Artistic Director: Maria Kowroski
Maria became Artistic Director of New Jersey Ballet in November 2021, and her appointment has seen a new creative energy fuel an artistic renaissance within the institution. In a very short period of time, Ms. Kowroski has expanded the repertory of New Jersey Ballet to include a number of works by renowned choreographers, including George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, and Jerome Robbins. She recently commissioned a new work by Harrison Ball, principal dancer at New York City Ballet. The new work included a collaboration with world-renowned fashion designer Zac Posen, and the premiere on November 19, 2022, received rave reviews and a standing ovation.
Ms. Kowroski’s new artistic vision calls for an expansion of workweeks for the artists by adding performances and venues. Forming new collaborations with arts organizations and growing community programming that establishes diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Ms. Kowroski plans to leverage her experience and extensive dance world connections to bring new repertory to communities throughout New Jersey.
Maria’s was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she began her ballet training at age seven with the School of Grand Rapids Ballet. Ms. Kowroski entered the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, in the fall of 1992. She became an apprentice with New York City Ballet in the summer of 1994 and was invited to join the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in January of 1995. In the spring of 1997, Ms. Kowroski was promoted to the rank of soloist, and in the spring of 1999, she was promoted to principal dancer.
Ms. Kowroski has danced many principal roles in the Balanchine repertory including, Agon, Apollo, Concerto Barocco, Mozartiana, Diamonds, Rubies and Emeralds from Jewels, Prodigal Son, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Chaconne and Bugaku. Ms. Kowroski has had the pleasure of being created on by several choreographers including Jerome Robbins, Christopher Wheeldon, Mauro Bigonzetti, Justin Peck, Peter Martins, Boris Eifman, and Helgi Tomasson. She has also had the great privilege of working with the great choreographers Alexei Ratmansky and William Forsythe. Ms. Kowroski was a guest artist with the Mariinsky ballet performing Swan Lake in 2003, a mixed Balanchine program in 2006 and 2019. In 1994 Ms. Kowroski was the recipient of the Princess Grace Award and in 2011 she received the Jerome Robbins award. Ms. Kowroski joined New Jersey Ballet Company as the Acting Artistic Director in November 2021 and became Artistic Director in September 2022.
New Jersey Ballet’s Founder, Carolyn Clark, established New Jersey Ballet Company in 1958 with her dance partner from Ballet Theater, George Tomal. Ms. Clark’s vision was to establish a professional dance company for New Jersey while maintaining the highest standards of quality and artistry. Since the Company’s inception, Ms. Clark advanced New Jersey Ballet to become a renowned arts institution in New Jersey. In 1971, New Jersey Ballet premiered its first performance of Nutcracker at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Ms. Clark invited world renowned dancer and star of the New York City Ballet, Edward Villella, to perform the role of Cavalier. Since the Company’s first performance of Nutcracker, it has become a timeless tradition for families and is New Jersey’s longest running professional production. During Ms. Clark’s directorship, New Jersey Ballet added a number of full-length classics to the Company’s repertory including, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle and Don Quixote. The Company was also the first dance company in the United States to present the full-length Esmeralda, which premiered at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Ms. Clark also expanded the Company’s repertory to include master works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Anthony Tudor, Agnes de Mille, Robert Joffrey and William Dollar. Additionally, New Jersey Ballet commissioned a number of new works by renowned artists including Edward Villella, Johan Renvall, Robert North, Michael Vernon, Pedro Ruiz and George Tomal to name a few.
