Executive director will leave in February for NYC post
The Board of Trustees of American Repertory Ballet and the Princeton Ballet School has announced that its executive director, Christine Chen, will step down in February to become the Director of Adult Programs at the 92nd Street Y in New York City.
Chen, who studied with the Princeton Ballet School and has danced in several of ARB’s Nutcracker presentations, began working for ARB in November 2009, led the organization through a financial turnaround to three straight years of surplus budgets, while also expanding the company’s artistic and educational programming. She leaves the organization following a year that saw the premiere of two major works by Artistic Director Douglas Martin as well as a historic 50th Nutcracker season.
”Working with a terrific team of trustees, colleagues, and staff, we have achieved more than I could have imagined four years ago when I began here,” Ms. Chen said in a press release. “I am proud of the great strides we have made to stabilize our financial position, to build the staff, and, most of all, to expand our artistic repertory and educational programming. ARB is well positioned for the future and I have enjoyed my time with the organization greatly. Under Douglas Martin’s artistic leadership, the company has really grown in stature and I know, with Mr. Martin’s talent and vision, that this will continue. My ties to ARB and Princeton Ballet School run deep, and I know I will continue to be involved as an advocate and supporter, but I look forward to taking on new challenges in New York City, where I live with my family. I hope to apply the experience I’ve gained at ARB to a broad array of educational programming in my home community.”
ARB’s Board Chairman Patrick Bradley praised Ms. Chen for leading the organization through a key period in its history.
”We are incredibly grateful for her service to the organization and wish her the best in her future endeavors,” Mr. Bradley said. “While we will miss Christine, we look forward to a bright future with a new director who will lead ARB into our next phase of development. The board has formed a search committee to identify a new executive director and we have a strong plan in place for the interim.”
Until a new director is appointed, Lisa Beth Vettoso, ARB’s Director of Educational Programming, will serve as acting executive director. Ms. Vettoso has led the growth of ARB’s Access & Enrichment initiatives, including the expansion of ARB’s DANCE POWER program in New Brunswick public schools and the introduction of educational assembly and residency programs to new schools throughout the state.
Prior to joining ARB, Ms. Vettoso worked at the management level in the education departments of several arts institutions including Carnegie Hall, State Theatre NJ Regional Arts Center, and Arts Horizons. She most recently served as managing director of the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable, an organization devoted to arts education throughout New York City and surrounding areas.
”It has been my great pleasure and honor to work with Christine Chen for the past 4 seasons,” said Mr. Martin. “Her tremendous skill, drive and love for (American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School) is evident through her work and the monumental strides the organization has made during her tenure in which ARB has amassed a staggering list of achievements.”
Mr. Martin called Ms. Chen an “incredibly skilled leader” and a partner in artistic endeavors.
”Speaking for the entire ARB/PBS family, we wish Christine success and happiness, she will always be part of our ARB family,” Mr. Martin says.