Miriam Mahdaviani

Miriam Mahdaviani is a choreographer, ballet dancer, and dance educator whose career spans performance at New York City Ballet, creation of works for major companies, and leadership in dance pedagogy. Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Mahdaviani moved to New York in 1968 to attend the School of American Ballet. She joined New York City Ballet in 1980 and danced with the company for fourteen years before transitioning to choreography in 1985.

Her choreographic practice is marked by architectural precision in ensemble design. *Correlazione* (1994), her fourth work for NYCB, structures fourteen dancers through intricate shifting formations—duets, trios, and full ensembles arranged with detailed footwork and changing spatial designs. *Appalachia Waltz*, which premiered at NYCB's 2000 Diamond Project, sets ballet vocabulary against contemporary arrangements rooted in American folk music, demonstrating her attention to how musical structure shapes ensemble movement.

Beyond NYCB, Mahdaviani has choreographed for Pacific Northwest Ballet, Jacob's Pillow, St. Louis Ballet, and Richmond Ballet. She has appeared on screen in PBS's *Dance in America*, the ballet film *The Merry Widow*, and NYCB's film of Balanchine's *The Nutcracker*. Her work has been recognized with the Martin E. Segal Award and the Choo-San Goh Award.

Since her performing career, Mahdaviani has established herself as a teacher and mentor. She holds the position of Lecturer and Chair of Dance at Vassar College, where she teaches ballet, coaches dancers in the Balanchine repertory, and leads the dance department.