Nancy Turano, photo by Maryanne Teng Hogarth

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble's Award-winning Artistic Director, Nancy Turano will take a final bow after 31 years at the helm of the organization. NJDTE will close its doors on June 1, 2025, after serving the New Jersey Community for 56 years.

Join them to celebrate NJDTE’s 56th and Final Balli Di Primavera and Nancy Turano on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at Memorial Auditorium, Montclair State University (1 Normal Drive) in Montclair, New Jersey. Tickets are available for purchase online. The program with include Ensemble dancers and works by Elizabeth Koeppen-Kaloseih, Henry Steele- Dillon, Mary Ann Massa, Anna Lopez and Nancy Turano along with other repertory works. Showtime is 4:00pm.

A two-time recipient of the prestigious New Jersey Governors Award, Turano is a powerhouse in her field of dance and dance education. She has been a visionary leader of NJDTE creating an unparalleled curriculum for their pre-professional dance education program known for its excellence in addition to securing their 8,000sq ft state of the art home for the school and company in Summit.

“This has been a difficult decision with many weighing factors and not something we have taken lightly.” says Turano. For 56 years NJDTE has provided superior dance training and performances opportunities, with programming that empowers dancers by engaging internationally acclaimed artists and choreographers who mentor our dancers toward higher education while supporting alumni as professionals in the field. Graduates of the program are currently dancing in prestigious international companies of Netherlands Dance Theatre, Ballets Jazz Montreal, New York City Ballet and so many others dancing here in the states in acclaimed companies and on Broadway. NJDTE Alumni have become teachers, choreographers and directors.

Nancy Turano, photo by Jenny Mayfield 

Turano has trained generations of dancers and choreographed over 27 works for the company as well as commissioning works by modern masters such as Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, David Parsons, Robert Battle, and over 50 cutting-edge artists like Sidra Bell, Andrea Miller (Gallim), Robert Garland and Kate Skarpetowska. “The artistic leadership of Nancy Turano has been nothing less than stellar. Exceptional dedication, innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking management has led NJDTE to renowned heights that were the dream of Alfredo Corvino. Not only has she stood him well, she stands unto herself as a beacon of leadership in dance education with a network of alumnae/i that will nurture and shape the world of dance for years to come.” says Katie Langan, 20 years Chair of Marymount Dance Dept. and Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean of the Faculty.

"It has been a long journey of dedication with a focused mission of giving back. I was hired to teach one day a week and choreograph a full-length Nutcracker in 1994 which I expanded to a pre-professional school with 10 levels of training, classes 7 days and international exchange programs.” Says Turano. “We would like to acknowledge Nancy’s years of passionate commitment our organization and mentorship to our talented dancers and alumni. She has dedicated decades to the NJ arts landscape and inspired thousands of dancers” says NJDTE Executive Director, Barbara Carocci.

Turano is from Colonia NJ and began her training at the Walcoff-Mc Cusker Dance Studio and with renowned ballet master NJDTE founding Director Alfredo Corvino (Juilliard) from Ages 9-16. She received a BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase and was a celebrated principal dancer and with Ballet Hispanico of New York and Buglisi Dance Theatre. Turano is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2017 NJSCA Individual Artist Fellowship for Excellence in Choreography, NJSCA 2012 NJ Governor’s Award, NJSCA 2011 Distinguished Teaching Artist Award, and Outstanding Alumni Award by the Chancellor of SUNY Schools. She has been a National panelist and Chair for YOUNG ARTS for Presidential Scholars for the Arts. A master teacher, Turano has taught internationally at prestigious schools and companies including New York University, Purchase College, founding Director of the Harkness Youth Ballet at the 92nd St. Y in NYC and on the ballet faculty of the professional division the Ailey School and Ailey/Fordham BFA Program for 21 years.

Nance Turano 2014 w Alumni D. Black & E. Mihalick Fashion Shoot