Recognized as one of the finest classical dancers of our time, Jacques d’Amboise studied and performed at the School of American Ballet, the Ballet Society, and the New York City Ballet, where George Balanchine choreographed more works specifically for him than for any other dancer.

In 1976, while still a principal dancer at the New York City Ballet, d’Amboise founded the National Dance Institute in the belief that the arts have a unique power to engage and motivate individuals towards excellence. Since its founding, the Institute has transformed the lives of countless public school children through its award-winning arts and learning programs.

In addition to his world-wide recognition for his work on the ballet stage, Jacques d’Amboise has appeared on Broadway, written and directed for theater, film and television. He has served as a professor and Dean of Dance at the State University of New York at Purchase and as a visiting professor at the College of Creative Studies, University of California at Santa Barbara.

His accomplishments have earned him numerous awards and honors, including a Governor’s Award for outstanding contributions to the Arts and Culture of New York State, a MacArthur Fellowship, an Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the National Medal of Arts, and the Kennedy Center Honors.