New York, NY – The New York, New York dance community is grieving the sudden loss of Janet Panetta, a revered member of the American Ballet Theatre, who succumbed to an unforeseen illness after a prolonged fight against cancer.
At 75 years old, Panetta, a cherished Ballet teacher, left an indelible mark on the dance community, earning heartfelt tributes from those who knew her intimately. Her demise over the weekend marks the end of a journey that spanned decades within the realm of ballet and modern dance.
Janet Panetta was an esteemed figure within the American Ballet Theatre, boasting extensive expertise in modern dance styles. Her influence extended across continents, coaching dancers in prominent European companies such as ROSAS and Pina Bausch, alongside key American entities including Paul Taylor, Merce Cunningham, and Trisha Brown.
Gayle Gibbons Madeira posted om Facebook,
“Our dear Janet Panetta has taken flight today, to teach the Great Ballet Class in the Sky. She brought ballet back to life for me in 1991 after I had a serious hip injury my freshman year at Purchase in 1988 and lost most of my ability to turn out. I continued to study almost daily with her for 2 decades until transitioning to tango and art. Not only was she my most influential ballet teacher but also one of the best examples of a teacher.“I know I am not alone in saying that her teaching abilities imprinted on me and have deeply influenced the way I teach – even when teaching topics like computer science. This is a very sad day for the dance world, to lose her incredible presence, but it is good that she is has now moved beyond bodily pain, and certainly she lives on in all of the seeds she planted inside all of us who were fortunate enough to experience her.“Rest in peace and power Janet, and I hope it is a grand, grand party.”
Her passion for dance ignited at the Metropolitan Opera Ballet School under the tutelage of distinguished mentors like Margaret Craske, Antony Tudor, and Alfredo Corvino. Panetta’s commitment to her craft saw her transition from being Craske’s teaching assistant at the age of 14 to evolving into a revered dance educator.
Joining the American Ballet Theatre in 1968 marked the beginning of Panetta’s career in modern dance. Her educational journey intertwined with her performance engagements, collaborating with renowned contemporary figures like Paul Sanasardo, Peter Healey, Susan Salinger, Neil Greenberg, and Robert Kovich.
The 1980s propelled Panetta onto an international stage, with France specifically requesting her expertise as the sole ballet instructor at their newly established school for modern dancers. Her influence there shaped the careers of twenty students, including the illustrious choreographer Jerome Bel, all of whom flourished under her guidance.
We join dance communities worldwide mourning the passing of our dear friend Janet Panetta, genius and generous ballet teacher, dancer, choreographer. A great supporter of our work, Janet had a long association with @DanceIreland~her packed classes were legendary and inspirational pic.twitter.com/rItSy7B2zu
— IrishModernDanceTheatreJohnScott (@IMDTJohnScott) December 4, 2023
Panetta’s artistry didn’t escape the notice of critics. Jennifer Dunning of the New York Times, in her 1989 piece, “Why Certain Performers are a Breed Apart,” lauded Janet’s performances as “quietly indelible, intense, and sharply focused, with a smoky, smoldering aura.”
Her global impact continued through engagements with Pina Bausch Tanztheater Wupperthal and P.A.R.T.S., coupled with her dedicated teaching at Impulstanz in Vienna every summer and her New York studio.
As the community mourns her loss, details regarding Janet Panetta’s Obituary and Funeral Arrangements are anticipated to be released by her family in the coming days.
