Ajkun Ballet Theatre
Ajkun Ballet Theatre is the New York City home of Ajkun Ballet Company, Ajkun Ballet School and AjkunBT Fund.
For more than two decades, under the leadership of Artistic Director Dr. Chiara Ajkun, the Theater has expanded its artistic and institutional presence beyond its central locations in Midtown Manhattan and on the Upper East Side, throughout New York City, Westchester County and the Capital Region.
Longstanding residencies and collaborations across five continents have built the global community for which Ajkun Ballet Theatre is known through the international tours of Ajkun Ballet Company, attendance at Ajkun Ballet School and the financial support AjkunBT Fund provides to dance students and professionals worldwide.
Today, Ajkun Ballet Theatre stands as an international presence with a lasting commitment to its local New York City communities.
Meet the Creative and Leadership Team
More than 125 artists, arts administrators and specialized professionals contribute to the creative, educational and institutional work of Ajkun Ballet Theatre in New York and internationally. Meet the people behind Ajkun Ballet Theatre, Ajkun Ballet Company, Ajkun Ballet School and AjkunBT Fund.
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Artistic Leadership
Artistic Director
Coach for Principal Roles
Live Orchestra Director
Ezran Meza
Artistic Advisors
Ella Marjorie Betts
Heather Campbell
Laura De Aira
Rodolfo Romero
Hisayo Shimada
David Sturmer
Creative and Production Team
Production Directors
Paul Jones - Ajkun Theater
Greg Brown - Hostos Center for Arts & Culture
Bill Darcy - The Egg Performing Arts Center
Abigail Epprecht - Whitney and Kelly Theaters
Film Production and Archives
Alexeij Ajkun - Film Producer
David Ford - Film Archivist
Lighting Design
Bobbi René Fullerton
Takashi Hosoi
Yoshiya Ohno
Music Editing
Marlon Wavetech
Visual and Graphic Design
Annachiara Maffezzoli - Art Director
Konrad Nierwinski - Graphic Designer
Photographers
Deto Ahn
Fadil Berisha
Simone Ghera
John Hinchey
Paula Kajzar
Rachel Neville
Rosalie O'Connor
Digital Media
Justin Clark
Erika Estrada
Rocio Guitierez
Sophie Mireille Marceaux
Abdurah Rahman
Costume and Wardrobe
Francisco Manzanilla - Curator
Tricia Clamdiggers - Supervisor
Nureiles Barreiro - Assistant
PJ Clamdiggers - Assistant
Hair and Makeup
Chi Shay - Chief Hair Stylist
Mia Bouman - Lead Make-Up Artist
Kleona Nokshiqi - Lead Make-Up Artist
Dancer Health and Well Being
Director of Dancer Health and Well-Being
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Mary-Jo Byrne
Medical and Clinical Professionals
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Dr. Emmanuel Bustos, DPM — Podiatrist and Foot & Ankle Specialist
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Dr. Payam Cohen, DDS - Dentist
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Dr. Sumati B. Deutscher, OD - Optometrist
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Harkness Center for Dance Injuries at NYU Langone Health — Dance Physical Therapy
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Dr. Jack Italiano, DO - Sports Medicine Physician
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Joanne Rooney, RNP- Chief Nursing Officer
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Valentina Acevedo, RN - Registered Nurse
Conditioning and Complementary Care
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​Dr. Gregory A. Werner, DC - Chiropractor
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Dr. Jia Kang, MD - Acupuncturist
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Patrizia Mantovani - Pilates and Conditioning Coach
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Shannon Keller - Massage Therapist
At Ajkun Ballet Theatre, dancer well-being begins with an ethical working environment that protects physical integrity, dignity, self-esteem and professional agency.
Ajkun Ballet Theatre’s Dancer Health and Well-Being Unit includes a selected network of independent healthcare and wellness specialists experienced in working with our dancers. Dancers may consult these professionals or healthcare providers of their own choosing.
Board of Directors
Dr. Chiara Ajkun - President
Ramona Vicenty - Chief Executive Officer
Maria D. Garcia - Chief Financial Officer
Manuel Castro- Foreign and Internal Affairs
Monique Ortiz Lopez de Victoria - Public Relations
Dr. Domenic Guastaferro - Dance Education
Mary-Jo Byrne -Dancer Health
Vivian Henao - Secretary
European Operations
Prof. Daniela Ghiraldini -
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Maria Antonia Barone -
Chief Financial Officer
Administration and Operations
Guy J Sirna - Certified Public Accountant
Gianni Toniutti - Attorney at Law
Mitchell Weingarden - Attorney at Law
Suli Rivera - Office Manager
Fabio Tosi - IT Manager
Operations Associates
Lorenzo Guerrini
Francesco La Macchia
Janelle Lopez
Louis Panagioutou
Michelle Torres
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Ajkun Ballet Theatre Locations in New York City
Board of Directors and Postal Mail
30 Pilot Street, suite 3 L
New York City, NY 10464
Financial Office
One Grand Central Place
60th East 42nd St, Suite 1027
New York City, NY 10165
Production Office
129 West 56th Street
New York City, NY 10019
Shows in New York City
Ailey Citigroup Theatre
405 West 55th Street
New York, NY 10019
The Theater at St. Jean
150 East 76th Street
New York, NY 10021
Rudolf Nureyev Performance Space at Ballet Arts
130 West 56th Street
New York, NY 10019
Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture
450 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451​
Rehearsal Spaces
New York City Center Studios
130 West 56th Street
New York, NY 10019
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Baryshnikov Arts Center
450 West 37th Street
New York, NY 10018
New 42 Studios
229 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
Open Jar Studios
1601 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Theaters in New York State
Linda E. Kelly Theatre
265 Clove Road
New Rochelle, NY 10801
Whitney Theater
265 Clove Road
New Rochelle, NY 10801
The Egg
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12220
Studios and Theaters in NYC
Our Nonprofit Mission
Ajkun Ballet Theatre, Inc. is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization incorporated in the State of New York, based in New York City, and classified as a publicly supported organization under §509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Theatre was established in 2000 to serve the public by advancing new standards of artistic excellence free from stereotypes. Its work connects with contemporary audiences through the creation, presentation and advancement of dance both on and beyond the stage.
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Ajkun Ballet Theatre is the New York City home of Ajkun Ballet Company, Ajkun Ballet School and AjkunBT Fund.
Through Ajkun Ballet Company, its professional performing division, the Theatre preserves ballet’s treasured heritage while creating modern ballet through original choreography. The Company performs throughout Ajkun Ballet Theatre’s New York City season and on international tours, while dedicated audience-access programs help ensure that the benefits of dance remain available regardless of financial means.
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Ajkun Ballet School, the Theatre’s professional education and artist-development division, prepares new generations of dancers and dance professionals for careers in New York City and internationally. Its programs combine professional training, performance experience and financial assistance that expands access to educational and career opportunities.
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AjkunBT Fund helps ensure that financial disadvantage does not prevent talented dance students and professionals from pursuing education and sustainable careers in dance. Through international financial support, the Fund also advances cultural exchange and strengthens connections among artists and dance communities worldwide.
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Ajkun Ballet Theatre gratefully acknowledges the volunteers and committee members whose time, expertise and commitment help sustain the Theatre’s artistic, educational and charitable mission.
› Annual Reports and Audited Financial Statements are available upon request ↗
Interested in contributing your time or professional expertise?
› Learn how to volunteer with Ajkun Ballet Theatre. Volunteer With Us ↗
Ajkun Ballet Theatre
Creator of Modern Ballet