NYCB BALLET MASTER IN CHIEF PETER MARTINS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

Peter Martins, Ballet Master in Chief of New York City Ballet,

An influential figure in the dance world for nearly three decades, Mr. Martins' legacy includes contributions as a dancer, including 13 years as a Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet; as the choreographer of nearly 80 ballets and as the sole director of New York City Ballet since 1990.

Under the leadership of Mr. Martins, New York City Ballet remains committed to maintaining its legendary repertory of more than 150 works, creating new choreography, and developing new generations of dancers. Mr. Martins is also the founder of the The Diamond Project, a showcase for established and emerging choreographers to create and present new works within the vocabulary of classical ballet. The effort has resulted in 53 ballets by 29 different choreographers

“It is with great pride and excitement that we honor Peter Martins as our 2008 Hall of Fame inductee. His extraordinary contributions as a dancer, choreographer and as the leader of New York City Ballet -- one of the world's largest and most esteemed ballet companies – have earned him a distinguished place in the dance world. It is a privilege to add him to our Hall of Fame which counts icons like George Balanchine, Martha Graham, Bob Fosse and other leading figures among its members, and to salute his achievements which are part of the rich history and continuing vitality of American dance,” said Michele Riggi, Chair of the National Museum of Dance.

First established in 1986, the National Museum of Dance celebrates dance in all its diversity, through exhibits, performances and symposia. The Hall of Fame was established to salute choreographers, teachers, artists, directors and others, past and present, who shaped – and continue to influence --- American ballet, modern, tap, jazz and contemporary dance, as well as musical theater and film. To date, 38 individuals have been inducted into The Dance Hall of Fame.

Peter Martins - Ballet Master In Chief
New York City Ballet

Peter Martins is the Ballet Master in Chief of New York City Ballet. Mr. Martins, who was born in Denmark, began his association with NYCB in 1967, when he was invited to dance the title role in George Balanchine’s Apollo during the Company’s appearance at the Edinburgh Festival. He then performed as a guest artist with NYCB for three years before joining the Company as a principal dancer in 1970. Prior to retiring from dancing in 1983, Mr. Martins danced a tremendous variety of roles with the Company and was lauded for his outstanding partnering skills and noble stage presence.

In 1981, Mr. Martins was named Ballet Master for the New York City Ballet, a title he shared with George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and John Taras. From 1983 to 1989, Mr. Martins served as Co-Ballet Master in Chief with Jerome Robbins, then assumed sole directorship of the Company in 1990. In addition, Mr. Martins is Chairman of the Faculty of the School of American Ballet, the official school of NYCB, and the Director of the New York Choreographic Institute.

Mr. Martins began his career as a choreographer in 1977 with Calcium Light Night, set to several pieces of music by Charles Ives. He has since created nearly 80 ballets – primarily for NYCB – ranging from pas de deux to large-scale pieces, set to music by composers as diverse as Tschaikovsky and Stravinsky, Wynton Marsalis, and John Adams.

During his tenure as Ballet Master in Chief, Mr. Martins has directed several important festivals and anniversary celebrations. In 1988 to celebrate the Company’s 40th anniversary, he conceived the American Music Festival, a three-week celebration of American music, art, and dance. In 1993, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Balanchine’s death, Mr. Martins planned the Company’s historic Balanchine Celebration, which featured a season-long retrospective of Balanchine’s work performed in chronological order. In 1998, Mr. Martins planned the 50th Anniversary Season, a year-long celebration featuring an unprecedented performance schedule of more than 100 ballets during the Company’s winter and spring seasons. For the Company’s 2003-2004 season, to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the birth of George Balanchine, Mr. Martins conceived Balanchine 100: The Centennial Celebration as a year-long exhibition-style approach to Balanchine’s life and work.

In 1992, Mr. Martins conceived of The Diamond Project to give choreographers the opportunity to create new works within the vocabulary of classical ballet. Since then, 53 ballets by 29 different choreographers have been commissioned for NYCB through the Diamond Project. In September 2000, Mr. Martins and Irene Diamond, the principal benefactor of The Diamond Project, launched the New York Choreographic Institute. Each year the Institute provides selected choreographers with the opportunity to work with NYCB dancers in the Company’s rehearsal studios at Lincoln Center. These sessions give choreographers a rare chance to explore and experiment, without the pressures of preparing for a performance.

Mr. Martins’ autobiography, Far From Denmark, was published by Little, Brown in 1982. Mr. Martins was made a Knight of The First Order of Dannebrog by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in September of 1983.

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