Position: Artistic Director, Associate Emeritus

Affiliation with organization: 2005 – 2016

Years active at YAGP: 2012 – Present

Franco De Vita received his dance training in his home country of Italy, earning teaching qualifications and acquiring the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma, the highest teaching degree given by the Italian Ministry of Education. Together with Raymond Lukens, Mr. De Vita directed the Hamlyn School of Dance in Florence, Italy before moving to the United States, where he has taught for American Ballet Theatre, ABT Studio Company, Boston Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Ailey School and Hartford Ballet. Mr. De Vita was Dean of Faculty and Curriculum at Boston Ballet School before joining The ABT JKO School as its Director. Together with Raymond Lukens, Mr. De Vita authored he ABT National Training Curriculum. He currently appears as a Guest Master Teacher in the U.S. and internationally.