Gala-Goers Dressed to the Nines at the School of American Ballet’s Winter Ball 

“We have an illustrious history; our school was founded 88 years ago by two visionary men, George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, who went on to found New York City Ballet. But really, our school has always been about the future—of ballet as an American art form and the future of the 17,000 students who have trained with us over the years,” said Carrie W. Hinrichs at Monday night’s School of American Ballet Winter Ball. The SAB’s executive director spoke to a 400-person crowd dressed in black tie sitting in the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. A handful of those 17,000 pupils were actually in the audience, current or retired dancers who had metricated from the prestigious ballet academy. One dancer, in particular, Gilbert Bolden III was present (and unmissable in his shocking pink cape). Now New York City Ballet dancer, Bolden III had come back to SAB to choreograph a special performance featuring the students. As the evening’s pièce d’occasion, the production delighted the audience just before dessert was served.

Another alumn in attendance was Silas Farley; he spoke to the audience about his time at SAB which was generously sponsored by SAB board member Carolyn Wright-Lewis and her husband Ed Lewis. Together the balletomane couple had helped launch the SAB Diversity Initiative, which has allowed dozens of dancers, like Farley, to find their footing in the world of ballet. “Ballet has historically not been welcoming to many. There are alums in this room who can attest to that,” said Hinrichs, “But SAB is committed to doing better.”

In addition to honoring the Lewis family, the night (which was sponsored by First Republic Bank, Graff, La Perla, and Epoch Estate Wines) celebrated the Ford Foundation and its president, Darren Walker. 

Guests of the Winter Ball included Lincoln Center-regular Amy Fine Collins—who was arm in arm with the pink-tressed Evan Mock for most of the night—Indre Rockefeller, Paul Arnhold, Jill Kargman, and Marina Larroude. The evening was emceed by CBS Saturday Morning’s Michelle Miller, who commented that the color of her blue gown, was in support of Ukraine. Whether or not by chance, the event itself was also splashed in a blue light.

After the audience applauded the tiny and teenage dancers; it was their turn on the floor. Together, they had been a part of the night’s $1 million fundraising efforts and they had some celebrating to do. Without the SAB, ballet companies around the globe would have a harder time filling their stages. To support the SAB is the ultimate way to be a patron of the ballet. Even better if you get to do so at the Winter Ball.