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Ivy Lin

Ivy Lin

Ivy Lin's love of ballet began in high school when at the school dance she quickly realized she had two left feet. One always admires things one cannot do, and so Ivy began to attend dance performances to marvel at the grace and beauty of bodies in motion. Ivy's day job is a biology teacher and after a long day in the classroom she loves to unwind by watching dance. She also enjoys theater, opera, pop and classical music. Ivy has her own blog (www.humbledandoverwhelmed,blogspot.com)

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SunMi Park as Odette in Swan Lake © Nir Arieli

SunMi Park makes a promising debut as the Swan Queen with ABT

By Ivy Lin, 20 June 2026

There is nothing quite comparable to an Odette/Odile debut (unless you’re a basketball fanatic, that is!) in Swan Lake. Well worth watching, and noting, SunMi Park’s progression through ABT.

****1

SunMi Park as Odette in Swan Lake © Nir Arieli

SunMi Park makes a promising debut as the Swan Queen with ABT

Jason Samuels Smith in Tap City © Debi Field

Tap City at the Joyce Theater: an exercise in nostalgia

By Ivy Lin, 19 May 2026

A collection of tributes to former world class tap dancers alongside some new works that clearly thrilled the capacity audience at the Joyce Theater.

****1

Jason Samuels Smith in Tap City © Debi Field

Tap City at the Joyce Theater: an exercise in nostalgia

Kloe Walker and Mira Nadon with the Company in Tiler Peck’s Symphonie Espagnole © Erin Baiano

Tiler Peck’s Symphonie Espagnole for NYCB is like Marty Supreme: sprawling and ambitious

By Ivy Lin, 09 May 2026

A triple bill including Tiler Peck’s newest ballet for NYCB, does not entirely work. Too much blue light and sadness for one program.

***11

Kloe Walker and Mira Nadon with the Company in Tiler Peck’s Symphonie Espagnole © Erin Baiano

Tiler Peck’s Symphonie Espagnole for NYCB is sprawling and ambitious

Parsons Dance in David Parsons’ Ludwig © Paula Lobo

Parsons Dance brings the fun to modern at the Joyce Theater

By Ivy Lin, 01 May 2026

Six works, including two world premieres, made up the latest program from Parsons Dance. Thoroughly joyful, the audience were sent home buzzing.

*****

Parsons Dance in David Parsons’ Ludwig © Paula Lobo

Parsons Dance brings the fun to modern at the Joyce Theater

Mira Nadon and Preston Chamblee in George Balanchine’s Symphony in C © Erin Baiano

Mira Nadon’s sparkling debut in Symphony in C with New York City Ballet

By Ivy Lin, 25 April 2026

A triple bill comprising Balanchine's Symphony in C, Agon and Firebird could not have been more inspiringly danced by New York City Ballet.

*****

Mira Nadon and Preston Chamblee in George Balanchine’s Symphony in C © Erin Baiano

Mira Nadon’s sparkling debut in Firebird with New York City Ballet

Anne Souder and Lloyd Knight in Appalachian Spring © Steven Pisano

Martha Graham Dance Company celebrates 100 years in New York

By Ivy Lin, 08 April 2026

In a tremendous triple bill at New York City Center, Martha Graham’s genius and Janet Elber’s stewardship of the company into the 21st century deserve to be celebrated, loudly.

*****

Anne Souder and Lloyd Knight in Appalachian Spring © Steven Pisano

Martha Graham Dance Company celebrates 100 years in New York

Herman Cornejo and Skylar Brandt in Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois © Steven Pisano

American Ballet Theatre's double bill is short and sweet in New York

By Ivy Lin, 15 March 2026

American Ballet Theatre presents Balanchine's Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois and Ratmansky's Firebird which showcases the company well and provides a strong contrast.

****1

Herman Cornejo and Skylar Brandt in Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois © Steven Pisano

American Ballet Theatre's double bill is short and sweet in New York

Calvin Royal III in Othello: A Dance in Three Acts © Steven Pisano

Lar Lubovitch’s Othello is Shakespeare meets drambalet at American Ballet Theatre

By Ivy Lin, 06 March 2026

In spite of somewhat limited dance vocabulary, American Ballet Theatre showcased its strength in dance actors presenting a very enjoyable Othello in New York.

