Distinguished Alumni: Bart Robinson Cook

Ballet

Bart Cook earned a reputation around the globe and across the U.S. as one of the finest ballet dancers of the 20th Century. He added choreographic accomplishments, and distinction as a master teacher of ballets by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins to professional companies on every continent. His ability to engage the youngest dancers led to a parallel commitment to community ballet education.

Bart Robinson Cook was born into a dance family in Ogden, Utah, preceded by an older sister in ballet. He registered for tap lessons to contain his energy, but soon moved to classical dance. As a teenager, Bart studied in Salt Lake City with Willem Christensen, who founded the company that became Ballet West. Bart joined as an Apprentice at 17 and began performing. He also entered the University of Utah, to study music and dance. He became aware of Balanchine ballets for the first time, and the repertoire of New York City Ballet. He appeared in a summer stock production of Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story. Jacques d’Amboise, a celebrated NYCB dancer, saw Bart dance and helped him secure a scholarship to the School of American Ballet in New York to refine his technique. SAB was, and is, the premier training ground for NYCB. Young Bart was on his way, leaving the University and Ballet West.

Balanchine, director of the School and the Company, invited him to join the Company within a year, 1971, and soon cast Bart in leading roles. He became a Principal Dancer in 1979.