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Mozart's Attic: American Ballet

In this photo dated September 7, 1947, choreographer Jerome Robbins coaches chorus kids in ballet.
In this photo dated September 7, 1947, choreographer Jerome Robbins coaches chorus kids in ballet.

We have no long ballet tradition in this country: the first professional companies didn’t set up shop until well into the 20th century.

American composers soon proved themselves up to the task of writing music for the dance. We’ll look at the work of three of them — Aaron Copland, Richard Rodgers, and Leonard Bernstein — and the music they created for choreographers Martha Graham, George Balanchine, and Jerome Robbins.

Originally from central Massachusetts, Jay has called the Space Coast home for more than 30 years. He began his association with WFIT in the late '90s as a dumpster diver for office furniture in response to a broadcast plea for a new chair from a frustrated disc jockey. (WFIT has come a long way since.)