The School of American Ballet Raises More Than $1.1 Million at 2013 WINTER BALL

The School of American Ballet's 2013 Winter Ball: A Night in the Far East at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theater on Monday, March 11, 2013 raised more than $1.1 million for scholarships and school programs. The evening, sponsored by legendary French Maison Van Cleef & Arpels, began with cocktails at 7pm and dinner at 8pm, followed by a one-time-only performance, and The Encore dessert and dancing.

"We are thrilled to announce that we achieved our goal of $1.1 million. The overwhelming generosity of our sponsor Van Cleef as well as our attendees and donors made for a fantastic celebration last night," said Margie Van Dercook, executive director of The School of American Ballet. "Their much-appreciated donations will provide scholarships to aspiring young dancers as well as support the School's student life programs."

This glamorous annual dinner dance was attended more than 400 patrons, including the School's board members and alumni as well as leaders from the New York corporate and social communities. Notable attendees included: Corporate Chair Nicolas Luchsinger; Honorary Chairs Coco Kopelman, Elizabeth R. Miller, Liz Peek, and Betsy Pitts; Event Chairs Diana DiMenna, Julia Koch, Jenny Paulson, Laura Zeckendorf; and Young Patron Chairs Amanda Brotman, Brie Bythewood, Ann-Marie MacFarlane, and William Yang, as well as Peter Martins, Jock Soto, Darci Kistler, Ashley Bouder, Jared Angle, Rebecca Krohn, Kay Mazzo, Mikhail Baryshnikov & Lisa Rinehart, Kyle Blackmon, Fe Fendi, John Galantic, Carolina Herrera, David Koch, Arie L. Kopelman, Alexandra Lebenthal, Tom Murro, John Paulson, Kelly Rutherford, Will Zeckendorf.

A highlight of the evening wasa one-time-only performance by the advanced students of The School of American Ballet choreographed by Silas Farley, who was selected by Peter Martins, Artistic Chairman of The School of American Ballet.

"Silas delivered just as I expected and that is why I asked him. It was wonderful!" said MR. Martins.

A brilliant tableau byVan Cleef & Arpels with Ron Wendt Design greeted guests as they entered to evoke the ambiance of the Far East with a vivid tableaux vivant featuring pieces from the Van Cleef & Arpels collection. Created by Ron Wendt Design, the décor of the 2013 Winter Ball evoked the colors and ornaments of the Baron Alexis de Redé's 1969 Le Bal Oriental, held at the Hotel Lambert in Paris. The dinner began with peking duck rolls with plum sauce and an Asian salad, followed by chicken curry, mango chutney and cucumber raita, basmati rick with raisins and almonds, and cumin glazed vegetables. Dessert was pomegranate ice cream with chocolate crumble and crystallized ginger cookies.

For the sixth consecutive year, Van Cleef & Arpels was the lead corporate sponsor of the gala, with Corporate Chair Nicolas Luchsinger. This momentous occasion salutes the storied friendship between SAB's founder George Balanchine and Van Cleef & Arpels founder Claude Arpels. Following dinner, 200 of the city's most sophisticated philanthropic young professionals joined the Winter Ball for The Encore is the Winter Ball after-party, with dancing and dessert. The event was headed by Honorary Chairs Coco Kopelman, Elizabeth R. Miller, Liz Peek, and Betsy Pitts; Event Chairs Diana DiMenna, Julia Koch, Jenny Paulson, and Laura Zeckendorf; and Young Patron Chairs Amanda Brotman, Brie Bythewood, Ann-Marie MacFarlane, and William Yang. Proceeds from the Winter Ball enable SAB to award scholarships, maintain world-class studios and residence halls, and offer vital student programs beyond the ballet studio.