Daniel Ulbricht presented with 2024 Steven Caras Award
On January 7, 2024, Daniel Ulbricht was presented with the 2024 Steven Caras Award at Boca Ballet Theatre’s “A Starry Night” Gala. This lifetime achievement in the arts award celebrates the recipient’s exceptional service in promoting, preserving, and perpetuating the art of dance in the 21st century. We were proud to confer this award to an accomplished artist, educator, advisor, and advocate for the performing arts. Read more about Daniel’s exceptional career below, and join us in congratulating him on this exciting achievement!
Steven Caras and Daniel Ulbricht with their awards.
Born in Florida, Daniel Ulbricht began his dance training at the Judith Lee Johnson Studio of Dance. At the age of 16, he was invited to train at the School of American Ballet during their Winter Program. While a student at SAB, he was selected to debut an original role with New York City Ballet as a Jester in Peter Martins’ new production of The Sleeping Beauty. In December 2000, he became an apprentice with NYCB, and in November 2001, he joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet. He was chosen to be the Janice Levin Dancer Honoree for 2003-2004. In January 2005, Daniel was promoted to the rank of soloist and then to principal dancer in May 2007. As a NYCB dancer, Daniel has performed featured roles in many ballets in the Company’s repertory, including original principal roles crafted by ballet’s most celebrated choreographers.
In 2008, Daniel formed his own small touring company, Daniel Ulbricht & Friends, and began to perform in locations across the United States. In 2013, the company was renamed and expanded to what is now known as Stars of American Ballet. Its mission has grown to present exceptional ballet performances to underserved areas, making it both affordable and accessible. In addition to performing in a given location, Daniel offers dance education programs consisting of master classes, pre-performance lectures, and community outreach projects to help cultivate current and new generations of dance audiences.
Daniel currently serves on the Advisory Board of Boca Ballet Theatre, as the Artistic Advisor to Manhattan Youth Ballet, and as the Artistic Director of the New York State Summer School for the Arts in Saratoga Springs, New York. In addition to serving as guest teacher at the School of American Ballet and Ballet Academy East, Daniel teaches at many well-known dance schools, private schools, and universities throughout the United States and has taught company class at NYCB and for the Youth America Grand Prix. A highly sought-after guest artist, Daniel gives his time generously to companies with a focus on developing young dancers.
Daniel Ulbricht’s masterful technique, explosive artistry, boundless energy, pristine professionalism, humble spirit, and a heart of gold make him a deserving recipient of this year’s Steven Caras Award. We hope you’ll join us in congratulate him on his many exceptional accomplishments!