(LEFT) Nutcracker photo by Krystyna Fylypenko (RIGHT) Nancy Turano, photo by Maryanne Teng

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble celebrates the 30th Anniversary of award-winning Artistic Director, Nancy Turano and the 30th of her full-length production of the Holiday Classic The Nutcracker with performances Sunday, December 22, 2024 at 1:00pm & 5:00pm at Memorial Auditorium at Montclair State University. As NJDTE prepares for their 55th Anniversary Season at Montclair State University they honor their long-time Artistic Director.

A two-time recipient of the prestigious New Jersey Governors Award, Turano is a powerhouse in her field of dance and dance education. She has been a visionary leader of NJDTE creating an unparalleled curriculum for their pre-professional dance education program known for its excellence and performing company. She also secured their 8,000sq ft state of the art home for the school and Ensemble company in Summit, NJ.

For three decades Turano has trained generations of dancers and choreographed over 26 works for the company as well as commissioning works by modern masters such as Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, David Parsons and Robert Battle, and over 50 cutting-edge artists like Sidra Bell, Andrea Miller and Kate Skarpetowska."It has been a long journey of dedication with a focused mission of giving back. I was hired to teach one day a week master classes and choreograph a full-length Nutcracker in 1994 in a gymnasium of the Pingry School. We now have a pre-professional school with 10 levels of training and classes offered 7 days a week in ballet, pointe, modern and contemporary dance.” says Turano.

Nancy Turano in 1994, her 1st year as Artistic Director. Photo by Nancy Paulson

“We are thrilled to celebrate Nancy at the 30th Anniversary of her Nutcracker production. She is incredibly passionate, knowledgeable and professional, as a teacher, choreographer, director, and mentor to our talented dancers. She has dedicated decades to the NJ arts landscape and inspired thousands of dancers” says NJDTE Executive Director, Barbara Carocci.

Tickets range from $49-$69 and are available for purchase online. Memorial Auditorium at Montclair State University is located at 1 E Normal Avenue in Montclair, New Jersey.

“I performed in the Nutcracker at age 9 with NJDTE’s Founding Artistic Director, Alfredo Corvino which was life-changing for me as a child. This timeless holiday tradition is a fantastical story that draws dancers and audience members of all ages. It is essential to teach and present classic works so that generations to come can share the historic brilliance of the art form itself and its role in ballets evolution.” says Turano.

For 55 years NJDTE has provided superior dance training and performances opportunities, with forward- thinking programming that empowers dancers by engaging internationally acclaimed artists and choreographers and mentor dancers toward higher education while supporting its alumni as professionals in the field. “Graduates of the program are currently dancing in prestigious international companies of Netherlands Dance Theatre, Ballets Jazz Montreal and so many others dancing here in the states in acclaimed companies and on Broadway. Alumni have become teachers, choreographers and directors” says Turano.

Nancy Turano in 2024 - Book image from “Journey of a Young Dancer”. Photo by Jenny Mayfield

Turano is from Colonia NJ and began her training at the Walcoff-Mc Cusker Dance Studio and with renowned ballet master NJDTE founding Director Alfredo Corvino (Juilliard) from Ages 9-16. She received a BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase and was a celebrated principal dancer and with Ballet Hispanico of New York and Buglisi Dance Theatre. Turano is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2017 NJSCA Individual Artist Fellowship for Excellence in Choreography, NJSCA 2012 NJ Governor’s Award, NJSCA 2011 Distinguished Teaching Artist Award, and Outstanding Alumni Award by the Chancellor of SUNY Schools. She has been a National panelist and Chair for YOUNG ARTS for Presidential Scholars for the Arts. A master teacher, Turano has taught around the world at prestigious schools and companies including New York University, Purchase College, founding Director of the Harkness Youth Ballet at the 92nd St. Y in NYC and on the ballet faculty of the professional division the Ailey School for 21 years. In 2024 Turano collaborated with photographer Jenny Mayfield to create photographic book “Journey of a Young Dancer”.

New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble celebrates 55 years of providing artistic excellence in pre-professional dance education and performances, with forward-thinking programming that empowers dancers by engaging acclaimed artists and international choreographers. Led by award-winning Artistic Director, Nancy Turano, since 1994, NJDTE mentors and inspires dancers toward higher education and supports its alumni as professionals in the field.