Dancers from Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University, and Columbia gathered at the Alvin Ailey Studios for the Columbia Ballet Collaborative Ivy Ballet Exchange on Sunday. With Yale joining for the first time, this marks the second iteration of the event since its hiatus during the pandemic.
Founded in 2007, Columbia Ballet Collaborative is a student-run organization that bridges the gap between high-caliber professional ballet and Columbia undergraduates—offering free weekly classes and connecting students with top-tier dance companies. Many of its members have trained in ballet since childhood and now refine their craft alongside their academic pursuits at Columbia, presenting a unique artistic opportunity.
“It’s really awesome to see so many people who obviously have been so involved over the course of their lifetimes continue to do it in college,” Tatiana Heintz, CC ’26, said. “It’s just because of the love of performing and wanting to have a community like we have through ballet.”
The club’s annual exchange unites ballet dancers from across the Ivy League for a day of training and showcases, strengthening a shared passion for the art form.