HISTORY

Founded by Robert Joffrey in 1981, this pre-professional performing ensemble provides young artists from the School’s year-round Trainee Program the opportunity to experience life as a professional dancer.

In the years since its inception, selected Trainees studied and performed some of the most celebrated classical and contemporary repertoire. This included the works of Gerald Arpino (Birthday Variations, Light Rain), Robert Battle (Battlefield), George Balanchine (Serenade), August Bournonville (La Ventana), Dwight Rohden (New Work) and Africa Guzman (The Stolen Path).

The Concert Group has toured domestically and internationally, providing dancers the experience necessary to confidently transition from student to professional.

Newly appointed Artistic Director, Bradley Shelver, will seek to build on the high standard set by Robertson, with the reboot of the ensemble in September 2022, preparing the next generation of artists for the stage.

Concert Group dancers have gone on to perform in premiere companies including Miami City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, the Forsythe Company, the Martha Graham Dance Company, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the Joffrey Ballet.