NYCB's Sara Mearns Named Principal Dancer

New York City Ballet dancer Sara Mearns has been promoted to the rank of principal dancer by NYCB's ballet master in chief, Peter Martins, the company announced Tuesday.

The dancer has performed for the company in George Balanchine's "Diamonds from Jewels," his "Nutcracker," Robert Schumann's "Davidsbündlertäze" and, most recently, Vincenzo Bellini's "La Sonnambula," among others.

Ms. Mearns joined NYCB as a student in 2001. She became an apprentice in 2003, and after joining the company was promoted to soloist in March 2006. Ms. Mearns was a recipient of the Mae L. Wien Award in 2003 for outstanding promise.