Neumeier

Neumeier

John Neumeier (born 24 February 1939) is a well-known American ballet dancer, choreographer, and director. He has been the director and chief choreographer of the Hamburg Ballet since 1973. 5 years later he founded the Hamburg Ballet School, which also includes a boarding school. In 1996 Neumeier was made ballet director of the Hamburg State Opera.

Neumeier was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, where he received his first ballet training. He later studied in Copenhagen and at the Royal Ballet School in London. He danced with the Stuttgart Ballet from 1963 to 1969, and was ballet director at the Frankfurt opera house from 1969 to 1973. He then became director and chief choreographer at the Hamburg Ballet. From 1971 through 1974 Neumeier was guest choreographer for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, providing repertoire, and choreographing for that company his highly original "Nutcracker".

In 1992, he received the Prix Benois de la Danse as choreographer.