events, master classes, performances

Native-Houstonian Lauren Anderson danced with Houston Ballet from 1983 to 2006, performing leading roles in all the great classical ballets, appearing across the world to critical acclaim, and becoming one of Houston Ballet’s most beloved stars. 
She trained exclusively at Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy from the age of seven. She joined Houston Ballet in 1983 as a Corps de Ballet, 1987 was promoted to Soloist and in 1990 became the first African-American to be promoted to principal dancer at Houston Ballet. She is also one of the few African-American ballerinas at the head of a major ballet company anywhere in the world. In January 2007, Ms. Anderson assumed her new role of Program Manager for Houston Ballet’s Education and Community Engagement program where she conducts master classes at area schools, and lectures to students on dance and her historic career as one of America’s most distinguished African-American ballerinas. 

Mr. Kelly was recently the Resident Director for the Asia and Paris tour of the Broadway musical ‘An American in Paris’. He had the pleasure of also taking care of the U.S. tour, as well as the Broadway company. This is the third Tony Award winning choreographer he has had the opportunity to work alongside.

Sean is a former Principal dancer and Ballet Master for Houston Ballet. He continues to be a Guest Ballet Master with the company. He danced the leading roles in the company's full length classical ballets- such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Manon, and others. In addition, he had the pleasure of dancing a very mixed repertoire including works by Ben Stevenson, George Balanchine, Christopher Bruce, Paul Taylor, Jiri Kylian, Glen Tetley, and Stanton Welch, among others.

Originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, Allison Miller is a First Soloist with the Houston Ballet. Growing up, she studied ballet in Ellenton, Florida with Diane Partington until the age of 15., when she left Florida to attend North Carolina School of the Arts. She joined American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in 2004 and then joined Houston Ballet in 2006. At Houston Ballet, she has danced soloist and leading roles in many ballets including Ballo della Regina (Balanchine), Serenade (Balanchine), Flower Festival (Bournonville), and Spring Waters (Messerer). She has danced Kitri in Don Quixote (Stevenson), Swanhilda in Coppelia (Stevenson), as well as Clara and The Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker (Stevenson and Welch). 

Originally from Kernersville, NC, Brian received his formal training at NC School of the Arts (now University of NCSA) and Houston Ballet II. Brian has since danced professionally with the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada and The Metropolitan Opera in NYC. In addition to his successful ballet career, Brian has also performed in regional theatre productions of “CATS” (Mistoffelees) and “A Chorus Line” (Larry), as well as in the ensemble of the 1st National Tour of Christopher Wheeldon's Tony Award winning "An American in Paris". Brian now a freelance performer and instructor based out of New York City, where he is also working towards a degree at Columbia University’s School of General Studies. www.briangephart.me

Mark Tucker is honored to be taking part in his twelfth season with Eugene Ballet. Mark began his training in his home state of Hawaii.   As well as continuing his training in Miami, Houston, and Washington DC, Mark attended The North Carolina School of the Arts where he graduated high school and obtained a BFA in Classical Ballet with a minor in Modern Dance. Mark joined Eugene Ballet in 2008 and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2015.  Mark has defined his career as a strong partner and has had the opportunity to be a part of the creation of some of Toni Pimble’s more modern ballet’s including Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of The Moon and “I Want You” in Pimble’s All You Need is Love. Over the course of his career, Mr. Tucker has had the opportunity to dance an expanding range of roles with choreographers and directors both internationally and from across the country.  He also enjoys bringing characters to life onstage in roles such as Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Von Rothbart in Swan Lake, and the sultan in Scheherazade. 

Danielle received her early training from Connecticut Dance School and attended the University of Utah where she graduated with a BFA in Ballet Performance and a BS in Business Management.  She joined Eugene Ballet Company in 2008 as an apprentice, was promoted to the corps de ballet in 2011, and principal in 2015.  During her time with EBC, Danielle has performed numerous lead roles including Aurora, Juliet, Myrtha in Giselle, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Carmen, The Snow Queen, and Anitra in Peer Gynt.  She has also been showcased in various contemporary ballets such as Stephanie Martinez’s Wandering On, Amy Seiwert’s White Noise, Jessica Lang’s Solo in Nine Parts, and Val Caniparoli’s Tutto Eccetto Il Lavandino.  Danielle is an instructor for Eugene Ballet Academy and also performs and teaches throughout the northwest.  She has had the opportunity to perform as a guest artist with Ballet Hawaii in Septime Webre’s Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Peter Pan, and as the Dark Angel and Waltz Girl in George Balanchine’s Serenade.  Last season Danielle was featured as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake and in February welcomed her first child, Luca, with her husband and fellow principal dancer Mark Tucker.