Zalman Raffael, Artistic Director & CEO, known as Zali, was born in New York City and began his ballet training at the School of American Ballet at age eight under the mentorship of Olga Kostritzky. Growing up at the heart of American ballet, he was immersed not only in the artistry of music and dance but also in the inner workings of a major arts institution. From learning how tickets were sold and audiences cultivated to observing how fundraising sustained productions, he gained early insight into what it takes to keep a ballet company thriving. During this time, he performed in children’s roles with both New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, giving him a unique perspective on professional ballet life. At just 13, he revealed his choreographic talent by creating a work for SAB’s choreographic workshop, an endeavor he continued throughout his time at the school. Guest appearances at academies across the Northeast further enriched his artistic growth, laying the foundation for the broad perspective he brings to Carolina Ballet.
After graduating, Zali joined Carolina Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet. Over six years, he rehearsed the company’s children for productions, contributed to fundraising initiatives, staged established works, and created original pieces. After his dancing career, he became choreographer in residence and then co-director, before being fully appointed Artistic Director and CEO in 2019. In this role, he has created over 50 ballets, cultivating a repertoire that balances beloved classics with innovative new works by both Zali and esteemed guest choreographers.
His first year as full Artistic Director coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he led the company through unprecedented challenges. He ensured that all dancers and staff retained their jobs, transitioned performances online, maintained and engaged the patron base, and created opportunities for dancers to continue performing despite restrictions.
In 2019, in partnership with the Board of Directors, Zali founded the School of Carolina Ballet, extending the company’s reach to future generations of dancers. He later oversaw the move into a state-of-the-art facility, providing infrastructure to support a flourishing company while continuing the pursuit of a long-term permanent home for Carolina Ballet. His commitment to accessibility is evident in programs such as the foster children’s dance initiative and reduced ticket pricing for essential workers, ensuring ballet remains within reach of the wider community.
During this period of enormous transition, Zali displayed strong artistic leadership while the company navigated the move into its current facility — a complex, multi-phase undertaking that demanded both vision and institutional expertise. Throughout the process, remaining deeply engaged in fundraising and long-term planning, he ensured that the company not only stayed strong but continued to grow. Significant headway has already been made in securing a permanent home for Carolina Ballet, a major and ambitious project that will provide the stability and infrastructure needed to support the company for generations. This vision extends far beyond the present moment: to build an enduring institution that will nurture artists, support audiences, and serve the community for generations to come.
