A new choreographic force is rising at American Ballet Theatre, and, this time, it’s one of ABT Studio Company’s own dancers.

Brady Farrar, a member of ABT Studio Company since 2022, recently premiered his original choreographic work Night Falls – a pas de deux set to Frédéric Chopin’s Nocturne No. 19 in E Minor No. 1. – at The Joyce Theater with ABT Studio Company.

The Joyce Theater engagement also featured another one of Brady’s original works titled Flight of the Bumblebee, a challenging and rapid solo for a male dancer, set to the iconic Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov score.

Brady was overjoyed when his pieces were picked for ABT Studio Company to perform, as it was the first time his choreography was danced in a Company program.

“It gave me more confidence and reassurance that I’m doing something right, which in turn makes me less afraid to express my feelings authentically,” he said.

This Summer, Night Falls will be featured at the BAAND Together Dance Festival, part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City program. BAAND features pay-what-you-want performances from New York City’s most prominent dance companies: Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem.

When Brady heard that Night Falls was chosen for BAAND, he was speechless.

“It was a milestone moment for me,” he said. “With every piece of my choreography that I showcase, there is some self-doubt, but for my work to be recognized and licensed by my dream company, it gives me even more inspiration to push the boundary of what I can do.”

For Brady, original choreography has been a part of his dance journey since the early days.

Since he was 16 years old, Brady has been choreographing works for dance schools to use for showcases or competitions. His knowledge of the “choreographic process” came from his dance teachers, Victor Smalley and Angel Armas, who he accompanied on choreography bookings.

Brady said that his own choreographic process begins with the musical score. “Picking music that takes the audience on a journey is important. I try to match the steps to the music, so it looks as if the dancer is completely embodying what the musician is playing,” he explained.

For Flight of the Bumblebee, Brady tried to “make the movements frantic and fast, to resemble what a bee would look like during flight.” He called the solo his “playful interpretation” of the Rimsky-Korsakov score.

For Night Falls, he was inspired by Chopin’s Nocturne No. 19 and how it “sets the tone of an intimate setting between two characters.”

“In my head,” said Brady, “the pas de deux is a representation of what happens when your day starts to slow down, the tranquil few hours from dusk to dark. As the sun sets, and night falls, how does the light change affect the mood and energy of oneself.”

For Brady, working with ABT Studio Company and teaching them his choreography was “something very special,” as he loves to see his peers’ unique interpretations of his work.

However, for BAAND, Brady was required to teach members of the main Company his choreography: Principal Dancers Thomas Forster and Chloe Misseldine, Soloist SunMi Park, and corps de ballet member Joseph Markey. Although he was nervous at first, he soon became inspired by their artistry.

“Their work ethic and desire to perfect each movement is very inspiring; I loved being able to see how professionals learn and pick up choreography,” said Brady. “They each have their own beautiful ways of hearing the music and executing the steps. Every time I step into a rehearsal with them, I am in awe.”

For Brady, having his original work chosen by ABT is only the beginning of his journey.

“It shows me that the future can be bright, and that there’s nothing to be afraid of.”