Last updated on September 3rd, 2024 at 03:39 pm

Dallas, Texas – August 19, 2024 – The Joffrey Ballet School is pleased to announce the appointment of Ceyhun Ozsoy as the permanent Artistic Director for the Texas Trainee Program. This transition comes following the departure of Jan Dijkwel, who unfortunately had to step down from his role to attend to family matters abroad. The entire executive team, administrative staff, and faculty are saddened by his departure but remain hopeful that he will continue to contribute to the Joffrey Ballet School in other capacities.

With Mr. Dijkwel’s departure, we are delighted to welcome Mr. Ozsoy back into the role of Artistic Director. Having previously held this position, Mr. Ozsoy is deeply committed to providing students with an exceptional environment for their artistic training. He will work closely with the faculty and staff to ensure that the Texas Trainee Program continues to thrive, fostering the next generation of dancers.

Frank Lee Merwin, Executive Director of the Joffrey Ballet School, shared his thoughts on the appointment: “I have known Ceyhun Ozsoy for over two decades as a passionate contributor to the Joffrey Ballet School and I’m looking forward to working with him as the Artistic Director for the Texas Trainee Program. With his previous experience and unwavering dedication to our students, we are confident that the program will flourish and inspire under Ceyhun’s leadership. We extend our deepest gratitude to Jan Dijkwel for his contributions and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. ”

In addition to Mr. Ozsoy’s return, the Joffrey Ballet School is pleased to announce the continued involvement of all faculty and administrative staff for the upcoming school year. Kaili Bright will continue as Associate Artistic Director, mentoring Jazz & Contemporary dancers. Natalie Newman will serve as Senior Program Manager supported by Gracyn Womeldorph as the Program & Residence Life Coordinator. Jaclyn Sartore will join as the new Health & Wellness Coordinator, and Haley Whitman will step in as a Resident Advisor. The team is committed to ensuring a smooth transition and fostering a stable, creative, and professional environment for the 2024/2025 year.

About Joffrey Ballet School:

The Joffrey Ballet School is a renowned dance institution based in New York City. Dance visionaries Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino founded the school in 1953, offering a world-class training program that celebrates boundary-breaking performances and commitment to artistic excellence. The Joffrey Ballet School continues to shape the future of dance through innovative training programs that prepare students to confidently pursue a career in dance throughout the worlds of concert and commercial dance.

Media Contact:

Joffrey Ballet School, Maria Zamri, marketing@joffreyballetschool.com