Posted In
HistoryOctober 10, 2024
ABT x Princess Grace Award
Soloist Jake Roxander Recognized with 2024 Princess Grace Award Honoraria
By Madi Schaaf
In August, American Ballet Theatre Soloist Jake Roxander was awarded the prestigious 2024 Princess Grace Award Honoraria, a recognition of his remarkable talent and unwavering commitment to his craft. The Princess Grace Foundation-USA, dedicated to promoting the legacy of Princess Grace of Monaco (née Grace Kelly), elevates extraordinary emerging artists in theater, dance, and film through career-advancing grants.
American Ballet Theatre shares a rich history with the Princess Grace Foundation, having nominated several dancers for the award since its inception, approximately one per year.
Roxander began his dance training at the age of eight, studying with his parents at their school, Studio Roxander in his hometown of Medford, Oregon. He participated in YAGP during this time, receiving the Grand Prix Award four consecutive years from 2016-2019 as well as numerous full scholarships. Roxander joined Pennsylvania Ballet II in 2019 and joined ABT Studio Company in September 2020. He became an apprentice with ABT’s main Company in May 2022, joined the corps de ballet in September 2022, and was promoted to soloist in March 2024.
In 2023, he was recognized as one of The New York Times’ “8 Breakout Stars of 2023” as well as Dance Magazine’s “Top 25 to Watch.” He was also awarded the Clive Barnes Award for dance in 2024.
His repertoire with ABT is vast and varied, including roles as Puck (The Dream), peasant pas de deux (Giselle), Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet), Lensky (Onegin), Juan Alejándrez (Like Water for Chocolate), Benno and the Neapolitan Dance (Swan Lake), and leading roles in Études, Piano Concerto No. 1, and Woolf Works.
A Legacy of Excellence
Current ABT Dancers
To be honored with a Princess Grace Award is an impressive achievement, and we are proud to have so many dancers from this respected group at ABT.
Current ABT dancers who have received the Princess Grace Award include corps de ballet member Andrew Robare (2023), Principal Dancer Catherine Hurlin (2018), Principal Dancer Skylar Brandt (2013), and Principal Dancer Isabella Boylston (2009).
In 1998, Principal Dancer Gillian Murphy was honored with the Princess Grace Award. Later, in 2009, Gillian was awarded the Princess Grace Foundation’s highest honor, the Statue Award.
Former ABT Dancers
Although no longer dancing with ABT, our former dancers contribute to the rich history of ABT dancers honored by the Princess Grace Foundation—a list of past ABT honorees includes:
Former Soloists Joseph Gorak and Blaine Hoven were honored in 2011 and 2008, respectively.
Former Principal Dancer Jeffrey Cirio was recognized in 2009.
Ricardo Torres, a former member of the corps de ballet, received the award in 2001.
Roxander’s recognition as a 2024 Princess Grace Award honoree marks a significant milestone in his incredible journey. As he joins the distinguished ranks of ABT dancers who have made significant contributions both to our Company and the world of ballet, this award solidifies his growing impact on the art form.
The writer, Madi Schaaf, is an ABT Press Intern for Fall 2024.