***11

Calvin Royal III in Othello: A Dance in Three Acts © Steven Pisano

Lar Lubovitch’s Othello is Shakespeare meets drambalet at ABT

Evidence in Ronald K. Brown’s Upside Down © Richard Termine

Ronald K. Brown's Evidence at the Joyce Theater makes you want to dance

By Ivy Lin, 26 February 2026

An evening of Ronald K. Brown's choreography for his own company, Evidence, brought infectious joy and had the audience dancing in the aisles.

*****

Evidence in Ronald K. Brown’s Upside Down © Richard Termine

Ronald K. Brown's Evidence at the Joyce makes you want to dance

David Gabriel, KJ Takahashi and Daniel Ulbricht in Alexei Ratmansky's The Naked King © Erin Baiano

NYCB: Ratmansky’s The Naked King may not be satire, but it’s jolly good fun

By Ivy Lin, 07 February 2026

New York City Ballet presents a very entertaining quadruple bill which includes Alexei Ratmansky’s latest work, The Naked King, showing off the company’s comic talents.

****1

David Gabriel, KJ Takahashi and Daniel Ulbricht in Alexei Ratmansky's The Naked King © Erin Baiano

NYCB: Ratmansky’s The Naked King is not satire, but good fun

Juan Ogalla, Salva de María, Gabriel Matias and Jesús Helmo in Irrationalities © Jesse Rodkin

Noche Flamenca: crowd-pleasing but unfocused at The Joyce

By Ivy Lin, 31 January 2026

A very entertaining performance but without its star Soledad Barrio, who was injured, there was a noticeable lack of cohesion.

***11

Juan Ogalla, Salva de María, Gabriel Matias and Jesús Helmo in Irrationalities © Jesse Rodkin

Noche Flamenca: crowd-pleasing but unfocused at The Joyce

Sara Mearns with the Company in George Balanchine's Serenade © Erin Baiano

New York City Ballet: Balanchine + Ratmansky program warms the audience

By Ivy Lin, 20 January 2026

NYCB has a winning triple bill with its Balanchine + Ratmansky program. Excellent dancing and contrasting works sends the audience home in buoyant mood.

*****

Sara Mearns with the Company in George Balanchine's Serenade © Erin Baiano

NYCB: Balanchine + Ratmansky program warms the audience

Compagnie Hervé Koubi in What The Day Owes To The Night © Steven Pisano

Compagnie Hervé Koubi at the Joyce was dazzling but lacked depth

By Ivy Lin, 06 January 2026

While What The Day Owes To The Night with Compagnie Hervé Koubi was undoubtedly entertaining and beautiful to look at, the meaning or theme was highly ambiguous.

***11

Compagnie Hervé Koubi in What The Day Owes To The Night © Steven Pisano

Compagnie Hervé Koubi at the Joyce was dazzling but lacked depth

AAADT's Dandara Veiga and Donnie Duncan Jr in Medhi Walerski's Blink of an Eye © Christopher Duggan

AAADT at New York City Center: a deliriously happy audience

By Ivy Lin, 04 December 2025

Alvin Ailey American Dancer Theater is in magnificent form for its New York City Center season. Never overselling, simply moving magically.

*****

AAADT's Dandara Veiga and Donnie Duncan Jr in Medhi Walerski's Blink of an Eye © Christopher Duggan

AAADT at New York City Center: a deliriously happy audience

Dutch National Ballet in Hans van Manen's Adagio Hammerklavier © Steven Pisano

Dutch National Ballet's Program B is the A+ Program in New York

By Ivy Lin, 21 November 2025

Dutch National Ballet's second mixed bill at New York City Center ticked all the right boxes, showcasing the depth of talent across the whole company.

