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originally published: 12/27/2022

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble is in their 54th year of providing artistic excellence in pre-professional dance education and performances, with forward thinking programming that empowers dancers by engaging internationally acclaimed artists and choreographers. Led by award-winning Artistic Director Nancy Turano since 1994, NJDTE mentors and inspires dancers toward higher education and supports its alumni as professionals in the field, providing New Jersey's top dancers with artistic excellence in pre-professional dance education and performance opportunities.

NJDTE has announced that starting on January 4, 2023, Alexandra Gonzalez will commence her new role as the Associate Artistic Director of NJDTE. Alexandra will work alongside Artistic Director, Nancy Turano who has been at the helm of the organization for 29 years.

"I have known Alexandra for many years, first as a professional dancer. I have since had the pleasure to work closely with her for ten years as a member of the ballet faculty and rehearsal director at NJDTE. She is incredibly knowledgeable and professional, as a teacher, rehearsal director, and mentor to our talented dancers,” said Nancy Turano.

Alexandra Gonzalez was born in Miami, Florida and raised in Bogota, Colombia. Alexandra began her training with Ana Pavlova under the direction of Ana Consuelo Gomez and Jaime Diaz. At the age of 15, she was awarded a full scholarship to study at the San Francisco Ballet School under the direction of Lola de Avila. While dancing professionally, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the New World School in Miami, FL. She has danced for a variety of world-renowned companies such as the San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Thomas Ortiz Dance, The Metropolitan Opera, and the Cedar Lake Ensemble.

“I look forward further contributing to Nancy’s vision of bringing professional artists from many different disciplines to give the students a well-rounded dance education. In addition, there will be a focus on elevating the level of training as well as offering challenging and engaging new repertoire and historic classics.” said Gonzalez.

 

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NJDTE is known for performing a wide range of repertoire from classical to contemporary works by master choreographers including: Paul Taylor, David Parsons, Robert Battle, and Twyla Tharp. NJDTE has also commissioned award-winning cutting-edge artists like Sidra Bell, Andrea Miller (Gallim) and Kate Skarpetowska.

“We will continue the NJDTE mission to bring a diverse repertoire and live dance performances to our community, which enriches both our students and our audiences." added Gonzalez.

"NJDTE soars forward with its advanced programming for dancers ages 4-19 with classes in ballet, pointe, modern & contemporary dance," continued Gonzalez. The school offers 55 classes a week and has 9 levels of instruction and 5 summer intensive programs including, MOVEMENT INVENTION PROJECT® for college level dancers, named as Top 10 International Contemporary Summer Programs. “Our students leave our school ready for professional careers or head to some of the most prestigious universities in the country with scholarships, and many of them are accepted into renowned summer programs during their time here.” 

NJDTE is successful because of the high caliber and dedicated faculty and staff who are consummate professionals who not only provide superior training to our students they are passing on decades of professional experience.

“We enjoy a wonderful working relationship with Alexandra. It is evident that she has the capacity to expand to this new role of Associate Artistic Director in our organization," said Executive Director, Barbara Carocci.