Former NYC Ballet Soloist Zippora Karz To Stage SONATINE By George Balanchine

Colleen Smith, Artistic Director of Ballet Palm Beach today announced that the highly acclaimed professional ballet company will host former New York City Ballet soloist Zippora Karz during the first 10 days in January.

Karz will work with Ballet Palm Beach to stage Sonatine by the legendary George Balanchine, to be presented at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, March 25-27, 2019, as part of PREMIERES, which will include several additional "new to Ballet Palm Beach" works by other choreographers. Sonatine will feature two dancers, accompanied by a guest pianist. PREMIERES will be performed at 7:30 pm, Monday-Wednesday. Tickets are $45 each.

A former soloist ballerina with the New York City Ballet, Karz performed for 16 years on stage and in televised performances. She was featured in a variety of roles choreographed by Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Peter Martins and Lynne Taylor Corbett. Today, as a repetiteur for the George Balanchine Trust, she stages Balanchine ballets for schools and companies around the globe.

Diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the age of 21, the dancer is passionate about motivating others to take care of themselves and live their dreams, regardless of what they see as obstacles. She is the author of The Sugarless Plum, as well as her children's story, Ballerina Dreams. For more information, please visit www.zipporakarz.com.

"Ballet Palm Beach is grateful to the Chastain Charitable Foundation for their generous sponsorship in underwriting Balanchine's Sonatine with music by Maurice Ravel. Having Zippora Karz in Our Studios to set this beautiful work and coach our dancers will be a joy," says Smith. "Ms. Karz's history with NYC Ballet, not to mention having danced the leading female role in Sonatine herself, will certainly elevate the experience - not only for the company but also our audience."

Karz will also conduct a Master Class for advanced students at Ballet Palm Beach on Thursday, January 3, at 5 pm. The cost to participate is $25. To register for this Master Class with Zippora Karz, please call 561.630.8235 or email school@balletpalmbeach.org.