PRINCETON, NJ Restaurant Dining Guide Announcement

American Repertory Ballet Announces New Managing Director, Board Member, and Top Staff

American Repertory Ballet (ARB) is re-emerging from its recent restructuring with a promising new administrative team dedicated to turning around the organization’s finances and nurturing the new artistic vision of Company Director, Douglas Martin.  

Christine Chen , who had been serving as the organization’s Interim Managing Director, was recently approved by the Board to hold the ARB’s top administrative position officially.   Chen, who holds both an MBA and MFA, brings her unique blend of business savvy and artistic expertise to ARB.  She came to American Repertory Ballet after a career in the dance world as a performer, choreographer, journalist, educator and manager.  She received her early dance training at the Princeton Ballet School, and was a member of the school’s pre-professional division.  While an undergraduate at Princeton University, Christine turned her focus to contemporary dance as she pursued a degree in Sociology. She earned an MFA in dance at the Ohio State University, then began her professional career in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she danced with AXIS Dance Company, Flyaway Productions, Dandelion Dance Theater, Paufve Dance and other independent choreographers.

Christine joined New York-based STREB, an "extreme action" company in 2003. With STREB, Christine toured nationally and internationally, performed on Late Night with David Letterman, was featured in Cirque du Soleil's production of Midnight Sun, and appeared in an international ad campaign for Puma.  While performing, Christine honed her arts management skills as Programs Manager at STREB and Development and Communications Manager at Flyaway Productions.  

After retiring from performing, Christine decided to direct her full energies towards arts management.  She earned her MBA at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management while working in Marketing at the Napa Valley Opera House and doing strategic consulting at other arts and advocacy organizations.  Chen originally joined ARB as Director of Marketing last fall.  

“I have a rich history with American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School and I believe in its value in the New Jersey community and beyond.  I believe my ability to communicate well with artists, combined with my experience in the business environment, will help ARB move forward in a positive direction – artistically and fiscally.  Last season’s restructuring was admittedly difficult, but I’m energized by our new team and I look forward to bringing some fresh management ideas to the organization.”

ARB has also added Joan Barry McCormick, a fundraising professional and wife of Rutgers University President Dr. Richard L. McCormick, to their Board of Trustees.  McCormick’s expertise in Development and her network in the New Brunswick community will be integral to ARB’s fundraising and development efforts.  McCormick began her career at the South Street Seaport Museum in New York City where she was an instrumental member of the advancement team.  She later served in various fund raising and administrative positions at non-profit organizations in New York, New Jersey and Florida including Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

McCormick earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Mass Media from Rutgers University and a Master in Public Administration from Kean University.  She also has a Mini MBA in Strategic Healthcare Management from Rutgers.  McCormick has taught at Essex County College, Kean University and Rutgers University.  McCormick has presented at conferences and run fund raising workshops at several nonprofit organizations.  She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Intersect Fund, the American Repertory Ballet, and the Advisory Boards of Elijah’s Promise and The Salvation Army-New Brunswick Corps.  She and her family reside in Piscataway, New Jersey.

ARB also welcomes Naomi Levecchia as the organization’s new Director of Development and David Wes Sadowsky as the new Director of Education and Outreach.  Levecchia’s development experience includes serving as the Executive Director of the Westfield Symphony Orchestra and as the Director of Development for “Yes! And…”, a children’s theater non-profit in Philadelphia.  Prior to her career in development, Naomi worked for several years as a trial attorney.  She is a graduate of Rutgers School of Law and remains licensed and barred in NJ. She holds a Master of Music Degree in French Horn and Ethnomusicology from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Music degree in French Horn from the Eastman School of Music.   

David Wes Sadowsky was Director of Administration for Elisa Monte Dance and Artistic Director of David Wes Dance where he was called "Must See Dance" by the Boston Metro. Mr. Sadowsky serves on numerous boards and committees in the industry including the Emerging Leader Task Force of Dance/USA.

About American Repertory Ballet

American Repertory Ballet’s mission is to bring the joy, beauty, artistry and discipline of classical and contemporary dance to New Jersey and nationwide audiences and to dance students through artistic and educational programs.  The organization is comprised of: the American Repertory Ballet professional company, the preeminent contemporary ballet company in the state; the Princeton Ballet School, one of the largest and most respected non-profit dance schools in the nation; and the Education and Outreach initiatives, including the long-running and acclaimed DANCE POWER program.  The professional company is a classical and contemporary ballet company committed to presenting ballets from the 19th and 20th century alongside new and existing works by choreographers from today.  The company is now in its 37th Season and is currently under the artistic leadership of Douglas Martin, former principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet.  The company’s rich history of repertory includes established masterpieces by distinguished American choreographers such as George Balanchine, Gerald Arpino, Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor and Twyla Tharp; cutting edge works by choreographers such as Val Caniparoli, Kirk Peterson, Dominique Dumais, Harrison McEldowney, Amy Seiwert, Susan Shields and Melissa Barak; and former Artistic Directors Dermot Burke, Marjorie Mussman, Septime Webre and Graham Lustig.

ARB has been designated a "Major Arts Institution" by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts consistently for the past two decades, and has repeatedly been awarded a Citation of Excellence by the Council.  ARB was voted People's Choice for Best Dance Company in 2008.