Biography

Christian Richards
Department: Dance
Title: Lecturer (2008)
Office: Lilian Welsh 105
Website: http://www.goucher.edu/dance

Under the tutelage of Mary-Margaret Holt, Dennis Poole & Stephen Jenkins at the University of Oklahoma, Christian Ian Richards began his formal ballet training. During this time he was honored with the Yvonne Chouteau Award for the outstanding ballet student. His passion awakened, he continued his training during summer sessions with renowned academies such as Houston Ballet Academy, Richmond Ballet Academy and Columbia Ballet Theatre all under full scholarship. Mr. Richards went on to dance professionally for Ballet Oklahoma, Ballet Arkansas, Ohio Ballet, Cleveland-San Jose Ballet and Nevada Dance Theatre as a soloist. This has given him the chance to perform in a variety of classical and contemporary works including “Nutcracker”, “Carmen”, “Carmina Burina”, “Bolero” and “Alegro Brillante”. In 1999 Choreographer Donald Byrd created the principal role in the world premier of “Ellington Phantasia” for him. In 2001 he received his Master’s Degree in Choreographic Theory and Practice from Southern Methodist University. In his efforts to keep his work innovative and fresh he has challenged himself with choreographing over 20 ballets ranging from contemporary in style to classical. He has served as the Educational Coordinator for Ohio Ballet, Principal Faculty for the Academy of Ballet Arkansas and the Hathaway Ballet Academy, Interim Artistic Director of Kingsport Ballet Theatre, and adjunct faculty for Brookhaven Community College in Dallas, TX.