Artistic Director

Prior to joining Oklahoma City Ballet, for three years Robert served as Artistic Director of Ballet Nouveau Colorado bringing the company to a new level of National recognition and success. Now in his third season bringing innovative ideas and an engaging approach to OKC Ballet, the Oklahoman reported: "Oklahoma City Ballet has brought a refreshing change and a sense of renewed vitality to the Oklahoma City dance scene” and that his production of The Nutcracker was “The best production of the ballet to grace the Civic Center Music Hall stage in many years.” The globally read Dance Magazine also recognized Robert and OKC Ballet in their April 2010 edition.

Originally from Northwest Indiana, Robert has considered Oklahoma home since 1993. He began formal training in gymnastics at the age of seven and soon after shifted his focus to dance. He studied in Chicago, concentrating on ballet with renowned pedagogue and author Anna Paskevska, with former soloists of London's Royal Ballet Richard Ellis and Christine DuBoulay, and at the Ruth Page Foundation with Larry Long. While in Chicago he also studied modern dance with Shirley Mordine, Jan Erkert and Paula Frasz. He received further training on full scholarships from the Milwaukee Ballet School, Richmond Ballet, The Rock School in Philadelphia and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City.

Robert enjoyed a vast performing career with Pennsylvania Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet and Eugene Ballet/Ballet Idaho. Critics across the country took note of his crisp technique and inherent acting ability. He has worked with some of ballet's foremost artists including Basil Thompson, Christopher d'Amboise, Gloria Govrin, John Taras and Donald Mahler. His repertoire includes all the classical standards plus works by George Balanchine, Anthony Tudor, Agnes De Mille, Peter Anastos, Margot Sappington, Ann Reinking, Lila York, William Whitener, Toni Pimble and many others. During his time with Kansas City Ballet he worked closely with Todd Bolender and the Balanchine Trust in the reconstruction of the lost George Balanchine ballet Renard.

Robert has toured internationally and appeared as a guest dancer and teacher with regional companies and schools across the United States. A sought after teacher, he teaches on faculty at The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet and has taught at the Kansas City Ballet School and Ballet Idaho Academy along with numerous summer programs across the country including the University of Oklahoma. An accomplished choreographer, he has created ballets for Oklahoma City Ballet, Kansas City Ballet and Ballet Nouveau Colorado among others.

Robert is happy to continue to share his passion and expertise with Oklahoma City and to be a part of the exciting momentum of the city’s renaissance.