Cory Stearns

Born on Long Island, New York, Cory Stearns began his classical training at Seiskaya Ballet with Mme. Valia Seiskaya. At fifteen, he participated in the Youth America Grand Prix and was offered a full scholarship to the Royal Ballet School in London. During his training there, he performed in Madrid, Moscow, Milan and Germany. His principal roles included principal roles in Mark Annear’s Mendelssohn Concerto, Kenneth Macmillan’s Concerto, Kirk Peterson’s Eyes That Gently Touch, Robert Hill’s Piano Concerto #2, and Barry Moreland’s Fearful Symmetries. In March 2004, Stearns appeared with Kylie Minogue in her music video Chocolate. Upon graduating from the Royal Ballet School with honors, he received, for the second year, the Dame Ruth Railton Award for excellence in dance.

Stearns joined American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company in September 2004, the main Company as an apprentice in January 2005 and as a member of the corps de ballet in January 2006. He was appointed a Soloist in January 2009.

Stearns repertory with the Company includes a featured role in Brief Fling, Conrad in Le Corsaire, a leading role in Études, Her Lover in Jardin aux Lilas, a Carnival Dancer in Othello, Romeo and Paris in Romeo and Juliet, the Celtic Prince and a Fairy Knight in The Sleeping Beauty, Rothbart in Swan Lake, Act III, James in La Sylphide, Orion and Apollo in Sylvia, leading roles in Allegro Brillante and Études and roles in Citizen, Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes, Everything Doesn't Happen at Once, The Leaves Are Fading, Overgrown Path and Rabbit and Rogue. Stearns created roles in From Here On Out and One of Three.

Stearns won the 2009 Erik Bruhn Prize for best male dancer.

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