*****

Dutch National Ballet in Hans van Manen's Adagio Hammerklavier © Steven Pisano

Dutch National Ballet's Program B is the A+ Program in New York

Dutch National Ballet in Ted Brandsen's The Chairman Dances © Steven Pisano

Dutch National Ballet's opener in New York: meandering and unfocused

By Ivy Lin, 20 November 2025

Dutch National Ballet returning to New York after more than 40 years should have been thrilling. The opening program, whilst beautifully danced, was somewhat muted.

***11

Dutch National Ballet in Ted Brandsen's The Chairman Dances © Steven Pisano

Dutch National Ballet's opener in New York: meandering and unfocused

Chloe Misseldine and Joe Won Ann in Have We Met?! by Juliano Nuñes © Steven Pisano

ABT's Theme and Variations delivers star quality performances

By Ivy Lin, 30 October 2025

American Ballet Theatre presented a well balanced program of Nuñes, Ratmansky and Balanchine which produced some revelatory performances.

*****

Chloe Misseldine and Joe Won Ann in Have We Met?! by Juliano Nuñes © Steven Pisano

ABT's Theme and Variations delivers star quality performances

Chloe Misseldine as Nikiya and Joo Won Ahn as Solor in The Kingdom of the Shades © Steven Pisano

American Ballet Theatre presents the classics with slightly uneven results

By Ivy Lin, 25 October 2025

ABT offer some outstanding performances in a classical quadruple bill but there was a lack of confidence and uniformity within the corps de ballet.

***11

Chloe Misseldine as Nikiya and Joo Won Ahn as Solor in The Kingdom of the Shades © Steven Pisano

ABT presents the classics with slightly uneven results

American Ballet Theatre in Mikhail Fokine's Les Sylphides © Steven Pisano

American Ballet Theatre's legacy works: vintage or dated?

By Ivy Lin, 17 October 2025

An uplifting triple bill by American Ballet Theatre with three contrasting ballets. Especially entertaining were Tudor's Gala Performance and Agnes de Mille's Rodeo.

****1

American Ballet Theatre in Mikhail Fokine's Les Sylphides © Steven Pisano

American Ballet Theatre's legacy works: vintage or dated?

Joseph Markey and Catherine Hurlin in Twyla Tharp's Sextet © Nir Arieli

American Ballet Theatre: Twyla Tharp still has it!

By Ivy Lin, 15 October 2025

Twyla@60: A Tharp Celebration is an overall triumph though not just for Tharp, but for Susan Jaffe’s vision for American Ballet Theatre.

****1

Joseph Markey and Catherine Hurlin in Twyla Tharp's Sextet © Nir Arieli

American Ballet Theatre: Twyla Tharp still has it!

Megan Fairchild in Alexei Ratmansky's Voices © Erin Baiano

Foreseeable Future is aimless movement to aimless music at NYCB

By Ivy Lin, 09 October 2025

Some excellent individual performances but a disappointing program for Contemporary Choreography I with New York City Ballet.

**111

Megan Fairchild in Alexei Ratmansky's Voices © Erin Baiano

Foreseeable Future is aimless movement to aimless music at NYCB

Ballet BC in Obsidian by Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber © Steven Pisano

Fall for Dance Program 4: eclectic but uneven at New York City Center

By Ivy Lin, 24 September 2025

A very diverse mixed bill for Fall for Dance showed some top notch dancing though it was not entirely successful choreographically.

***11

Ballet BC in Obsidian by Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber © Steven Pisano

Fall for Dance Program 4: eclectic but uneven at New York City Center

Joseph Gordon and Megan Fairchild in George Balanchine's Donizetti Variations © Erin Baiano

Pleasant but bland New York City Ballet fall season opener

By Ivy Lin, 16 September 2025

A slightly under par opening night at New York City Ballet but nevertheless, some strong individual performances.

***11

Joseph Gordon and Megan Fairchild in George Balanchine's Donizetti Variations © Erin Baiano

Pleasant but bland New York City Ballet fall season opener

Chloe Misseldine as Sylvia in Frederick Ashton's Sylvia © Nir Arieli

ABT: Ashton's Sylvia showcases the entire company

By Ivy Lin, 10 July 2025

The audience walked out of the theater feeling airborne and filled with the kind of joy you only feel after a truly special performance. Sylvia is an absolute treasure.

