Melissa Hough

Melissa Hough (born 1985/1986)[1] is an American ballet dancer who is currently a principal dancer with the Norwegian National Ballet. She was previously a principal dancer with the Boston Ballet and a first soloist with the Houston Ballet.

Melissa Hough
Born1985/1986 (age 34–35)
Maryland, U.S.
EducationKirov Academy of Ballet
Occupationballet dancer
Children1
Current groupNorwegian National Ballet
Former groupsBalletMet
Boston Ballet
Houston Ballet

Early life

Hough was born in Maryland, both of her parents are retired United States Army Field Band musicians. She started dancing at age 3, and switched to a competitive local studio at age 7, where she learned different dance styles. At age 13, she entered the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington DC, under Alla Sizova, but continued dancing with the local studio until she was 17.[1][2]

Career

Hough was an apprentice with the BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio for a year, then joined the Boston Ballet II. She was taken to the main company's corps de ballet at age 19, and was promoted to soloist at age 22. In 2009, at age 24, she was made principal dancer. She was mainly cast in contemporary works, but got more classical roles after she won a bronze medal at the Helsinki International Ballet Competition by dancing a variation from The Sleeping Beauty.[1][3]

Due to frustration with the lack of opportunities to dance classical roles in Boston Ballet, Hough sent a video of her to Stanton Welch, the artistic director of the Houston Ballet, whom she met at BalletMet, and was offered a soloist contract. Hough said she chose to join Houston Ballet was because of its repertoire and facilities. She made her company debut with "Rubies" and "Diamonds" from George Balanchine's Jewels.[1][3][4] She was promoted to first soloist in 2012.[5]

In 2013, she moved to Oslo to join the Norwegian National Ballet. The following year, she appeared in the filmed version of Alexander Ekman's A Swan Lake as the Black Swan.[6] She is currently a principal dancer.[2]

As a choreographer, Hough had created works for the Norwegian National Ballet's Sleepless Beauty program.[7] She is set to return to Boston Ballet to choreograph for the choreograpHER program.[8]

Personal life

Hough has a daughter.[7]

References
  1. Wozny, Nancy (February 25, 2011). "A Daring Move: Melissa Hough is Reinventing Herself at Houston Ballet". Pointe Magazine.
  2. "Melissa Hough". Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  3. Wozny, Nancy (September 1, 2014). "A Fresh Focus". Dance Magazine.
  4. "Cupcakes & Conversation with Melissa Hough, Soloist, Houston Ballet". Ballet News. July 30, 2010.
  5. "Meliss Hough, first soloist". Houston Ballet. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013.
  6. "A Swan Lake". 3 Minutes West. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  7. Wozny, Nancy (April 3, 2019). "How Norwegian National Ballet's Melissa Hough Balances Ballet, Motherhood and Her Rising Choreography Career". Pointe Magazine.
  8. Escoyne, Courtney (February 15, 2020). "In the Works: 9 Projects We're Keeping Tabs On". Dance Magazine.
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