Askegard coaching Ballet Academy East students, from DT June 2013

Once you’ve performed with two of the nation’s top ballet companies, some might say you’ve accomplished all a dancer could hope to in the Big Apple. Charles Askegard has certainly made the most of his almost three decades in New York City, performing as a soloist with American Ballet Theatre and as a principal with New York City Ballet, where he worked with legends like Mikhail Baryshnikov and Jerome Robbins. After retiring from the stage in 2011, he co-founded the project-based company Ballet Next with former ABT principal Michelle Wiles and began teaching at Ballet Academy East. (He shared tips for teaching partnering in DT June 2013.) Now, Askegard has announced he is going home. Transitioning fully to the role of administrator, he will return to his native Minneapolis as associate artistic director of Minnesota Dance Theatre. As a child, he trained at the company’s school, now called The Dance Institute. He will work with students there, as well.

“It has always been my dream to give back not only to the dance community but the community as a whole,” he said in statement. “I have the highest of hopes for MDT.”