New York City Ballet leader Peter Martins retires

Peter Martins has retired from his post as ‘ballet master in chief’ at the New York City Ballet

The leader of the New York City Ballet has retired from his post amid allegations of sexual harassment and physical and verbal abuse.

In a Monday letter to the ballet’s board members seen by the New York Times, Peter Martins continued to deny the allegations that have hit him since early December.

The 71-year-old had taken a leave of absence in the immediate aftermath of the allegations’ revelation, while at the same time denying any misconduct.

The ballet company is currently investigating the allegations against him.

‘I cooperated fully in the investigation and understand it will be completed shortly. I believe its findings would have vindicated me,’ he wrote in the letter to the board. 

Board members also learned that Martins had been arrested for driving while intoxicated in suburban Westchester County on Thursday, a source told the New York Times. 

The City Ballet’s chairman said in a statement that the company would promptly begin looking for a new ‘ballet master in chief’.

Martins has been hit with multiple allegations of sexual harassment and physical and verbal abuse. When news of the accusations first broke in early December, he took a leave of absence from the company

Martins has been hit with multiple allegations of sexual harassment and physical and verbal abuse. When news of the accusations first broke in early December, he took a leave of absence from the company

Martins, pictured as a young man, has denied the allegations

The 71-year-old was arrested last week for driving while intoxicated

Martins, pictured as a young man, has denied the allegations. The 71-year-old was arrested last week for driving while intoxicated

Five dancers have publicly come forward to allege that Martins verbally and physically abused them.

The Washington Post reported that a former City Ballet dancer Kelly Boal accused Martins of grabbing and shaking her in a violent way during a 1989 incident. Martins denied that allegation to the Post. 

And 24 people total have spoken with the New York Times to describe the ‘culture of intimidation’ in Martins’s world.  

Some said he engaged in sexual relationships with dancers and exploited the power dynamic inherent in him being their boss. 

But other dancers also reached out to the New York Times directly to refute the claims against Martins and insist on his good character. 

 Pictured is a scene from a production put on by the New York City Ballet. Since 1990, Martins had had sole artistic leadership of the company 

 Pictured is a scene from a production put on by the New York City Ballet. Since 1990, Martins had had sole artistic leadership of the company 

 Martins also serves as artistic director of the affiliated School of American Ballet. He is pictured analyzing the style of 8-year-old Clare Herzog in 2009

 Martins also serves as artistic director of the affiliated School of American Ballet. He is pictured analyzing the style of 8-year-old Clare Herzog in 2009

 Martins looks over 8-year-old Stuart Hutzler along with teachers Daci Kistler (center) and Katrina Killian (right)

 Martins looks over 8-year-old Stuart Hutzler along with teachers Daci Kistler (center) and Katrina Killian (right)

Claims of sexual harassment, especially in the highly competitive world of professional dance, are exceedingly rare, according to the Washington Post.

Careers are short in the field, and with directors having vast authority over hiring in firing, they wield tremendous influence over the careers of industry talent.

Martins, a Danish-born dancer, became a principal dancer at the New York City Ballet in 1970.

In 1981 he became balletmaster while still dancing, though retired in 1983 to take on the position full-time as balletmaster-in-chief alongside Jerome Robbins.

Since 1990 he has borne sole responsibility for artistic leadership of City Ballet. 

 



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