Originally from central Maine, Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye began his ballet training at the age of 16, working with renowned Kirov Ballet Dancer, Andrei Bossov as well as The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division. Upon graduating from Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Jolicoeur-Nye attended the Banff Summer Arts Festival where he performed the principal role in Fernand Nault’s Carmina Burana. Jolicoeur-Nye went on to dance for Festival Ballet of Providence, Eugene Ballet, and Ballet Idaho where he was promoted to principal dancer in 2011.
In 2012, Jolicoeur-Nye joined Kansas City Ballet where he danced many principal roles, including Jerome Robbins’ Fancy Free, Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland), Michael Pink’s Dracula, as well as Devon Carney’s Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Nutcracker. Jolicoeur-Nye retired from Kansas City Ballet in 2016 and eventually became the second company manager. In 2018, Jolicoeur-Nye was named Artistic Director of Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre based in Bentonville. Under his tenure, the company experienced exponential growth, creating more than 80 performances and reaching over 28,000 area residents.
As a choreographer, he has created ballets for Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre, Ballet Idaho, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Moving Arts Dance Festival, and Ballet Des Moines, among others. Jolicoeur-Nye was named “Outstanding Choreographer” at the 2017 Youth American Grand Prix as well as “Best Choreographer” at the World Ballet Art Competition (WBAC) Grand Prix 2019.
Jolicoeur-Nye joined Oklahoma City Ballet in August 2020 as a Rehearsal Director, working closely with company dancers and creating choreographer for several short works. In January 2022, he was named Acting Artistic Director.
Jolicoeur-Nye is married to Racheal Nye, School Director for the Oklahoma City Ballet Yvonne Chouteau School and together they have two children who often dance student roles in Oklahoma City Ballet productions. In his free time, Ryan enjoys playing music, painting, cooking, and family time.