When New York City Ballet opens its spring season on April 25 at Lincoln Center, it will have nine new soloists, all of whom were promoted from the corps de ballet. The promotions, announced last week, suggest that this is a significant time of growth at the middle level of the company. There will be much to watch as these dancers work toward the ultimate promotion to principal.

ELLEN BAR Even when she was one of 10 dancers in the corps de ballet, Ms. Bar stood out because of her seductive personality. She has a flirtatious look and an equally sinuous style. The second movement of “Stars & Stripes” is an excellent role for her: bold, saucy, and bright. She’s been dancing at the soloist level for a while, so the promotion is fitting.

ANTONIO CARMENA A bouncy, vivacious dancer, Mr. Carmena excels in happy roles. He has the sort of magnetism that makes dance transfixing: Watch him in “Flower Festival in Genzano Pas de Deux” and your cheeks will hurt from smiling. Though he’s a classicist, he’s also well-versed in the repertory of Jerome Robbins. His promotion to principal will probably depend on improving the level of his partnering.

JASON FOWLER This promotion is well-deserved. Mr. Fowler has been a member of the company since 1996. He knows a wide portion of the company’s repertory – and he has become a solid interpreter of it.

Acting seems to come easily; he plays a great Father in “The Nutcracker,” and he adds a funny edge to the Bartender in “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue.” But in the last few seasons, he has become interesting to watch in serious dance roles. He also happens to be quite tall, which helps in partnering some of the taller ladies.

STERLING HYLTIN This is a case of a quick rise to the top. Ms. Hyltin joined the company in 2003. In the 2005-2006 season, she was named the company’s Janice Levin Dancer, an honor that goes to an exceptional corps de ballet member. Other dancers who have received the honor have moved up the system with equal alacrity. Ms. Hyltin is blessed with noticeably quick feet – and a capacity for ballet with verve. She has room to grow at the soloist level, but that will be fascinating to watch.

REBECCA KROHN Hardworking and versatile, Ms. Krohn is a useful, reliable dancer. She’s landed a number of solid roles, and handled them well enough. The promotion is surprising in that there are several people at this level.

SARA MEARNS Peter Martins plucked Ms. Mearns from the corps and gave her the lead in “Swan Lake” this past season. She gave the role a beautiful sense of youth and drama, though with more years, she’ll be able to deepen the emotion. She’s a tall, lithe dancer who can use her upper body quite well. But we really haven’t seen all that much of her – before or since “Swan Lake.” This promotion seems based largely on her ability to step in and take command of Odette/Odile, but if a dancer can pass that test, she can pretty much do anything.

AMAR RAMASAR Mr. Ramasar is one of the first men to join the company after coming up through the School of American Ballet’s Boys Program. A Bronx native, he is a bold presence on stage. His style leans more toward the Robbins repertory, but he’s a joy to watch in just about anything.

JONATHAN STAFFORD Mr. Stafford seems to have burst onto the scene. Though he has been in the company since 1999, he has made a vivid impression only lately. Quick and wily, yet a solid partner, he comes from a ballet family: His sister Abi Stafford is also a soloist with the company.

ANDREW VEYETTE Here we have the makings of a stylish Balanchine male dancer. Fast on his feet, Mr. Veyette projects boldly onstage. His dancing seems to have an enormous potential for growth. What he chooses to do with that potential depends entirely on him.

American Ballet Theatre, too, has some news that affects its talent pool. Kirk Peterson has been named artistic director of ABT Studio Company.A former principal dancer, Mr. Peterson has served the company as a ballet master and a choreographer. He was also the artistic director of the Hartford Ballet from 1993 to 1998. He succeeds John Meehan, who led the Studio Company for eight years.

The Studio Company is made up of 12 dancers (six boys, six girls), and it serves as a feeder for the main company. With the addition of the company’s own ballet school – the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School – ABT has a clear path for young dancers who wish to pursue classical ballet. That ABT has tapped Mr. Peterson, one of its own, to lead the Studio Company will most likely enrich the company’s aesthetic.