*****

Chloe Misseldine as Sylvia in Frederick Ashton's Sylvia © Nir Arieli

ABT: Ashton's Sylvia showcases the entire company

Skylar Brandt as Perdita and American Ballet Theatre in Wheeldon's The Winter's Tale © Marty Sohl

ABT in Wheeldon’s The Winter’s Tale: CliffsNotes Shakespeare

By Ivy Lin, 02 July 2025

Christopher Wheeldon’s The Winter’s Tale is a sumptuous looking production but on this occasion, it didn’t come to life emotionally.

***11

Skylar Brandt as Perdita and American Ballet Theatre in Wheeldon's The Winter's Tale © Marty Sohl

ABT in Wheeldon’s The Winter’s Tale: CliffsNotes Shakespeare

Olga Smirnova as Giselle and Daniel Camargo as Albrecht in ABT's Giselle © HELI

American Ballet Theatre: Super-Giselle lives up to the hype (mostly)

By Ivy Lin, 21 June 2025

ABT's Giselle was the kind of glamorous, old-school ABT night of yore. You sensed the entire company leveled up for the occasion. One hopes that Smirnova will return in the future.

*****

Olga Smirnova as Giselle and Daniel Camargo as Albrecht in ABT's Giselle © HELI

American Ballet Theatre: Super-Giselle lives up to the hype (mostly)

John Harnage, Alex Clayton and Jake Vincent in Paul Taylor's Churchyard © Steven Pisano

Paul Taylor Dance Company: Churchyard explores sacred and profane

By Ivy Lin, 18 June 2025

An interesting triple bill with some rarely seen Paul Taylor works carefully reconstructed. Esplanade still sends the audience home filled with joy.

****1

John Harnage, Alex Clayton and Jake Vincent in Paul Taylor's Churchyard © Steven Pisano

Paul Taylor Dance Company: Churchyard explores sacred and profane

American Ballet Theatre in Kevin McKenzie's Swan Lake © Rosalie O'Connor

American Ballet Theatre: a lack of chemistry sinks Swan Lake

By Ivy Lin, 13 June 2025

ABT's Swan Lake suffered due an obvious lack of rapport between its lead dancers but there was still some fine dancing on offer.

***11

American Ballet Theatre in Kevin McKenzie's Swan Lake © Rosalie O'Connor

American Ballet Theatre: a lack of chemistry sinks Swan Lake

Andrew Veyette in Jerome Robbins' Glass Pieces © Erin Baiano

NYCB's Andrew Veyette passes the torch with grace

By Ivy Lin, 25 May 2025

A joyful, very gracious finale for a highly respected and loved principal dancer at NYCB. Andrew Veyette bows out with dignity and humility.

*****

Andrew Veyette in Jerome Robbins' Glass Pieces © Erin Baiano

NYCB's Andrew Veyette passes the torch with grace

Parsons Dance in David Parsons' Wolfgang © Paula Lobo

Parsons Dance Program: joyous and fun to watch

By Ivy Lin, 16 May 2025

Parsons Dance are really worth watching in an engaging mixed bill at The Joyce Theater.

*****

Parsons Dance in David Parsons' Wolfgang © Paula Lobo

Parsons Dance Program: joyous and fun to watch

David Gabriel and Indiana Woodward in Balanchine's Sonatine © Erin Baiano

NYCB: some great debuts in All Ravel program

By Ivy Lin, 15 May 2025

NYCB presents five short pieces to the music of Maurice Ravel in a bill that showed off some promising debuts.

****1

David Gabriel and Indiana Woodward in Balanchine's Sonatine © Erin Baiano

NYCB: some great debuts in All Ravel program

Joseph Gordon in Alexei Ratmansky's Solitude © Erin Baiano

NYCB: Justin Peck revisits the familiar in Mystic Familiar

By Ivy Lin, 10 May 2025

New York City Ballet deliver an enjoyable, diverse, if occasionally predictable triple bill with revivals of works premiered last season.

