Sarah Lane
Born 1984 · Age 41
American ballet dancer; longtime member and former principal of American Ballet Theatre; served as dance double for Natalie Portman in the film Black Swan; recipient of multiple national/international awards.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in San Francisco, California
Sarah Lane was born in San Francisco, California.
Began dance training at Classical Ballet Memphis (approx.)
Began training in dance at Memphis Classical Ballet (approximate childhood start of formal training). Year estimated from biographical timeline.
Family moved to Rochester; trained at Draper Center (approx.)
Family relocated to Rochester, New York; continued training at the Draper Center for Dance Education. Year is an estimate based on later events.
Attended Boston Ballet Summer Program on full scholarship
At age 16 Lane attended the Boston Ballet's Summer Program on a full scholarship.
Won North American Ballet Festival first place & Capezio Class Excellence Award
Awarded first place and the Capezio Class Excellence Award at the North American Ballet Festival.
Won North American Ballet Festival first place & Capezio Award (again)
Repeat win: first place and Capezio Class Excellence Award at the North American Ballet Festival.
Youth America Grand Prix: Bronze Medal
Won the bronze medal at the Youth America Grand Prix Competition.
YoungArts Winner (National YoungArts Foundation)
Named a National YoungArts Foundation Winner in Dance/Ballet; became a YoungArts alumnus.
U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts; performed at the Kennedy Center
Selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts and performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. as part of that honor.
Jackson International Ballet Competition: highest medal (Junior Division)
Received the highest medal in the Junior Division (Jackson International Ballet Competition).
Joined American Ballet Theatre Studio Company
Joined American Ballet Theatre's Studio Company (listed by StepsNYC).
Joined American Ballet Theatre as apprentice
Joined ABT as an apprentice in August 2003.
Became member of ABT corps de ballet
Promoted to the company's corps de ballet in April 2004.
Princess Grace Award recipient
Received a Princess Grace Award in 2007.
Cover model: Dance Magazine (June 2007)
Featured as the June 2007 cover model for Dance Magazine.
Appointed Soloist at American Ballet Theatre
Appointed a Soloist with ABT in August 2007.
Married Luis Ribagorda
Married fellow ABT corps member Luis Ribagorda in December 2007.
Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts
Awarded the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts (2008).
ABC News feature video with Luis Ribagorda
ABC News produced a video segment featuring Sarah Lane and husband Luis Ribagorda (Sept 25, 2008).
Interview Magazine feature: 'Dance Off'
Interview Magazine published a profile of Sarah Lane (Nov 22, 2008).
Served as Natalie Portman's dance double in Black Swan
Served as a 'dance double' for Natalie Portman in the 2010 film Black Swan.
Public responses by Benjamin Millepied and Darren Aronofsky regarding Black Swan
Choreographer Benjamin Millepied and director Darren Aronofsky publicly defended Natalie Portman; part of the larger Black Swan double controversy.
Dance Magazine blog March 3, 2011 sparked Black Swan debate
Wendy Perron's Dance Magazine blog questioned whether Portman performed all the dancing, sparking public debate (March 3, 2011).
WSJ article cites Lane: 'Natalie Portman's 'Black Swan' Dance Double Says She Deserves More Credit'
Christopher Farley (WSJ) covered Lane's contention she deserved more credit for the dancing (March 26, 2011).
Authored Wall Street Journal essay: 'My (Double) Life as a Black Swan.'
Sarah Lane wrote a first-person piece in The Wall Street Journal (March 30, 2011) about her role as the film's dance double and the ensuing controversy.
Performed as international guest artist (career-spanning milestone)
Performed as an international guest artist with companies such as Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, Kremlin Ballet, Barcelona Ballet, NBA Ballet Company and Hong Kong Ballet (appearances took place across her career; year chosen as midpoint estimate).
Originated role: Princess Praline in Whipped Cream
Originated the role of Princess Praline in ABT's production of Whipped Cream (created role credit).
Role debuts at ABT Met season (Giselle, Swan Lake, Souvenir)
Made four successful role debuts in ABT's 2017 Met season, including the title role in Giselle, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, and a leading role in Souvenir d'un lieu cher.
New York Times: called Lane's debut in Giselle 'distinguished'
The New York Times review praised Sarah Lane's debut in Giselle as 'distinguished' (article dated July 7, 2017).
Promoted to Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre
Officially promoted to Principal Dancer at ABT in September 2017 following high-profile role debuts.
Performed many principal roles across ABT repertoire (ongoing career milestone)
Danced leading roles in Manon, Giselle, Swan Lake, La Bayadère, Coppélia, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, Theme and Variations, and more (repertoire consolidation through late 2010s).
Term with American Ballet Theatre ended
Sarah Lane's tenure with ABT concluded in 2020.
Starred in Richmond Ballet's Swan Lake (Feb 2020)
Performed in Richmond Ballet's Swan Lake in February 2020, partnered by Cory Stearns; she stepped in a day after performing Giselle in DC when scheduled guest artists could not travel.
Began pivot to teaching, coaching and business/health education (approx.)
Became active as an international guest teacher, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, completed/attended Harvard 'Crossover into Business' program, and worked as rehearsal director/school director; dates approximate and career transition continued after ABT.
Pointe Magazine interview about leaving ABT
Pointe Magazine published 'Sarah Lane Opens Up About Her Career, Leaving ABT and Her Hopes for the Future' (May 26, 2021).
Listed as completing BFA / working as rehearsal & school director (approx.)
Sources note she is completing her BFA and has worked as a rehearsal director and school director; timeline approximate and ongoing.
Residence: Jersey City, New Jersey (established during career)
Sarah Lane and her husband Luis Ribagorda reside in Jersey City, New Jersey (noted in multiple profiles; residence established during ABT career).
Appointed Director of the School of Ballet Rhode Island
Named School Director at Ballet Rhode Island (School of Ballet RI) — announcement dated July 27, 2023.
Resigned as Director of School of Ballet RI
Resigned from the School Director role at Ballet Rhode Island in December 2023 after a brief tenure.
Key Achievement Ages
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