New York City Ballet announced today the promotions of Soloists Charles Akegard and Monique Meunier to the rank of Principal. Corps de ballet members Alexandra Ansanell, Arch Higgins, Edward Liang, Robert Lyon, Sébastien Marcovici, Benjamin Millepied, Jennie Somogyi and Christopher Wheeldon were promoted to the rank of Soloist.

Charles Askegard, 29, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. Askegard joined the American Ballet Theater in 1987 and was promoted to Soloist in 1992. He left ABT to join New York City Ballet as a Soloist in 1997.

Monique Meunier, 25, was born in Los Angeles, California. In 1988, Ms. Meunier entered the School of AMerican Ballet (SAB), the offical school of New York City Ballet, and was invited to join the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in 1990. She was promoted to the rank of Soloist in 1997.

Alexandra Ansanelli, 17, was born in Laurel Hollow, New York. Ms. Ansanelli began studying at SAB in 1990, and was invited to become an apprentice in the fall of 1996. She became a member of the corps de ballet in December, 1996.

Arch Higgins, 28, was born in Berkeley, California. Mr. Higgins entered SAB in 1986, and was invited to join the Companyas a member of the corps de ballet in 1989.

Edward Liang, 23, was born in Taipei, Taiwan. Mr. Liang entered SAB in 1989, and was made an apprentice in 1993. He was invited to join the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in 1995.

Robert Lyon, 30, was born in Heidelberg, Germany. Mr.Lyon began studying with SAB when he was 16. In 1987, he was invited to join the Company's corps de ballet.

Sébastien Marcovici, 22, was born in Paris, France. Mr. Marcovici studied ballet at the School of the Paris Opera Ballet. In 1993, he was inveited to join NYCB's corps de ballet after taking Company class in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Benjamin Millepied, 21, was born in Bordeaux, France. Mr. Millepied entered SAB in 1993, and was invited to join the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in 1995.

Jennie Somogyi, 21, was born in Easton Pennsylvania. Ms. Somogyi began studying at SAB when she was 9 years old. In 1993, at the age of 15, she became an apprentice with the Compay. She joined the Company in 1994 as a member of the corps de ballet.

Christopher Wheeldon, 25, was born in Yeovil, Somerset, England. Mr Wheeldon studied at The Royal Ballet School and joined The Royal Ballet in 1991. He joined New York City Ballet as a member as a member of the corps de ballet in 1993.