Francia Russell

Francia Russell (born January 10, 1938) is the former co-artistic director of Pacific Northwest Ballet and former director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet School, from 1977 to 2005. She was a soloist with the New York City Ballet, where she later became ballet master. In 1975, Russell became co-artistic director of Frankfurt Ballet with her husband, Kent Stowell, and in 1977, they accepted the position of artistic directors of Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle, Washington. With Stowell, Russell built Pacific Northwest Ballet from a local organization to one of national and international prominence.

Career Russell's professional dance career began in 1956, when George Balanchine offered her a contract with the New York City Ballet; she was promoted to soloist in 1959. She retired from NYCB in 1961, danced for a year with Jerome Robbins's Ballets USA, and taught at the School of American Ballet. She attended New York University and in 1964, Balanchine convinced Russell to return to NYCB as ballet master, where she was responsible for rehearsing and teaching the company, in addition to staging Balanchine ballets worldwide.

In 1975, Russell became co-artistic director of the Frankfurt Ballet in Germany with her husband, Kent Stowell. In 1977, Russell and Stowell accepted the position of artistic directors of Pacific Northwest Ballet, with Russell becoming the director of Pacific Northwest Ballet School.

As director of the school from 1977 to 2005, Russell created a curriculum that included other dance forms and a written syllabus focused on the critical early years of classical ballet training. Educational outreach programs, in cooperation with local community organizations and schools, became part of the school's mission. In 1994, she formed DanceChance, aimed at finding and training future artists that reflect diversity within the ballet community. Hand-selected from local public schools, the program has provided the opportunity for young children to train on full scholarship at PNBS.

While at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Russell and Stowell oversaw construction of the Phelps Center and the Francia Russell Center, and renovation of McCaw Hall, venues which allowed for the expansion of PNB Company and School. Over 28 years, Stowell and Russell brought 168 ballets to the PNB repertoire, including ten full-length works, ninety world premieres by 68 choreographers, and ongoing choreography workshops.

Personal life Russell lives in Seattle with her husband, Kent Stowell, whom she met while both were working at New York City Ballet. They have three sons, including Christopher and Ethan Stowell.

Awards 1987: Women in Communications 2003: BRAVA Award 2003: Seattle University Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters 2010: University of Washington Honorary Doctorate of Arts