The Mission of New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble is to provide the highest quality, pre-professional training to aspiring dancers from New Jersey through professional experiences with world-renowned dancers, teachers, choreographers and musicians. The Ensemble is committed to the development of artists by creating a platform for the creation and presentation of new works by emerging and acclaimed choreographers and by encouraging collaborations with live music. The Ensemble focuses on ensuring the future of art and dance by reaching to new audiences with their educational outreach program performed by young dancers for young audiences.

Founded in 1964 under the direction of internationally acclaimed ballet master, Alfredo Corvino, and now under the artistic direction of dancer, master teacher and choreographer, Nancy Turano, Ensemble dancers are offered a pre-professional curriculum enabling students to meet the needs of today’s complex dance world. Throughout the year classes in ballet, modern and repertory are taught by prominent dancers and teachers from Netherlands Dance Theatre, Nacho Duato, Paris Opera, Joffrey Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, Lar Lubovitch, Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, Elisa Monte, Twyla Tharp, David Parsons, Mark Morris, and Alvin Ailey, among others.

The Ensemble annually premieres new works, and maintains a diverse repertory, by renowned choreographers including David Parsons, Robert Battle, Jean Emile, Robert Garland, Fabrice Lamego, Francisco Martinez, Kate Skarpetowska, Twyla Tharp (2008), Eduardo Vilaro, and Nancy Turano.

Alumni have continued their studies at JKO School at American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, Rotterdam Dance Academy, The Juilliard School, Purchase College, and the Ailey School; and have danced in the companies of Houston Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Cedar Lake II, Dayton Contemporary II, New Jersey Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, ABT II and Cas Public in Montreal, to name only a few.