Biography

 

JOSEPH PHILLIPS

Hailed by the international press as “Ballet’s Golden Boy,” Joseph Phillips is a rare technically astute dancer with an impressive array of awards and medals.  Phillips holds more internationally prestigious gold medals for dance than any other American dancer and was also awarded the Les Etoiles de Ballet in Cannes and Paris (France).  He was also awarded the Key to Columbia, the capital city of South Carolina (USA).

Phillips’ Olympic quality accomplishments were recognized when he was chosen to light the Olympic torch in the 2006 USA International Ballet Competition Opening ceremonies.

Following closely upon his successes in the competitive arena of international ballet Phillips was invited to join the San Francisco Ballet and then became soloist with the Miami City Ballet.  He currently dances with the American Ballet Theatre where he continually garners both critical and audience accolades.

Phillips began his dance studies in Columbia, South Carolina. He completed his studies at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and also attended both the School of American Ballet and the SC Governor’s School for the Arts.   His main teacher and coach is Stanislav Issaev.  He was also trained and coached by a galaxy of ballet’s most celebrated teachers including Warren Conover, Shamil Yagudin, Melissa Hayden, Gyula Pandi, Helgi Tomasson and Edward Villella.  His repertory is extensive and equally as impressive.

Phillips is noted not only for the clarity and purity of his dance lines, but also for the strength and virility he brings to every role together with the magnetic energy and flawless musicality he brings to his performances.  He is truly a classical bravura dancer.  He is invited to perform as principal guest artist throughout the North and South America, Europe and Asia.

“Holds more Gold Medals than any other American male dancer”

  • Named  LES ÉTOILES DE BALLET2000 of Cannes & Paris, France in 2007
  • Gold Medal at Seoul International Dance Competition in Seoul, South Korea 2008
  • Gold Medal at USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson Mississippi 2002
  • Gold Medal at the First Prague International Ballet Competition 2002
  • Gold Medal at Youth America Grand Prix Finals, NY 2002
  • Gold Medal and Grand Prix atYouth America Grand PrixRegional 2002
  • Coca-Cola Scholarship Recipient awarded by American Ballet Theater 2001
  • Key to the City of Columbia, South Carolina 2003
  • Jury Prize at the Helsinki International Ballet Competition in Helsinki, Finland 2001

Education:

  • North Carolina School of the Arts, Ballet 2001-2002, 2002-2003 (full scholarship)
  • South Carolina Governor’s School of the Arts and Humanities, 1999-2000, 2000-2001
  • American Ballet Theater Summer Intensive New York 2001 (full scholarship)
  • School of American Ballet 1999, 2000 (full scholarship)

Ballet Training:

  • Stanislav Issaev, Coach, Gold Medalist, Moscow Classical Ballet
  • Warren Conover, Coach, American Ballet Theater
  • Melissa Hayden, Coach, New York City Ballet
  • Gyula Pandi, Coach, Hungarian National Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts

NCSA: Melissa Hayden, Susan McCullough, Warren Conover, Duncan Noble, Gyula Pandi, Frank Smith, Fanchon Cordell, Nina Danilova, Christine Spizzo, Gina Vidal

Contemporary Training: Mark Diamond, Gerri Houlihan, Sandra Neels, Trish Casey, Brenda Daniels, Dianne Markham, Sean Sullivan

Performances:

  • Coppelia, Franz, full length ballet, staged by Stanislav Issaev, choreography by Arthur- Saint Leon
  • Don Quixote, Baslio, full length ballet
  • Giselle, Albrecht, choreography by Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot.
  • Le Corsaire Pas de Deux, choreography by Marius Petipa
  • La Bayadere Pas de Deux, Act I choreography by Marius Petipa
  • Flames of Paris Pas de Deux, choreography by Vasily Vainonen
  • Giselle Act II Pas de Deux, choreography by Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot, and Marius Petipa
  • La Fille Mal Garde variation, choreography by Jean Dauberval
  • Flower Festival in Genzano Pas de Deux, choreography by August Bournonville
  • Lacrymosa, choreography by Edward Stierle
  • Nutcracker Cavalier, Snow Pas de Deux, Toy Soldier, choreography by Robert Lindgren
  • Don Quixote Pas de Deux, choreography by Marius Petipa, staged by Warren Conover
  • Symphony 13, Male lead, choreography by Duncan Noble
  • Sleeping Beauty, Prince, choreography by Marius Petipa
  • Stars and Stripe, lead, full ballet,choreography by Balanchine, staged by Melissa Hayden
  • Giselle, Peasant Pas de Deux, choreography by Helgi Tomasson, staged by Helgi Tomasson
  • Swan Lake, Pas de Trois, choreography by Helgi Tomasson, staged by Helgi Tomasson
  • Sleeping Beauty, Blue Bird Pas de Deux, choreography by Marius Petipa, staged by Helgi Tomasson
  • Concerto Grosso, choreography by Helgi Tomasson
  • Spring Round, Company B, and Airs, choreography by Paul Taylor
  • Artifact Suite, choreography byWilliam Forsythe
  • Tarantella, choreography by Balanchine, staged by Edward Villella