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Ib Andersen was named artistic director of Ballet Arizona in 2000, following a career on the world’s ballet stages. Born in Copenhagen, he was introduced to ballroom dance at a young age. At 7 he was accepted into the School of the Royal Danish Ballet. He joined the Royal Danish Ballet at age 16 and became a principal dancer at 20 — the youngest principal in that company’s history.
Andersen’s career and reputation flourished in Europe, bringing him to the attention of George Balanchine, then director of New York City Ballet. Andersen auditioned for NYCB at Balanchine’s invitation in 1980, and was immediately hired.
During his first three months in New York Andersen learned 35 ballets, and demonstrated a remarkable affinity for the Balanchine style and technique. This led Balanchine to create principal roles for him in Ballade and Davidsbündlertänze (both 1980), and Mozartiana (1981). Other choreographers including Jerome Robbins and Peter Martins created roles for Andersen’s unique style.
In 1987, while Andersen was still with NYCB, the Royal Danish Ballet gave him his first choreographic commission, for which he created 1-2-3—1-2. When he retired as a principal from NYCB in 1990, Andersen began a second career as a guest ballet master for companies around the world. He staged ballets by August Bournonville, Michel Fokine, Jerome Robbins, and others; most notably, Balanchine. His affinity for Balanchine’s works led to Andersen’s appointment as a Balanchine Repetiteur, one of a handful of artists worldwide authorized by The Balanchine Trust to stage the master’s pieces.
In addition to his many engagements as a stager, Andersen was in demand as a choreographer, creating works for companies in several countries including Slovenia (The New World, 1991), Belgium (Carnaval, 1992), Norway (Holberg Suite, 1993), Japan (Simple Symphony, 1993), Canada (Wave, 1994), and the U.S. (Brandenburg Concerti, 1994; Rhapsody Concerto, 1994; Thyra, 1995; XII Men, 1996).
After a tenure as ballet master with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Andersen accepted the position of artistic director for Ballet Arizona. He directs 36 dancers in a demanding repertory that combines both classical and contemporary ballets, including works he creates specifically for the Company. In addition, Andersen serves as the artistic director of The School of Ballet Arizona.
Ib Andersen’s choreography for Ballet Arizona includes 1052, 2B, Amoroso, “Entr’acte” and “Danse Bohème” from Carmen, Dance of the Hours, Elevations, Preludes and Fugues, Indigo Rhapsody, and Sueños. He created two original full-length ballets, Mosaik and Play, and he has reinterpreted the classic works Coppélia, Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker.
To read the New York Times review of Ib Andersen and the Ballet Arizona Dancers click here.
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