Jonathan Stafford - New York City Ballet

Jonathan Stafford

Photo © Paul Kolnik 
Background
Born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Jonathan Stafford began his dance training at the age of eight with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet in Carlisle, under the direction of Marcia Dale Weary. Mr. Stafford entered the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet full time in the fall of 1997. Mr. Stafford was invited to become an apprentice with New York City Ballet in October 1998 and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in February 1999. In March of 2006 he was promoted to soloist.  Mr. Stafford was promoted to principal dancer in May 2007.
Featured Roles Since Joining NYCB

Since joining New York City Ballet, Mr. Stafford has danced featured roles in:

George Balanchine's:

  • Firebird
  • The Four Temperaments
  • Divertimento No. 15
  • George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™ (Cavalier, Hot Chocolate, Host, and Mother Ginger)
  • "Emeralds" and "Diamonds" from Jewels
  • A Midsummer Night's Dream (Lysander)
  • Orpheus
  • Prodigal Son
  • Symphony in C (First Movement)
  • Tschaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2
  • Western Symphony (First Movement)

Peter Martins':

  • A Fool for You
  • Octet
  • Romeo + Juliet (Friar Lawrence)
  • The Sleeping Beauty (Prince Désiré, Gold)
  • Songs of the Auvergne
  • Swan Lake (Pas de Quatre and Spanish)
  • The Waltz Project

Jerome Robbins':

  • 2 & 3 Part Inventions
  • Dances at a Gathering
  • Fancy Free
  • Fanfare (Double Bass)
  • Interplay

and Christopher Wheeldon's:

  • Klavier
  • Polyphonia

Mr. Stafford also originated a featured role in:

  • Peter Martins' Romeo + Juliet (Paris)
  • Alexei Ratmansky's Russian Seasons

Mr. Stafford also originated corps roles in:

  • Mauro Bigonzetti's In Vento
  • Boris Eifman's Musagète
  • Eliot Feld's Organon
  • Mr. Martins' Burleske, Chichester Psalms, Hallelujah Junction (NYCB premiere) and Octet (NYCB premiere)
  • Susan Stroman's Double Feature (Preacher)
  • Richard Tanner's Soirée
  • Mr. Wheeldon's Shambards and Variations Sérieuses
Honors
Mr. Stafford received the Martin E. Segal Award from the School of American Ballet in 1999.
Film Credits
His film work includes Columbia Pictures' Center Stage.
Additional Information
Mr. Stafford is the brother of NYCB Principal Dancer Abi Stafford.