New Haven Ballet is looking for classically trained child dancers for our upcoming Nutcracker production. Auditions are September 23-24, 2023. Students enrolled at New Haven Ballet in Creative Ballet 1 through Level 8 (ages 4+ years) are eligible to participate.
Thank you Choate!
The students and faculty had an amazing experience at Choate Rosemary Hall. We are excited to return next year and expand the program. We hope you will consider joining us! Click here for photos.
2023 Classes Open for Registration
New Haven Ballet offers classes to students ages 3 years to adult and Fall 2023 Class Registration is open. New students to the school should contact NHB School Administrator, Ruth Barker, at Tel. 203-782-9038 or Email: administrator@newhavenballet.org to set up a placement class. Students are encouraged to register early to ensure their preferred class selections are available. Once classes are full waitlists will form.
June 9 Free Performance on Branford Green
Celebrate the art of dance al fresco when New Haven Ballet returns to the Branford Green for a free outdoor Summer Dance Concert in downtown Branford. The concert will be presented Friday, June 9, at 6:00 p.m.
New Haven Ballet will perform excerpts from Artistic Director Lisa Kim Sanborn’s Coppélia, which premiered at the Shubert Theatre New Haven on May 27. Also planned for the night’s performance are David Parson’s Étude and the ballets Vivaldi Concerto and Cavaliere Allegro. A school student demonstration inviting young audience members is also planned. Guest Artist Michael Requena will join the cast, and Children’s Division Director Timothy Fountain will reprise his role as Dr. Coppélius.
Located at 1011 Main Street in downtown Branford, the performance is presented on the Town Green in Branford’s open-air shopping and dining district. On-street parking is available. Admission is free for lawn seating. Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy an evening of ballet under the stars.
This performance is sponsored by the Branford Community Foundation and the Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance.
NHB Welcomes NYCB’s Savannah Durham
Agon (pas de deux)
School of American Ballet Workshop 2019, Choreography George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust
Photo: © Paul Kolnik
Artistic Director Lisa Kim Sanborn has announced that New Haven Ballet will welcome
New York City Ballet corps de ballet dancer Savannah Durham on June 13. Ms. Durham will teach a master technique class to Level 5-8 students.
About Ms. Durham
Savannah Durham is a member of New York City Ballet’s corps de ballet. She was born in Bermuda Run, North Carolina, and began ballet, tap, and jazz lessons locally at the age of 6. She received additional training at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Boston Ballet, and attended summer courses at School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, in 2012, 2013, and 2014 before entering SAB as a full-time student for the 2016 winter term. Ms. Durham became an apprentice with NYCB in August 2019, and as an apprentice, she originated a corps de ballet role in Lauren Lovette’s The Shaded Line. In August 2021, she joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet.
Ms. Durham’s honors include the Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award and the Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise in 2019.
