Began His Relationship with NYTB at 7 Years of Age
New York Theatre Ballet’s Founding Artistic Director Diana Byer has appointed Steven Melendez as her successor as the company prepares to celebrate its 45thAnniversary in 2023. In an initial press release Mr. Melendez pledged, “I look forward to expanding the reach of this distinguished New York City cultural institution and deepening its connection to our community. It is an incredible honor to step into the shoes of Diana Byer and lead this company which has given me my artistic life.”
What a success story! Familiar to New Yorkers and audiences across the US, Steven had a 15-year career performing on the stages of opera houses internationally and barn-storming across America on tour with NYTB. A alumni of The School of American Ballet, and a one-time member of the ABT Studio Company Associate Program, he never strayed far from NYTB, his home. In 2006 he was named a principal dancer. From 2019 – 2022 he was Hiland Artistic Director for the National Dance Institute New Mexico.
In 1992, as a child of 7 years, living in a Bronx shelter, Steven Melendez was introduced to the discipline and artistic rigor of classical ballet through LIFT, NYTB’s outreach and educational initiative for bringing ballet into the lives of homeless children.
Newly released is LIFT, a feature-length documentary film, which premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival (and voted “Audience Favorite-2nd Place”) that chronicles Steven’s amazing life-story and NYTB’s continuing efforts to use ballet to uplift and inspire.
Said Ms. Byer, "Steven has the requisite experience as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and director, and possesses a winning combination of creativity, curiosity, and motivation. He knows the company and its ethos because it is in his bones. While he will make the company his own, I know he will carry on what NYTB has already established. He is continuing the line."
Former NYTB Artistic Director, Diana Byer.
It is Mr. Melendez’s intention to pursue New York Theatre Ballet’s impressive legacy of artistic inquiry, excellence, education, and community engagement. He is an admirer of Pina Bausch and Antony Tudor, two very contrasting choreographers, because both, in his view “achieved the point of theater” because “these dance-makers…put real people on the stage to tell real stories—complex stories with nuance and detail.” Mr. Melendez holds great promise as the new skipper of New York City’s “small but mighty” ballet company as it sails to new galaxies. Merde!
