 Anna Donovan, Principal Ballet Master |
A native of Ireland, Ms. Donovan joined the Texas Ballet Theater artistic staff in 2000. At the age of ten, Ms. Donovan won a scholarship to train at the prestigious Royal Ballet School in England. From there she went to Elmhurst Ballet School, where she passed all the Royal Academy Examinations with Honors. After touring Europe for several years she joined the Irish National Ballet in 1973 and was rapidly promoted to principal dancer. Recognized for her dramatic abilities and technical prowess, she performed many classical and dramatic roles. During her sixteen-year tenure with INB, she toured extensively in Ireland, in Europe and also the United States. Ms Donovan had the opportunity to work with Sir Anton Dolin, John Gilpin, Hans Brennaa, Peter Darrell, and Domy Reiter-Soffer, as well as many other notable choreographers. She also had many works created for her, one of which was called The Playboy of the Western World, featuring music of the Irish group, The Chieftains. This production toured to Sadlers Wells Theatre in London, to Paris and City Center, New York. In 1989, she focused her energies toward teaching, and was instrumental in
establishing the Professional Dance Diploma Course in Dublin. She joined the
staff of Ballet Dallas in 1991, serving as principal ballet mistress/repetiteur,
and also instructor of the Dallas Conservatory of Ballet. While with Ballet Dallas,
she worked and collaborated with many notable choreographers including Lorraine
Graves (Dance Theatre of Harlem), Fernando Bujones, James Clouser, Vivi Flint,
and Peter Anastos. Since arriving in the United States, Ms. Donovan has been
invited by many organizations nationwide as guest instructor. She was nominated
and is included in Who's Who of Teachers in America, 2000, 2001 and 2005.
Photo Credit |