John Hart

Francis John Hart CBE (4 July 1921 – 8 February 2015), was an English ballet dancer, choreographer and artistic director of Ballet West from 1986 to 1997.

Early life Francis John Hart was born in London on 4 July 1921, the son of Frank L. Hart and Ivy Hart. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dancing with Judith Espinosa. In 1938, he joined the Vic-Wells Ballet, dancing lead roles by the age of 21. He returned as a principal dancer, creating roles in Frederick Ashton's Sylvia (1952) and Homage to the Queen (1953). In 1955, Hart was appointed ballet master, and was assistant director of the Royal Ballet from 1962 to 1970. His last major position was as artistic director of Salt Lake City’s Ballet West from 1986 to 1997.

Personal life Hart married Ann Howard, a former coryphée of the Royal Ballet. He enjoyed fine art, collected stamps, and had a "fondness for epicurean delights". He died in Salt Lake City on 8 February 2015.