(59) Susan Pilarre, Esteemed Teacher at the School of American Ballet

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This week we are joined by Susan Pilarre, esteemed teacher at the School of American Ballet, repetiteur for the Balanchine Trust, and former New York City Ballet soloist. Suzy, as her students, friends and family call her, joined the New York City Ballet under George Balanchine’s direction at the age of 15. She spent 16 years there, premiering in many of his most important works and eventually rising to the rank of soloist. She has remained a keeper of the Balanchine flame ever since, officially joining the staff at the School of American Ballet in 1986. Ms. Pillare also stages Balanchine’s works throughout the world, as a representative of the Balanchine Trust. Her daughter Zoe, a former Miami City Ballet dancer and repetiteur, appeared on Conversations on Dance just last week.  Today we talk with Suzy about her first encounters with Balanchine, her career dancing for him, how she got her position at the School of American Ballet, and about her passion for passing on her knowledge to future generations of SAB students.