Stella Abrera, a former principal dancer at the American Ballet Theater, has been appointed Deputy Artistic Director of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedionasis School, announced Thursday. She oversees all the artistic aspects of the school’s children’s, pre-professional, and national training curriculum.
In a telephone interview, Ballet Theater Abrella said, “It’s like a big gorgeous redwood or oak tree. I’m now part of a team that nourishes roots and helps them grow bigger and more beautiful. I have the opportunity to be very respectful of the company’s pedigree and I am very excited to share it with young artists. “
Founded in 2004, Onassis School has been directed by Cynthia Harvey, a graduate of another ballet theater since 2016. Abrella said he had been waiting until he was in a position to formulate a particular plan, but he wanted to follow Harvey’s example. “She has small legs, but they are huge shoes to fill,” Abrella said.
Born in Manila, 44-year-old Abrella grew up in South Pasadena, California. He attended the Ballet Theater as a member of the Cold Ballet Company in 1996 and was promoted to soloist in 2001. In 2015, Abrella became the company’s first Filipino-American principal the same day Misty Copeland was. She retired from her performance in 2020. Since June of that year, she has been Artistic Director of the Kaatsbaan Cultural Park in Tivoli, New York, where she has established the annual Outdoor Dance Festival.
A ballet theater spokeswoman said he was hired for a year in acting because the artistic director of the ballet theater changed from Kevin McKenzie, who provided his position to Abrella, to Susan Jaffy, who will take over at the end of the year. (The company also recently appointed a new CEO, Janet Rollé.)
Sonja Kostich, who became CEO and Arts Officer in 2018, will continue to play that role in Kurtsbaan. Abrera replacements have not yet been announced.
Looking at the rehearsal of the project she put together from outside the studio on the idyllic grounds of Kurtsbaan, Abrella said her emotions were “mixed” and it was a bit bittersweet to leave. After the Curtsbaan Festival ends on June 19, she teaches in a two-month intensive ballet program. After that, she takes a day off on August 21st before starting her new job.