Christopher Wheeldon
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- See also: Category:Ballets by Christopher Wheeldon
Christopher Wheeldon ( born March 22, 1973 in Yeovil, Somerset, England) is an international choreographer of contemporary ballet.[1]
Born in Somerset, England, to an engineer and a physical therapist, Wheeldon began training to be a ballet dancer at the age of 8. He attended the Royal Ballet School between the ages of 11 and 18. In 1991, Wheeldon joined the Royal Ballet, London; and in that same year, he won the Gold Medal at the Prix de Lausanne competition. In 1993, at the age of 19, Wheeldon moved to New York City to join the New York City Ballet. Wheeldon was named Soloist in 1998.[2]
Wheeldon began choreographing for the New York City Ballet in 1997, while continuing his career as a dancer. He retired as a dancer in 2000 in order to focus on his choreography.
In 2001, Wheeldon became the New York City Ballet's Resident Choreographer. He was productive in this position, choreographing a number of much lauded works for the troupe. He quickly developed a reputation as a talented choreographer, and several other eminent ballet companies, such as the San Francisco Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet, and the Royal Ballet, London have commissioned dances from him. As of May, 2003, Wheeldon had composed at least 23 works.
In November, 2006, Wheeldon announced the formation of his own dance company, Morphoses. It is a transatlantic company, with a US base at City Centre, New York and in the UK at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London. In its first season, the company performed in Vail, London and New York. [3] Wheeldon completed his tenure as Resident Choreographer of New York City Ballet in February 2008. [2]
[edit] Honors
- Prix de Lausanne, Gold Medal (1991)
- Mae L. Wien Award, School of American Ballet
- Martin E. Segal Award, Lincoln Center, New York City
- London Critics' Circle Award
- American Choreography Award
- Olivier Award
- Dance Magazine Award
[edit] References
- ^ "Christopher Wheeldon, Resident Choreographer," New York City Ballet
- ^ a b Brown, Mark. "Ballet world abuzz at British choreographer's huge gamble," Manchester Guardian, January 5, 2007.
- ^ Playbill, New York City Ballet , January 2008.
- Carman, Joseph. "The evolution of Christopher Wheeldon," Dance Magazine, May, 2003.
- Carman, Joseph. "Christopher Wheeldon: Making the Most Out of Both Ballet Worlds," Dance Magazine, November 1996.
- "Christopher Wheeldon," New York Times archive.
