Principal dancer

A principal dancer (often shortened to principal) is a dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company. A principal may be of any gender and is usually the star of the ballet. The term is used mostly in ballet but can be used in other forms as well, such as modern dance. The term "senior principal dancer" is sometimes used as well.

The position is similar to that of soloist; however, principals regularly perform not only solos, but also pas de deux as well as headlining performances they participate in. Principal dancers can be hired into a dance company or can also be promoted from within the company. That process can take multiple performance seasons to achieve based on skill level and company interest.^{[citation needed]}

Synonyms and origin

The Italian-derived term prima ballerina (female dancers) (primo ballerino for male dancers) or the French-derived term premier danseur (male dancers) have been used to denote similar levels of prominence to the principal dancer. In the Paris Opera Ballet, principal dancers receive the title of danseur étoile.^{[citation needed]}

France

The title of premier danseur is awarded to the dancer who reaches the second-highest rung in the Paris Opéra ballet hierarchy, after having been a sujet.

As early as 1803–1804, the title was used by Jean-Georges Noverre as a synonym for "premier sujet", the highest echelon of the ballet company, before being replaced by "étoile" at the end of the 19th century.

Principal dancers

Martha Graham Modern Dance Company

(as of 2018–2019 seasons)

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (October 2026)

• PeiJu Chien-Pott
• Xin Ying
• Lloyd Knight
• Ben Schultz

See also

• List of dance occupations

References