Following a celebrated career as a professional ballerina and artistic leader, Julie Kent joined Houston Ballet as Artistic Director in July 2023, partnering with Stanton Welch AM to lead the nation’s fourth largest classical ballet company.

From 1985 to 2015, Kent danced with American Ballet Theatre (ABT), serving an historic 29 years. She performed a vast repertoire of classical and neo-classical roles and worked closely with many choreographic luminaries including John Neumeier, Twyla Tharp, Lar Lubovitch, Stanton Welch and Alexei Ratmansky. Kent also performed as a Guest Artist with leading international companies including the Mariinsky Theatre, New York City Ballet, Teatro alla Scala, Stuttgart Ballet, Berlin Staatsballett, Australian Ballet, Houston Ballet, Bayerisches Staatsballett, Teatro Colón, Ballet de Santiago, and Tokyo Ballet.

She also starred in the films Dancers (1987) and Centerstage (2000).

In 2015, she was named Artistic Director of ABT’s Summer Intensive, a comprehensive training program for 1,400 students across five campuses. From 2016 to 2023, she served as Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet, commissioning more than 26 world premieres and expanding the repertoire with classical and contemporary masterworks. 

Her honors include the Prix de Lausanne, Erik Bruhn Prize, Prix Benois de la Danse, Dance Magazine’s “Lifetime Achievement Award,” and honorary doctorates from University of North Carolina School of the Arts and American University.

To learn more about Julie Kent, click here.