****1

Joseph Gordon in Alexei Ratmansky's Solitude © Erin Baiano

NYCB: Justin Peck revisits the familiar in Mystic Familiar

Emma Von Enck and Jules Mabie in George Balanchine's Scotch Symphony © Erin Baiano

NYCB's program of contrasts makes a full-course meal

By Ivy Lin, 26 April 2025

A wonderfully varied triple bill for NYCB allowing the company to shine across all ranks.

****1

Emma Von Enck and Jules Mabie in George Balanchine's Scotch Symphony © Erin Baiano

NYCB's program of contrasts makes a full-course meal

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham in Andrea Miller's Year © Carrie Schneider

Abraham's 2x4 is a bright spot in an uneven program

By Ivy Lin, 22 April 2025

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham at the Joyce Theater proved to be a mixed offering with his own piece, 2x4, coming off best.

***11

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham in Andrea Miller's Year © Carrie Schneider

Abraham's 2x4 is a bright spot in an uneven program

Antonio Leone and So Young An in Martha Graham's Errand into the Maze © Isabella Pagano

Martha Graham's Errand in the Maze still thrills

By Ivy Lin, 08 April 2025

Martha Graham Dance Company impresses in its third program at The Joyce Theater, especially in Errand into the Maze.

****1

Antonio Leone and So Young An in Martha Graham's Errand into the Maze © Isabella Pagano

Martha Graham's Errand in the Maze still thrills

Sara Mearns in Guillaume Côté's Don't Go Home © Steven Pisano

NYCB's Sara Mearns charts her next act?

By Ivy Lin, 04 April 2025

New York City Ballet's Sara Mearns proves that she is a natural contemporary dancer in a self-curated double bill.

****1

Sara Mearns in Guillaume Côté's Don't Go Home © Steven Pisano

NYCB's Sara Mearns charts her next act?

Anne Souder in Martha Graham's Frontier © Isabella Pagano

Martha Graham does Americana

By Ivy Lin, 03 April 2025

Janet Eilber has done an amazing job of steering the Martha Graham Dance Company into the modern age with multiple mixed programs.

****1

Anne Souder in Martha Graham's Frontier © Isabella Pagano

Martha Graham does Americana

Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation in Diabelli © Steven Pisano

Twyla Tharp's Diamond Jubilee: Diabelli disappoints, Slacktide delights

By Ivy Lin, 12 March 2025

Despite my reservations about Diabelli, there is no doubt Twyla Tharp is one of the most inventive, adventurous voices in dance still (and she's 83). She deserves her flowers.

****1

Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation in Diabelli © Steven Pisano

Twyla Tharp's Diamond Jubilee: disappointments and delights

Patricia Guerrero in Alter Ego © Beatrix Molnar

Flamenco Festival's Alter Ego is life-affirming

By Ivy Lin, 06 March 2025

Alter Ego – an exhilarating and mesmerizing display of flamenco dancing and music.

*****

Patricia Guerrero in Alter Ego © Beatrix Molnar

Flamenco Festival's Alter Ego is life-affirming

Herman Cornejo and Grupo Cadabra in Anima Animal © Carlos Villamayor

Herman Cornejo's Anima Animal is muddled and dark

By Ivy Lin, 18 February 2025

Anima Animal is disappointing choreographically, but Herman Cornejo delivers a star turn.

**111

Herman Cornejo and Grupo Cadabra in Anima Animal © Carlos Villamayor

Herman Cornejo's Anima Animal is muddled and dark

Indiana Woodward and Jovani Furlan in George Balanchine's Scotch Symphony © Erin Baiano

Maria Tallchief celebration honors her contributions

By Ivy Lin, 05 February 2025

Last night’s New York City Ballet program gave you an idea of Tallchief’s versatility and depth in a fitting tribute to her great talent.

