Artistic Director Bruce Marks

The Performance Years

Bruce Marks, a native of New York City, received his performing arts training at the New York High School of Performing Arts, Brandeis University and The Juilliard School. He continued his ballet training with Margaret Craske, Antony Tudor and Mattlyn Gavers at the Metropolitan Opera School and joined the corps de ballet there in 1956 becoming premier danseur in 1958.

Marks joined American Ballet Theatre in 1961 where he excelling in both modern and classical ballets. Shortly after his arrival, he was promoted to principal dancer. During his ten years with ABT, Marks appeared as guest artist with the Royal Swedish Ballet (1963-64) and the London Festival Ballet (1965). In 1971, he became the first American principal dancer with the Royal Danish Ballet remaining for five years.

As a performer, Marks partnered some of the world’s greatest ballerinas, including Natalia Makarova, Cynthia Gregory, Maria Tallchief, Lupe Serrano, Violette Verdy, Melissa Hayden and Toni Lander, whom he married in 1966.