Samantha Dunster, photo by Harald Schrader Photography
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- American Repertory Ballet (ARB) | Princeton Ballet School (PBS) has appointed Samantha Dunster as its next Artistic Director, effective November 2025.
“It is my tremendous honor to be appointed Artistic Director of ARB | PBS,” says Dunster. “I am deeply humbled by the trust placed in me and inspired by the opportunity to help shape the organization's next chapter with passion, integrity, and a heartfelt love for this art form. Ballet has the power to transform, to connect, and to uplift, and ARB | PBS has demonstrated this positive impact on students, audiences, artists, and community members for over 70 years. I am committed to carrying the organization's legacy forward while finding new ways to make ballet, and the artistic excellence of ARB | PBS, even more accessible.”
Ms. Dunster joined ARB | PBS as Director of Artistic Operations for the 2024/25 season, and has been in this leadership role as an integral part of the artistic team which includes Ethan Stiefel (Artist in Residence), Gillian Murphy (Artistic Associate), and Nanako Yamamoto (Assistant Rehearsal Director). As Artistic Director, Ms. Dunster will assume artistic oversight of the professional Company, the Princeton Ballet School, and all Access & Enrichment programs such as DANCE POWER and Dance for Parkinson’s classes.
“We are thrilled to have Samantha on board!” says Daphne Jones, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Her artistic leadership is decisive, collaborative, and collegial. She has a keen eye, sophisticated artistry, and is a clear communicator who connects with dancers of all ages. The synergy between Sam, Ethan and Gillian in the studios is exciting; together they truly are an all-star artistic team. Our dancers have been enthusiastically absorbing this world-class direction, bringing our productions and studio instruction to inspiring new heights.”
In addition to curating programs and coaching for both the School and Company, Ms. Dunster will create new work as well. American Repertory Ballet will present Ms. Dunster’s Cinderella from March 6-8, 2026 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC). Then, Princeton Ballet School will present Snow White, also choreographed by Ms. Dunster, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center from May 9-10, 2026.
“At American Repertory Ballet | Princeton Ballet School, Samantha has already made an indelible mark on the artistic quality of the organization,” says Julie Diana Hench, Executive Director. “She is coaching professional dancers in main-stage productions, refining curriculum for young students, and creating opportunities for even more community members to experience the art form. Her vision for the organization is strongly focused on artistic excellence and community access, which builds on our exceptional 71-year legacy. I look forward to our continued partnership!”
Samantha Dunster with ARB Dancers. Photo by Megan Teat Photography
SAMANTHA DUNSTER began her ballet training with Cristina Pora in Toronto, Ontario. Then, at age 17, she moved to Havana to train with the National Ballet of Cuba. She continued dancing with the company of Centro Pro-Danza, under the direction of Laura Alonso, where she also worked as Regisseur and Ballet Mistress.
In 1996, Ms. Dunster accepted the position of Artistic Director and Principal Dancer of Bale da Ilha in Brazil, where she staged numerous full-length ballets. By 2000, she became Ballet Mistress of Orlando Ballet, where, under the direction of the late Fernando Bujones, she re-choreographed La Fille Mal Gardée for the company. In 2004, she was commissioned by Orlando Ballet to create a world-premiere production of Camelot, the success of which broke ticket sales records. In 2007, she accepted the role of Assistant to the Artistic Director of Orlando Ballet, under the direction of Bruce Marks. The following year, the pair together staged the full-length Don Quixote.
In 2011, Ms. Dunster accepted the position of Chair and Artistic Director of the Hartt School Community Division Dance Department at the University of Hartford. During that time, she created and choreographed two new full-length ballets: Snow White and Peter Pan with original scores by Kermit Poling. She also founded the pre-professional company HarttWorks as well as created the summer ballet intensive program “From Studio to Stage,” which has attracted Guest Artistic Directors such as Bruce Marks, Laura Alonso, and Angel Corella.
Ms. Dunster has danced and taught in countries around the world, including Sweden, Argentina, and Brazil. She staged her production of La Fille Mal Gardée for the National Ballet of Korea and the NBA Ballet Company in Tokyo, respectively, and has staged several works by Bruce Marks, including Lark Ascending for Louisville Ballet. Ms. Dunster has also served as the Canadian judge for the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS.
In 2014, Ms. Dunster joined the artistic staff of Philadelphia Ballet (formally Pennsylvania Ballet) in November 2014 and was appointed Assistant Artistic Director in November 2015. During her time there, she choreographed Snow White, Prince Charming, and Fairy Rhymes for Philadelphia Ballet II and staged Peter Pan for the School of Philadelphia Ballet. She has also appeared on stage as ‘Carabosse’ in The Sleeping Beauty and ‘Berthe’ in Giselle.
With a distinctive reputation for innovation and individuality, American Repertory Ballet (ARB) is recognized as one of the state’s premier performing arts organizations. Presenting classical repertory alongside new and existing contemporary work, ARB is a founding resident company of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center while also performing in major venues across New Jersey and beyond for an annual audience of more than 30,000.
Founded in 1954 as the Princeton Ballet Society, ARB has been designated a “Major Arts Institution'' by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and has been awarded a Citation of Excellence by the Council. The company is a core partner of The Arts Institute of Middlesex County and has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and other major foundations and leaders in the field as a prominent force in the field of dance. Princeton Ballet School, ARB’s official school, attracts talent from around the world while providing opportunities for local students of all ages, such as through its award winning DANCE POWER program.
Princeton Ballet School (PBS) is the official school of American Repertory Ballet. PBS has gained an international reputation for its excellent dance training since its founding in 1954 by “New Jersey’s First Lady of Dance,”[1] Audrée Estey. At its studio locations in Princeton and New Brunswick, PBS offers classes in ballet, contemporary dance, tap, character, and more. PBS provides opportunities for students ages 3 through adult, including its award-winning DANCE POWER program, and performance opportunities, such as the option to participate in American Repertory Ballet’s celebrated annual production of The Nutcracker.
Source: [1] Dunning, J. (1975, January 25). A First Lady of the Dance. The New York Times.
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