New York City Ballet announced today that Gonzalo Garcia will join the Company as a Principal Dancer beginning with the 2007-2008 winter season.

A native of Zaragoza, Spain, Mr. Garcia received his ballet training at Estudio de Danza de amria Avila and at the San Francisco Ballet School.  He joined San Francisco Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in 1998, was promoted to soloist in 2000, and in 2002 was named a principal dancer.  He left San Francisco Ballet following the 2007 spring season.

With San Francisco Ballet, Mr. Garcia danced an extensive repertory including numerous ballets by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Helgi Tomasson.  He has also danced featured roles in works by Christopher Wheeldon, William Forsythe, and Alexei Ratmansky.  

Mr. Garcia made his NYCB debut in May 2004 as a guest artist dancing Balanchine’s Ballo della Regina as part of the Balanchine Centennial celebration.  He is also a 2000 recipient of the Princess Grace Award, and in 1995 he became the youngest dancer ever to receive a Gold Medal at the Prix de Lausanne.

New York City Ballet’s 2007-2008 season will begin with the Company’s annual Opening Night Benefit on Tuesday, November 20.  For more information please call 212-870-5570 or visit www.nycballet.com.