Sean Lavery
Sean Lavery was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and began his ballet training there at the age of ten. He often studied at the Pennsylvania Ballet School, and in 1968 he appeared as the Nutcracker Prince in the premiere of the that company's production of The Nutcracker. Soon after, Mr. Lavery moved to New York to continue his studies with Richard Thomas and Barbara Fallis at the New York School of Ballet, while completing his academic education at Professional Children's School.
Teaching at SAB, 2003 © Ellen Crane
Performing Symphony in C with Kay Mazzo at New York City Ballet, circa 1978; Photo © Steven Caras, Choreography by George Balanchine © SAB
Mr. Lavery first danced in George Balanchine's ballets when he joined the San Francisco Ballet in 1973, and he continued to learn more of the Balanchine repertory when he joined the Frankfurt Opera Ballet in 1975. With the latter company he also danced Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty, and was promoted to principal dancer.
In 1976, Mr. Lavery returned to New York and began classes at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet. He was invited to join the Company in 1977, and his debut role with the company was as Titania's Cavalier in Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream. He was promoted to soloist in early 1978, and then to principal dancer later that year.
Mr. Lavery originated roles in Balanchine's Vienna Waltzes (1977) and Kammermusik No. 2 (1978); Jerome Robbins' Concertino and I'm Old Fashioned; and Peter Martins's A Schubertiad. His large repertoire included such ballets as Balanchine's Apollo, Chaconne, Concerto Barocco, Divertimento No. 15, Gounod Symphony, Jewels ("Diamonds"), La Source, Symphony in C (Second Movement), Mozartiana, Tschaikovsky Suite No. 3 ("Theme and Variations" and "Elegie"), and Who Cares?; and Robbins's Afternoon of a Faun, Dances at a Gathering, In G Major, and Other Dances.
Mr. Lavery has often appeared on television. He performed in two of the "Dance in America: Choreography by Balanchine" programs for PBS, and for several years performed on that network's "Gala of Stars." He also danced Vienna Waltzes and Who Cares? on the Lincoln Center Special "A New York City Ballet Tribute to George Balanchine."
After retiring from dancing in 1986, Mr. Lavery hosted the Dancers' Emergency Fund benefit (1988) and directed the Saratoga Springs Choreography Project (1988). He was also a guest teacher at the School of American Ballet and served as a teaching assistant at NYCB. In 1989, Mr. Lavery was promoted to the position of Assistant to the Ballet Master in Chief; his duties include teaching Company class, staging ballets, and assisting Peter Martins in the preparation of programs and season schedules.
In 1989, Mr. Lavery taught at Barnard College and choreographed an original piece for Barnard students, Twinkliana, which was performed at the Minor Latham Theatre. In 1991, Mr. Lavery choreographed the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet for a special performance for the Dancers' Emergency Fund Benefit. This pas de deux is now part of New York City Ballet's repertory. Mr. Lavery's other choreographic credits include Aurora's Wedding (1998) and Classical Symphony (1999) for Ballet Florida. In addition, Mr. Lavery stages Balanchine ballets for the George Balanchine Trust.
He joined SAB's permanent faculty in 2003.
Teaching at SAB, 2003 © Ellen Crane
Performing Symphony in C with Kay Mazzo at New York City Ballet, circa 1978; Photo © Steven Caras, Choreography by George Balanchine © SAB
In 1976, Mr. Lavery returned to New York and began classes at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet. He was invited to join the Company in 1977, and his debut role with the company was as Titania's Cavalier in Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream. He was promoted to soloist in early 1978, and then to principal dancer later that year.
Mr. Lavery originated roles in Balanchine's Vienna Waltzes (1977) and Kammermusik No. 2 (1978); Jerome Robbins' Concertino and I'm Old Fashioned; and Peter Martins's A Schubertiad. His large repertoire included such ballets as Balanchine's Apollo, Chaconne, Concerto Barocco, Divertimento No. 15, Gounod Symphony, Jewels ("Diamonds"), La Source, Symphony in C (Second Movement), Mozartiana, Tschaikovsky Suite No. 3 ("Theme and Variations" and "Elegie"), and Who Cares?; and Robbins's Afternoon of a Faun, Dances at a Gathering, In G Major, and Other Dances.
Mr. Lavery has often appeared on television. He performed in two of the "Dance in America: Choreography by Balanchine" programs for PBS, and for several years performed on that network's "Gala of Stars." He also danced Vienna Waltzes and Who Cares? on the Lincoln Center Special "A New York City Ballet Tribute to George Balanchine."
After retiring from dancing in 1986, Mr. Lavery hosted the Dancers' Emergency Fund benefit (1988) and directed the Saratoga Springs Choreography Project (1988). He was also a guest teacher at the School of American Ballet and served as a teaching assistant at NYCB. In 1989, Mr. Lavery was promoted to the position of Assistant to the Ballet Master in Chief; his duties include teaching Company class, staging ballets, and assisting Peter Martins in the preparation of programs and season schedules.
In 1989, Mr. Lavery taught at Barnard College and choreographed an original piece for Barnard students, Twinkliana, which was performed at the Minor Latham Theatre. In 1991, Mr. Lavery choreographed the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet for a special performance for the Dancers' Emergency Fund Benefit. This pas de deux is now part of New York City Ballet's repertory. Mr. Lavery's other choreographic credits include Aurora's Wedding (1998) and Classical Symphony (1999) for Ballet Florida. In addition, Mr. Lavery stages Balanchine ballets for the George Balanchine Trust.
He joined SAB's permanent faculty in 2003.