Who

McKenzie has maintained the American Ballet Theater's rep as one of the world's premiere classical dance companies for more than a decade and a half.

Backstory

The Vermont native danced with the National Ballet of Washington and the Joffrey Ballet in the 1970s, before becoming a soloist at the American Ballet Theater in 1979. McKenzie spent 12 years with the Mikhail Baryshnikov-directed company, performing leading roles in a long list of classics including Carmen, Cinderella, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, and Swan Lake. When Misha stepped down as artistic director in 1992, McKenzie took over. He's been there ever since, and is responsible for bringing Latin heart-stoppers like Jose Manuel Carreno, Paloma Hererra and Angel Corella to the stage. McKenzie's also earned praise for keeping the Metropolitan Opera House's 3,900 seats filled for ABT performances thanks to staples like Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet each spring. While he hasn't attracted the same crowds to performances at City Center, he's been credited with taking risks and showcasing smaller, edgier work at the less rarified venue.

Personal

McKenzie lives with former ballerina Martine Van Hammel on Riverside Drive. The couple also has a home in Woodstock.