We mourn the loss of our long-time companion, ballet teacher and good friend Janet Panetta, who died of cancer on Saturday, 2 December 2023 at the age of 74. We are so grateful that she accompanied us over 23 festivals, shared her knowledge, expertise and humour with us and the many enthusiastic dancers and that we were able to be part of her life.
Janet began dancing at the age of four and completed her training at the School of American Ballet, where she studied with renowned artists such as George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins. Antony Tudor, Margaret Craske and Alfredo Corvino. She went on to dance with the New York City Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre, the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet and the Eliot Feld Ballet. As a teacher, she taught numerous major dance companies such as the Paul Taylor Dance Company, the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Rosas, Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, the Compagnie Mathilde Monnier, the Ballet Preljocaj, and at various schools such as the Juilliard School, P.A.R.T.S., The New School and CCN Montpellier.
Her influence extended far beyond classical ballet, however. She was known for her unique and innovative approach to contemporary dance, pushing boundaries and challenging traditional notions of movement. With her ballet classes, which were specifically tailored to contemporary dancers, she inspired so many individuals to explore new paths.
We extend our deepest condolences to her family and all those who mourn the loss of Janet with us. You will be missed!
Karl Regensburger, Rio Rutzinger, Fio Losin and the entire ImPulsTanz team
