Karin Averty Joins Rebecca Kelly Ballet Staff

Karin Averty became a member of the Paris Opera Ballet in 1979. She was quickly recognized internationally when she received the Varna Grand Prix in 1980 at the International Ballet Competition in Bulgaria, and was promoted Premiere Danseuse in 1983.

From 1984 to 2005 she interpreted principal roles of the classical repertory (Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Bayadère, Don Quixote, Coppelia, la Fille mal Gardée, Romeo and Juliette, Etudes) and in new works from guest choreographers (William Forsythe, Odile Duboc, John Neumeier, and in works by Lifar, Balanchine, Robbins, Tudor, MacMillan, Graham, Taylor, Tharp, and Kudelka.   

In 1987 she was invited to be a Principal Dancer with the San Francisco Ballet during a leave of absence from the Paris Opera Ballet, where she became Guest Principal Artist in 1988, and in the following year was part of the San Francisco Ballet’s French tour at the Champs?Elysees Theater. In 2003 she obtained her Diplôme d’Etat in Ballet (official French teaching diploma).   

Jean?Pierre Raffarin, Prime Minister of France, honored her with the National Merit Order as a Chevalier in 2004. Now affiliated with RKB as her home base in New York City, Karin will continue her work as a freelance ballet teacher and a guest coach for ballet companies and schools throughout the world.   

Discovering how much she enjoys teaching has been a pleasant surprise for her. “It’s nice to transmit to the young generation what was given to me,” she explains. “Ballet needs rigor,” Averty affirmed, “but I try to teach with joy and happiness” and this is easily discerned by her vivacious attitude and energy when Ms. Averty has taught and coached for RKB for several seasons.    

Rebecca Kelly Ballet and Karin Averty have formalized an affiliation begun in 2008. Founded in 1979, the Rebecca Kelly Ballet is an acclaimed contemporary ensemble based in SoHo in New York City and the Adirondack Mountains.    It brings to the stage its distinctive blend of classicism fused with contemporary dance forms, and highly individual dancers who perform Kelly’s original ballets.   “For over 30 years we have focused on the creation and performance of provocative ballets, as well as the professional development of programs for youth. We recognize that Karin Averty is the rare and unique combination of extraordinary performer, demanding yet supportive instructor, and true artiste. Ms. Averty will make immeasurable contributions to our company and we are thrilled to work with her.”  RK

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