Stanley Williams

Stanley Williams (1925–1997) was a dancer and, later, a renowned ballet instructor.

Early days

Stanley Williams was born in England but grew up in Copenhagen, and was enrolled at the Royal Danish School of Ballet. His instruction was steeped in the Bournonville tradition, training with Harald Lander, although he also studied with Vera Volkova, a disciple of Agrippina Vaganova. In 1943, Williams joined the Royal Danish Ballet, becoming a principal dancer six years later, and by 1950 he had begun teaching at the Royal Danish School of Ballet in Copenhagen.

In the 1950s, Stanley Williams was performing as a principal dancer with George Krista's Ballet Comique in London, where he also stood as balletmaster.

By 1964, Williams's reputation had reached George Balanchine, who invited him to instruct at the School of American Ballet in New York City. and was the only person allowed to smoke in the Rose building, where SAB and NYCB are situated. He apparently accepted the job as a teacher on the condition that he be allowed to smoke in the building. The smell of his pipe, which often pervaded the SAB corridors, became associated with him and SAB. He often worked in class with pianists like Lynn STANFORD or Katerina BAPTIST. They played for him using triolet giving an impression of a soft circle music. Katerina BAPTIST released a CD of music for the class "in memory of Stanley Williams".

In 1992 he was awarded the Mae L. Wien Award of $10,000 by the School of American Ballet.

Notable students

Peter Martins Patrick Bissell Gelsey Kirkland Peter Boal Lawrence Leritz Fernando Bujones Edward Villella