Last weekend’s Columbia Classical Ballet production of Swan Lake was directed, staged, and choreographed by world-renowned principal dancer Brooklyn Mack.

Brooklyn Mack, a native of Elgin, South Carolina is the Artistic Director of Columbia Classical Ballet and has attained worldwide acclaim as an independent professional dance artist who remains in high demand. Spanning the globe, Mr. Mack’s travels include Russia (the Bolshoi stage), France (Paris Opera), England (English National Ballet) Korea, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Riga Latvia, Venezuela, Finland, Holland, the Republic of Georgia, and the NY Metropolitan Opera House, to name a few.

A seven-time gold medalist, Mr. Mack is notably the only African-American to be awarded the “Gold Medal” in Varna, Bulgaria, the Creme de la Creme of ballet competitions. Likewise, Mr. Mack is the only African-American to receive the “Grand Prix Award” in Istanbul, Turkey. Other accolades include the prestigious “Princess Grace of Monaco award,” The Marius Liepa Award,” and acknowledgments via NPR, ABC, CNN, NBC, WIS-TV, and the Grio’s List.

Viewed as a quasi-ambassador of dance for the United States, the SC House of Representatives legislated “March 15th as Brooklyn Mack Day in the State of South Carolina,” and the Key to the City of Columbia was awarded by Mayor Steve Benjamin. Mr. Mack, the youngest honoree to be recognized by AT&T’s SC African-American History Calendar has paved his way in the ballet world. Ironically, Mr. Mack is the only African-American to direct a classical ballet company in the state of SC.

As the Artistic Director of Columbia Classical Ballet, Mr. Mack invites you to not only share in his artistry but also in his vision to educate and provide access to the students and the community who have not previously had access or opportunity to partake of this art form.

Caption: Brookyn Mack

October 11, 2023 | Carolina Panorama (Columbia, SC)
Page: A8 | Section: News