| The
son of Francia Russell and Kent Stowell, artistic directors of Pacific
Northwest Ballet, Christopher Stowell was raised in Germany and America. He
received his formal training at Pacific Northwest Ballet School and
later at the School of American Ballet. Stowell’s graduating
performance from the School of American Ballet received critical acclaim
and attracted the attention of Helgi Tomasson, who had just been appointed
artistic director of the San Francisco Ballet (SFB). He joined SFB
in 1986. As a principal dancer for SFB, Stowell danced extensively
in Tomasson’s own works including roles such as Bluebird in
The Sleeping Beauty and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, in addition
to creating roles in Tomasson’s Con Brio, Meistens Mozart and
Handel-A Celebration. Stowell has had roles created for him by such
noted choreographers as Mark Morris, David Bintley, William Forsythe
and James Kudelka. In addition, he has performed the work of choreographers
such as Paul Taylor, Jiri Kylian, Jerome Robbins and Sir Frederick
Ashton. Stowell has also appeared as the lead male role in almost
every Balanchine ballet performed by SFB from 1986 until his retirement
in spring 2001, including Symphony in C, Agon, Rubies, Stars and Stripes and Tarantella. Stowell’s choreography credits include Titled,
Tchaikovsky Dances and Karelia Suite—three works he created for the
San Francisco Ballet Choreographic Workshop. Stowell’s first
work for San Francisco Ballet, Opus 50 premiered in March 2000 in
the Company’s “Discovery Program.” In November 1998,
Stowell created Estampie for Diablo Ballet and a year later, Sonata
#1, followed by La Captive in 2000. Stowell recently returned from
Tokyo where he was assistant director and choreographer for the Opera
Theatre of Saint Louis production of The Tale of Genji and choreographed
a new ballet, Hexodus, for the Pennsylvania Ballet. Christopher is
beginning his first season as the Artistic Director for Oregon Ballet
Theatre in Portland. |
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