Steven Melendez
Steven Melendez is an American classical dancer. He is a principal artist with the New York Theatre Ballet.[1] Formerly, he was a principal artist with the Estonian National Ballet[2] and a soloist with Ballet Concierto in Buenos Aires, Argentina.[3]
Steven Melendez | |
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Born | 1986 (age 33–34) Bronx, New York |
Occupation | Ballet dancer |
Current group | New York Theatre Ballet |
Website | www |
Early life
Born in the Bronx, New York City, Melendez began his ballet training at Ballet School New York at the age of 7, when he was rescued from a New York City homeless shelter and enrolled in New York Theatre Ballet's Project LIFT.[4] He is also a graduate of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre[5]
Career
Melendez has performed internationally[3][6] in works by Antony Tudor, José Limón, Agnes deMille, George Balanchine, Sallie Wilson, Frederick Ashton and Richard Alston. In 2011 Melendez performed in the premiere of Alston's work A Rugged Flourish.[7] In 2008 Melendez premiered Uinuv Kaunitar by Swedish choreographer Pär Isberg at the Vanemuine Theater.[8]
Melendez was a 2012 Clive Barnes Award nominee[9] and was a finalist at the 5th Rudolf Nureyev International Ballet Competition in Budapest, Hungary.[10][11] In 2013 Melendez spoke on the "Dancing Through Life, Living Through Dance" symposium as an alumnus of the Professional Children's School[12] Melendez performed with The Men Dancers: From the Horse’s Mouth at the 2012 Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in honor of Ted Shawn[13]
References
- "Homeless Boy Becomes Rising Ballet Star". August 31, 2004. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- Mallozzi, Vincent (June 26, 2009). "Small Steps, Big Dreams". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- "New York Theatre Ballet, Dancers". Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- Schillinger, Liesl (December 14, 2003). "DANCE: THIS WEEK; A Truly Fairy-Tale Prince". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- "JKO at ABT Alumni". Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- Chaves, Katherine (December 4, 2013). "La vida que hay detrás del ballet El Cascanueces". La Nacion. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- Macaulay, Alastair (May 15, 2011). "An Accomplished Premiere, Served Along With Other Flourishes". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- Hanson, Raimu (October 7, 2008). "Tantsijad kuulutasid oma võimekust vähema säraga". Postimees. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- Macaulay, Alastair (December 11, 2012). "Men Add Juice to Sugar Plums". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- "5th Rudolf Nureyev IBC, Archives". Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- "Vanemuise puertoricolane sai Ungaris balletiauhinna". Postimees. November 3, 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- Dalzell, Jenny. "Dance Magazine". Dancing Through Life. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- Jowitt, Deborah. "Men Dancing: Then and Now". Retrieved 27 January 2014.