Where are the Black Swans?
Many observers of the classical dance world have lamented the lack of diversity in top ballet companies and schools. The presence of black dancers on classical American stages has historically been restricted, and those dancers who gained entry to prestigious companies often found that their visibility in productions was less than that of white peers. Elevate is a crucial part of Brooklyn Ballet’s efforts to create a ballet school that reflects the demographics of its borough. The majority of children who take classes at Brooklyn Ballet are African American and Latino. Brooklyn Ballet has built its diverse student body by keeping its doors open to the community and using its resources to aggressively seek out talented children all over the borough. The communities served by the public schools hosting Elevate are, by ZIP code, about 52% African American and about 14% non-white Latino, on average. Since promising students who participate in the residency are offered scholarships, classes
