American Repertory Ballet (ARB) | Princeton Ballet School (PBS) has appointed Samantha Dunster as its next artistic director, effective as of November.
“It is my tremendous honor to be appointed artistic director of ARB | PBS,” Dunster says. “I am deeply humbled by the trust placed in me and inspired by the opportunity to help shape the organization’s next chapter with passion, integrity, and a heartfelt love for this art form. Ballet has the power to transform, to connect, and to uplift, and ARB | PBS has demonstrated this positive impact on students, audiences, artists, and community members for over 70 years. I am committed to carrying the organization’s legacy forward while finding new ways to make ballet, and the artistic excellence of ARB | PBS, even more accessible.”
Dunster joined ARB | PBS as director of artistic operations for the 2024-25 season. As artistic director, Dunster will assume artistic oversight of the professional company, the Princeton Ballet School, and all Access & Enrichment programs such as DANCE POWER and Dance for Parkinson’s classes.
“We are thrilled to have Samantha on board,” says Daphne Jones, chair of the Board of Trustees. “Her artistic leadership is decisive, collaborative, and collegial. She has a keen eye, sophisticated artistry, and is a clear communicator who connects with dancers of all ages.”
In addition to curating programs and coaching for both the school and company, Dunster will create new work as well. American Repertory Ballet will present Dunster’s “Cinderella” from March 6 through 8, 2026, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC). Princeton Ballet School will present “Snow White,” also choreographed by Dunster, at NBPAC on May 9 and 10, 2026.
“At American Repertory Ballet | Princeton Ballet School, Samantha has already made an indelible mark on the artistic quality of the organization,” says Julie Diana Hench, executive director. “She is coaching professional dancers in main-stage productions, refining curriculum for young students, and creating opportunities for even more community members to experience the art form. Her vision for the organization is strongly focused on artistic excellence and community access, which builds on our exceptional 71-year legacy. I look forward to our continued partnership.”
Dunster began her ballet training with Cristina Pora in Toronto, Ontario. Then, at age 17, she moved to Havana to train with the National Ballet of Cuba. She continued dancing with the company of Centro Pro-Danza, under the direction of Laura Alonso, where she also worked as Regisseur and Ballet Mistress.
In 1996, Dunster accepted the position of artistic director and Principal Dancer of Bale da Ilha in Brazil, where she staged numerous full-length ballets. By 2000, she became ballet mistress of Orlando Ballet, where, under the direction of the late Fernando Bujones, she re-choreographed “La Fille Mal Gardée” for the company. In 2004, she was commissioned by Orlando Ballet to create a world-premiere production of “Camelot,” the success of which broke ticket sales records. In 2007, she accepted the role of assistant to the artistic director of Orlando Ballet, under the direction of Bruce Marks. The following year, the pair together staged the full-length ‘Don Quixote.”
In 2011, Dunster accepted the position of chair and artistic director of the Hartt School Community Division Dance Department at the University of Hartford. During that time, she created and choreographed two new full-length ballets: “Snow White” and “Peter Pan,”with original scores by Kermit Poling. She also founded the pre-professional company HarttWorks as well as created the summer ballet intensive program “From Studio to Stage,” which has attracted guest artistic directors such as Bruce Marks, Laura Alonso, and Angel Corella.
Dunster has danced and taught in countries around the world, including Sweden, Argentina, and Brazil.
In 2014, Dunster joined the artistic staff of Philadelphia Ballet and was appointed assistant artistic director the following year.
For more information, visit www.arballet.org.
