Cynthia Harvey leaves the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School to start a new chapter of her life!

Just yesterday, I received this letter personally from Miss Harvey, before it was sent as a press release .

Just a few months ago we have shared many interesting moments together while working on an Interview, which (you know I do not believe in coincidences anymore) is scheduled to go online this coming Monday! This wonderful experience, which brought us close together, is based on mutual trust and confidence. That is also why I have waited until this press release was sent to other members of “the fourth State”, such an old-fashioned expression but so appropriately precise in its implications of describing a certain impartiality which is “conditio-sine-qua-non” to this occupation.

“attitude” is not looking for “scoops” but for a way of describing facts, impartially - be they actual or historical - with complete correctness and doing justice to the ones that have expressed these emotions, feelings. attitude acting nearly as a guardian of “real facts”. This is once more, the case with Miss Harvey’s decision

Here, for you, is is the full text of the press release:

I have made the deeply considered decision to step down from my role as Artistic Director

of American Ballet Theatre’s Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis School, and its National Training

Curriculum, effective at the end of this school year, May 28 th , 2021. It’s been over six years

since I took the helm of the ABT JKO School and in that time, with the help of the Education

Team and all at American Ballet Theatre, the school has, until Covid hit us, grown larger,

increased scholarships, created a mentoring program, and has made strides by instigating

the work on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Ethics.

Becoming the Artistic Director of the Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis School was at the invitation

of Kevin McKenzie, to whom I will be forever grateful. It’s my feeling that with the younger

generational changes that are taking place in the dance world, it is time that I step down to

make room for someone whose views will, likely, be more in keeping and married to the

changing times. This is timed precisely to help give the next Artistic Director of the School a

prolonged period to transition into the position.

It’s been a huge privilege to have been entrusted with the dance training of so many

talented students. They have been immensely inspirational which makes leaving them heart

wrenching. My gratitude extends to the parents of these students for their support, and to

the incredible team, past and present, of the entire Education Department- who work

tirelessly and with a dedication that is second to none. I’m proud of the extraordinary

faculty of the school. I’ve learned from all of them. I sincerely believe that the school and

company will go from strength to strength under the leadership of Janet Rollé and I am

certain that new Artistic Directors of both the JKO School and the Company, will be

impressed by the exciting possibilities ahead.

Turning my back on this art-form, which I love, is not part of my plan. I will continue to teach

and coach on a freelance basis. Further, I have been asked to be a member of a new arts

management consulting agency which is of great interest to me, and productions of mine

are being danced around the world for which I have been absent, and I can return to

overseeing them.

The education of dancers, particularly ballet dancers, is very dear to me. I will be following

the company’s current dancers, former students, and current students’ careers with great

interest and affection. Though I may not be present, I will always be available. I know I’ll

witness them on the great stages around the world in years to come with the same pride

and love that I hold for them now.

New York, February 17th, 2022

Cynthia Harvey

________________________________________________________________________

attitude congratulates, Miss Harvey for being so courageous, flexible, daring in deciding to "move on" and taking this new direction on the junction of her personal “Yellow brick road”: she will soon be picking the fruits of the seeds she has planted!

Joy and fulfillment. And changes.

They keep us alive and how important it is for such an artist, aesthete and sensitive, dedicated professional to keep on changing. Bravo!

attitude salutes you. God bless!