Kansas City Ballet York City Ballet dancer Patricia McBride performed her first full-length production of "Giselle" with the KCB. In January 1981, Todd Bolender, a renowned and long-time New York City Ballet (NYCB) dancer, teacher, and choreographer, accepted the artistic directorship of the Kansas City Ballet. His first year proved to be pivotal for the company with the introduction of major new works and the implementation of several major initiatives. In May 1982, Bolender saluted his mentor, George Balanchine, by presenting a four-day Balanchine Festival at the Lyric Theatre. Kevin Amey joined KCB as company manager in February 1983. During the 1983-1984 season,
Miami City Ballet Arts Festival, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, the Los Angeles Music Center, Spoleto Festival USA, Harris Theater (Chicago) and the New York City Center; while theaters and festivals in Europe, Central America, and South America have hosted the company. Along with the ballet company, Miami City Ballet hosts a ballet school for students aging between 3 and 18. The school is split into three divisions: Children's division (ages 3 to 8), Student division (ages 8 to 13), and Pre-Professional division (ages 13 to 18). Students must audition to be placed in a division. Like the company, the school focuses on the