As a dance aficionado and devoted fan of The New York City Ballet for a number of years, Susan has served both as a patron of the NYCB and a member of their Working Committee.  A Dancer’s Life was the theme of the recent 2009 Annual Luncheon, and the event offered a behind-the-scenes look at the Company, with panel discussions and dance demonstrations capturing the journey of a ballerina through the various stages of training, apprenticeship and, finally, a professional career in the company. 

Sean Lavery, former Principal Dancer and Current NYCB Ballet Master led the program with Kay Mazzo, former Principal Dancer and Current Faculty Co-Chair, as ballerinas in frothy pink tutus danced a vibrant excerpt from Coppélia, followed by an impressive pas de deux to Tschaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.

With Katie von Strasser

Afterwards, the nearly 700 attendees celebrated over lunch on the Promenade.  Susan said hello to friends, including Chairman Katie von Strasser (looking radiant in white, above).  It was a warm and elegant event — Chairmen Celeste Boele, Claudia Cisneros, Tiffany Moller and Katie really put together a lovely afternoon.

The Promenade outside the David H. Koch Theater

Students from the School of the American Ballet

Read Susan Tabak at the New York City Ballet Opening Night Gala November 2007

- Rebecca Prusinowski