Susan Jaffe is considered one of the greatest performing American ballerinas of our time. Critics and standing room audiences the world over have celebrated her singular technique, diversity of style, and acting repertoire.

Born in America's capital, Washington, D.C., she began her career studying at the Maryland School of Ballet. At the age of thirteen, she received a scholarship to the prestigious School of American Ballet, immediately followed by a scholarship to American Ballet Theatre School at age fourteen. Her sixteenth year found her performing with American Ballet Theatre's second company. Ballet Repertory Company, from this point, her career skyrocketed.

In 1980, she was offered a contract by American Ballet Theatre's, then Artistic Director, Mikhail Baryshnikov. Her first performance with the company quickly proved her mettle by replacing the legend Gelsey Kirkland in Susan's hometown, at the Kennedy Center, partnered by ballet star Alexander Godunov in Pas de D'Esclaves. Success followed success as she was promoted to principle ballerina of American Ballet Theatre where her career has become legendary.

During her extraordinary artistic odyssey, Ms. Jaffe has performed with the greatest of dance partners including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Alexander Godonov, Julio Bocca, Fernando Bujones, and Jose Carreno. She has performed both classical and contemporary works by legendary choreographers, including but not limited to: Marius Petipa, Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Anthony Tudor, Jiri Kilyan, and Nacho Duarte.

Whether in Moscow, Paris, Tokyo, London, or New York critics have extolled her gifts:

"Jaffe movingly shows us the descent of the unloved heroine into madness. How this woman's dancing has deepened in the past few years!" Deborah Jowitt, Village Voice 1999.

"Miss Jaffe brought complexity and understanding to her role. Her dance acting was glorious. She conveyed a web of complex feelings that exploded with dramatic power." Anna Kisselgoff, New York Times 2001.

In her career, Miss Jaffe has been the most prominent and celebrated American ballerina in advertising history, successfully crossing over as an "on camera" and "print" representative for products ranging from; Danskin to Dryers Frozen Yogurt, and indelible international ads for Movado Time Pieces.

Her film and television credits have included numerous appearances on Dance in America. Angie with Geena Davis and in the 1995 Miss Jaffe starred in the documentary Ballet directed by Frederick Wiseman.

As Miss Jaffe continues her meteoric mission with American Ballet Theatre, her upcoming 2002 season promises yet another triumph. Her pioneering work as an actress also continues: her one-woman show is presently in development. Miss Jaffe's star continues to ascend... Brilliantly.