ABOUT US

Rochester City Ballet is a contemporary ballet company located in Rochester, New York. Considered one of the best regional ballet companies in the United States, RCB has garnered a long list of accolades and a wonderfully dedicated audience.

Rochester City Ballet's repertoire mixes award-winning contemporary works and classic story ballets, to create a unique and unmistakable quality of art. Its dancers are sought after by the very best ballet companies in the world. The fact that they choose to stay here and and dance with RCB is a testament to the quality of the company, its Directors, and its diverse and challenging repertoire.

Guest artists and choreographers from the great companies of the world regularly come to work and perform with Rochester City Ballet, and consider it an honor and gift to be asked to work with such a talented company. We're equally honored to have this amazing talent from companies like American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, and Houston Ballet perform as guest artists for us on a regular basis.

HISTORY

The Rochester City Ballet, a professional performing company founded in 1987 by the late Timothy M. Draper, has attained a distinguished presence in Rochester and western New York.  As first artistic director, Tim dedicated his life to a dream of bringing ballet to the community and therefore established the continuing mission to nurture and demonstrate dance of the highest technical excellence.  Over the years, thousands of children and adults have realized Tim’s dream by attending everything from fully-staged theater productions to presentations at area schools and festivals. 

The foundation of Rochester City Ballet’s repertoire includes such classical favorites as Nutcracker, Firebird, Paquita, Gaîté Parisenne, Don Quixote, Cinderella and most recently, Carmen.  On this firm footing, RCB also welcomes the challenge of performing contemporary dance and has premiered over twenty new ballets.  Many of these pieces, choreographed by artistic director, Jamey Leverett, have garnered both ovations and awards.  Audiences can be assured of seeing much more of Ms. Leverett’s exciting work as well as that of the many internationally renowned choreographers that the company brings to Rochester to enrich the dance experience.

As the company grows, so does its reputation.  Poised to entertain at home and abroad, our dancers’ expertise is acknowledged and appreciated by critics and audiences alike.  Many company members have gone on to positions with New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and other prestigious companies in the United States and Europe.   

OUR MISSION

Rochester City Ballet will nurture, promote and demonstrate the art of dance through education and performances of the highest technical excellence.