Editor’s Note: Steven Melendez is artistic director of New York Theatre Ballet and a subject of the new documentary film “LIFT,” available on Apple and Amazon. He was born in the Bronx, New York, and has danced as a soloist with Ballet Concierto in Argentina, a principal dancer with the Vanemuine Theater Ballet Company in Estonia, and for more than 15 years with New York Theatre Ballet. CNN —Thirty years ago, I lived in a family homeless shelter in New York City, where dreams and struggles often do battle. The LIFT program did not simply introduce me to ballet; it transformed my life. New York Theatre BalletThe rigorous training demands unwavering commitment, punctuality and the relentless pursuit of perfection.

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Persons: Steven Melendez, Steven Melendez Rachel Neville, Diana Byer, Jacques d’Amboise, Talent Organizations: New York Theatre Ballet, Apple, Concierto, Vanemuine Theater Ballet Company, CNN, New York Theatre, US Department of Housing, Urban Development, Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, Coalition, York Theatre Ballet, National Dance Institute Locations: Bronx , New York, Argentina, Estonia, New York City, Bronx, America