in 1980, andersen joined the new york city ballet on george balanchine’s invitation and plunged into the task of learning thirty-five ballets within the first three months of his tenure there, including the intricate choreography of balanchine's "symphony in c" (first movement) and "ballo della regina". so successful was he at adapting himself to the balanchine style that the great choreographer created principal roles for him in "ballade" (1980), "robert schumann's davidsbündlertänze" (1980), and "mozartiana" (1981). peter martins and jerome robbins also created roles for him in a number of works. altogether, andersen appeared in some sixty ballets during his ten years with the company. in all, his elegant demeanor and technical aplomb were applauded by audiences and critics alike.