Robert Tewsley
Choreologist, Stager of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's ChoreographiesBiography
Robert Tewsley, born in Leicester, England, is a distinguished ballet dancer and choreographer renowned for his versatility and contributions to the art form. He received his training at the Royal Ballet School in London, laying the foundation for a remarkable international career.
In 1990, Tewsley joined the National Ballet of Canada, ascending to the rank of Principal Dancer by 1994. His repertoire there included leading roles in works by George Balanchine, Erik Bruhn, and John Cranko, among others. In 1996, he became a Principal Dancer with the Stuttgart Ballet, further expanding his repertoire with performances in ballets such as Onegin, Swan Lake, and Romeo and Juliet. His tenure in Stuttgart was marked by collaborations with choreographers like William Forsythe and Glen Tetley, and he originated roles in creations by Mauro Bigonzetti and Christian Spuck.
Tewsley briefly joined The Royal Ballet in 2002 before moving to the New York City Ballet as a Principal Dancer. His performances there encompassed Balanchine classics like Apollo and The Four Temperaments, as well as works by Jerome Robbins. Since 2004, he has pursued a freelance career, making guest appearances with companies worldwide, including La Scala Milan, Vienna State Opera Ballet, and the Australian Ballet.
Beyond performance, Tewsley has contributed to the ballet community as a coach and stager of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's ballets, sharing his extensive experience with dancers globally. His career and impact on ballet have been documented in the book Dancing Beyond Borders by Dr. Julia Bührle, published in 2012.
Tewsley's artistry has been recognized with accolades, including being named Dancer of the Year in 2002 by Dance Europe magazine. His enduring influence continues as he imparts his knowledge to the next generation of dancers, ensuring the perpetuation of ballet's rich tradition.