*****

Indiana Woodward and Jovani Furlan in George Balanchine's Scotch Symphony © Erin Baiano

Maria Tallchief celebration honors her contributions

Ashley Laracey and Joseph Gordon in George Balanchine's Stravinsky Violin Concerto © Erin Baiano

Alexa Maxwell's Novice leads an excellent All Stravinsky program

By Ivy Lin, 22 January 2025

The whole evening had an excellence across four ballets that is a rare occasion. And it had a sui generis portrayal in Alexa Maxwell’s Novice. I would highly recommend seeing this program.

*****

Ashley Laracey and Joseph Gordon in George Balanchine's Stravinsky Violin Concerto © Erin Baiano

Alexa Maxwell's Novice leads an excellent All Stravinsky program

Sara Mearns and Tyler Angle in George Balanchine's Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet © Erin Baiano

All Balanchine I tackles the Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet "problem"

By Ivy Lin, 21 January 2025

Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet comes across as a work with fragments of greatness rather than a masterpiece but the rest of the evening offers sheer brilliance.

****1

Sara Mearns and Tyler Angle in George Balanchine's Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet © Erin Baiano

All Balanchine I tackles the Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet "problem"

Takaomi Yoshino in Durante Verzola's Symphony © Steven Pisano

The Trocks: a loving tribute to Balanchine brightens up the holiday

By Ivy Lin, 17 December 2024

This is a wonderful company and worth seeing in absolutely anything.

*****

Takaomi Yoshino in Durante Verzola's Symphony © Steven Pisano

The Trocks: a loving tribute to Balanchine brightens up the holiday

New York City Ballet in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker © Erin Baiano

Balanchine's Nutcracker makes you believe in Christmas

By Ivy Lin, 12 December 2024

The best performances of Balanchine’s Nutcracker are always the SAB children. Year after year, they capture not just the steps but the emotions behind Nutcracker.

*****

New York City Ballet in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker © Erin Baiano

Balanchine's Nutcracker makes you believe in Christmas

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Ailey's Cry © Danica Paulos

Alvin Ailey Gala is fun but somewhat unadventurous

By Ivy Lin, 04 December 2024

There is no modern dance troupe as likeable as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Their dancers are warm, exciting and beautiful to watch and they never fail to please audiences.

****1

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Ailey's Cry © Danica Paulos

Alvin Ailey Gala is fun but somewhat unadventurous

Paul Taylor Dance Company in Taylor's Arden Court © Whitney Browne

Paul Taylor’s Esplanade celebrates its 50th anniversary

By Ivy Lin, 24 November 2024

The season has had enthusiastic crowds, Taylor classics were well-danced and PTDC will always have Esplanade to make audiences happy.

*****

Paul Taylor Dance Company in Taylor's Arden Court © Whitney Browne

Paul Taylor’s Esplanade celebrates its 50th anniversary

Vladimir Shklyarov in Romeo and Juliet © David Paitschadse

Vladimir Shklyarov: an appreciation of a great artist

By Ivy Lin, 21 November 2024

A tribute to a much-loved and highly respected principal of the Mariinsky Ballet, who died at the tragically early age of 39.

Vladimir Shklyarov in Romeo and Juliet © David Paitschadse

Vladimir Shklyarov: an appreciation of a great artist

ABT in a scene from Helen Pickett's Crime and Punishment © Kyle Froman

American Ballet Theatre: Crime and Punishment punishes the audience

By Ivy Lin, 30 October 2024

Great novels make bad ballets. There might be exceptions to this rule, but this isn't it.

**111

ABT in a scene from Helen Pickett's Crime and Punishment © Kyle Froman

American Ballet Theatre: Crime and Punishment punishes the audience

Hee Seo as Nikiya and Isaac Hernández as Solor in La Bayadère © Emma Zordan

Kingdom of the Shades is a company's ultimate test

By Ivy Lin, 27 October 2024

Artistic Director, Susan Jaffe, reviving the Kingdom of the Shades for ABT’s Fall Season was both a testament to her trust in her company, and also a test.

****1

Hee Seo as Nikiya and Isaac Hernández as Solor in La Bayadère © Emma Zordan

Kingdom of the Shades is a company's ultimate test