LOCAL 802 NYC BALLET ORCHESTRA MUSICIANS ANNOUNCE 3-YEAR CONTRACT
Contract includes meaningful wage increases, healthcare protections, and quality of life improvements
NEW YORK, SEPT. 15, 2026 – The New York City musicians’ union (AFM Local 802) and the New York City Ballet have reached a successful resolution to negotiations, resulting in a three-year contract for orchestra members that includes meaningful wage increases, healthcare protections, and quality-of-life improvements.
Local 802 President Dan Point said: “Our members stood together through every stage of this negotiation, and that solidarity is what produced a contract worthy of the NYCB musicians who bring the company’s musical repertoire to life. The agreement recognizes the artistry and dedication our members carry into the pit every night, and we look forward to a great season at Lincoln Center with a full orchestra playing music that matches the brilliance of New York City Ballet’s dancers on stage. I would also like to thank our negotiating committee for the long hours behind this deal.”
NYCB Executive Director Katherine Brown said: “New York City Ballet is happy that a contract agreement has been reached with Local 802 as NYCB prepares for the opening of its 2026-27 season, which begins on Tuesday, September 22 with George Balanchine’s masterpiece Jewels, featuring the brilliant NYCB Orchestra performing timeless scores by Fauré, Stravinsky, and Tschaikovsky. The marriage of music and dance was central to the vision of our co-founders George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, and continues to inform everything we do at New York City Ballet. Our extraordinary dancers and musicians are among the greatest performers in the world, and we look forward to another wonderful season at Lincoln Center.”
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ABOUT LOCAL 802
Local 802 represents thousands of highly skilled musicians who drive New York City’s thriving cultural and tourism economy. Its members — who perform on Broadway, at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and Radio City, in recording studios, as teaching artists, on late-night TV shows and in other televised bands, in hotels, clubs, festivals and venues across NYC — are protected by collective bargaining agreements ensuring proper classification, fair treatment and a living wage.
ABOUT NEW YORK CITY BALLET
New York City Ballet is one of the foremost dance companies in the world. The Company was founded in 1948 by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, and quickly became world-renowned for its athletic and contemporary style. Now under the direction of NYCB Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford, NYCB Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan, and NYCB Executive Director Katherine Brown, NYCB is committed to promoting creative excellence and nurturing a new generation of dancers and choreographers.
