History of Cecchetti in Italy

Raymond Lukens and Franco De Vita in conversation with Susan Brooker, look at the history of the Cecchetti Method in Italy following Enrico Cecchetti’s death, the foundation of Danzare Cecchetti, A.N.C.E.C. to the present day.

History of Cecchetti in Italy ~ YouTube Video

Raymond Lukens

American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum Associate Emeritus

Former Artistic Director, ABT National Training Curriculum

FISTD, Enrico Cecchetti Diploma

Raymond Lukens was trained in New York City and had an international career as a ballet dancer; he co-authored the ABT National Training Curriculum and created the syllabi for the ABT/ NYU MA Program. He was a faculty member of the ABT JKO School. Before

joining ABT, Mr. Lukens directed The Hamlyn School in Florence, Italy, was Ballet Master for Boston Ballet, and Director of BB II. He has taught for ABT, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Juilliard School, and Dance Theater of Harlem; he has judged for international dance competitions, translated into Italian Joan Lawson’s book, Ballet Class, and has written several articles. Mr. Lukens has also choreographed in the U.S.A. and abroad, including two televised UNICEF galas, for The Intermezzo Ballet Company, for BB II, and for ABT’s Opening Night Galas at the Metropolitan Opera House seasons featuring the ABT Studio Company and ABT JKO School dancers. Mr. Lukens was named the 2015 Lucia Chase Fellow in the School of Dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and has received various awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Italian Cecchetti Society in Florence, Italy, and in 2019 he received from Carla Fracci a Lifetime Achievement Award in Cesena, Italy. Mr. Lukens Vita travels worldwide teaching and examining the ABT National Training Curriculum.

Photo credit: Franco De Vita

 Franco De Vita,

American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum Associate Emeritus

Former Artistic Director, ABT JKO School

FISTD, Enrico Cecchetti Diploma

Franco De Vita received his dance training at the Conservatoire Royal de Charleroi, Belgium. He co-authored the ABT National Training Curriculum. Before joining ABT Mr. De Vita was Dean of Faculty and Curriculum at Boston Ballet School. He has taught for American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and Hartford Ballet. Mr. De Vita co-directed the Hamlyn School in Florence, Italy, and is a renowned authority on the Cecchetti Method. As a performer, Mr. De Vita performed principal roles in many European companies, including Florence’s Maggio Musicale, Aterballetto, and Le Ballet Royal de Wallonie. Under Mr. De Vita’s leadership, the ABT JKO School became a Partner School of the Prix de Lausanne. Mr. De Vita has judged international dance competitions including Youth America Grand Prix and The Prix de Lausanne. He has received various awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from Dance Teacher Magazine, a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Italian Cecchetti Society in Florence, Italy, and in 2019 he received from Carla Fracci a Lifetime Achievement Award in Cesena, Italy. Mr. De Vita travels worldwide teaching and examining the ABT National Training Curriculum.