Balanchine and his Influence On Ballet in the 20th-Century

Balanchine and his Influence  On Ballet in the 20th-Century
The Moviehouse in Millerton, N.Y., combines a screening of “In Balanchine’s Classroom” with a panel discussion with former Balanchine dancers, and then a Bolshoi Ballet performance of “Jewels,” on Jan. 16 and 23. Photo of poster

After this week's edition of Compass arts and entertainment was printed, The Moviehouse announced it is postponing the screening and related events until April. Please check The Moviehouse website for updated information.

 

Anyone interested in classical ballet will know the name of choreographer George Balanchine; even those of us who are only familiar at a glance with the history of dance at least know who he is and understand that he was one of the towering figures.

Perhaps as important as his artistic vision and his choreography is the impact he had on ballet through his teaching.

The Moviehouse in Millerton, N.Y., offers a chance this weekend and next weekend to get a more intimate understanding of who Balanchine was as a person, teacher and choreographer; and to see a performance by the Bolshoi Ballet of Balanchine’s “Jewels.”

On Sunday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m., there will be a screening of a film called “In Balanchine’s Classroom,” directed by ballerina Connie Hochman. The film includes interviews with 90 former Balanchine dancers, who share their memories of what they learned, how they learned it and how working with the master changed their lives and careers.

Some of the names included in the film will be familiar to anyone even remotely interested in dance in the mid to late 20th century: Jacques D’Amboise, Merill Ashley, Gloria Govrin, Suki Schorer, Edward Villella and Heather Watts.

Adding to that, there will be a panel discussion after the film led by Miriam Mahdaviani, who danced for the New York City Ballet under the direction of Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and Peter Martins. She will be joined by John Meehan, who was a principal dancer and is professor of dance and director of Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre as well as Frances Daly Fergusson Chair in the Humanities at Vassar College; Peter Naumann who is also a former New York City Ballet principal, choreographer and is current Ballet Master at New Palz Ballet Theater; and Lisa Chalmers-Naumann, who was a Balanchine protegée, a former New York City Ballet principal and is now Ballet Mistress at New Palz Ballet Theater.

All this leads up to the performance, “captured live,” of “Jewels,” choreographed by Balanchine and featuring the music of Fauré, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky. That performance on Sunday, Jan. 23, begins at 12:55 p.m.

For more information and to order tickets, go to www.themoviehouse.net.

Latest News

Amenia board honors employees for service

Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.

Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.

“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historic marker dedicated at Amenia Union Cemetery

In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.

A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Historical Society announces summer Quaker lecture series

The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.

For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton voter turnout declines after 2023 peak

Downtown Millerton

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — Voter turnout in the Village of Millerton dropped sharply in 2025, with just 58 ballots cast in this year’s village election — less than a third of the record turnout seen just two years earlier.

The election on June 17 marked a stark contrast to 2023, when signs littered the intersection of Route 22 and Route 44 and 208 voters headed to the polls to decide a competitive mayoral race between incumbent Jenn Najdek and challenger Kelly Kilmer. That year also featured two contested trustee positions and generated the highest turnout in at least five years.

Keep ReadingShow less