David Howard's biography

David Howard, "Teacher of Stars," trained at the Cone Ripman (now Arts Educational) School and the Royal Academy of Dancing, winning the prestigious Adeline Genee Award at 16. Mr. Howard was a soloist with the Royal Ballet for 7 years before joining the National Ballet of Canada President of the national Association for Regional Ballet from 1976-1979. He guest taught for Royal Ballet, ABT, Joffrey Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and National Ballet of Canada.

After a successful performing career and at the invitation of Rebekah Harkness, Mr. Howard came to New York in 1966 to teach and later direct the Harkness Ballet School. In 1977 he opened his own school on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, adjacent to Lincoln Center. On any given day, scattered among the serious ballet students who found their way to David’s barré, one could plie, tendu and pirouette next to the most elite in the field. Makarova, Baryshnikov, Gelsey Kirkland, Cynthia Harvey, members of England’s Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet and numerous other companies throughout the world have made David the most sought after teacher. Since closing his school in 1995, he has traveled the world giving master classes to ballet companies, their affiliated schools, independent schools universities and regional festivals. He has coached many successful competition winners and given private lessons to television and motion picture stars.

Mr Howard is well-known for his work with international ballet competitions, adjudicating the 1979 Jackson competitor and coaching Gold medal winners, Katherine Healy (Varna 1983) and Jennifer Gelfard (Jackson 1986). The David Howard Dance Center was founded in NYC 1986. Committed to teacher education, Mr. Howard has created several instructional recording and videos.

David's unique methodology is founded in scientific approach to movement involving kinetics and anatomical principles. His teaching techniques are as revealing and applicable to the teaching of emerging young dancers and adult beginners as to established professionals. David Howard approaches the acquisition of ballet through dynamics of movement, musicality, and energy patterns. His kinesthetic approach eliminates much of the tension and resulting injury associated with technique as it is traditionally taught.

More articles about David Howard

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David Howard with his cousin Gillian Harrup Drapper, circa 1940.

David Howard’s career began as a child performer in radio shows and commercials. Working as a principal dancer at London’s Palladium Theatre he was honored by appearing in a Royal Command Performance before Queen Elizabeth II. He later joined Sadler’s Wells Theatre Ballet, now The Royal Ballet and was promoted to soloist status. Mr. Howard danced with the National Ballet of Canada, appeared in London’s West End musicals, among them Bob Fosse’s Little Me, performed in cabaret throughout Europe and was featured in many television productions.

Order #	Title	Pianist	Teacher	Format
2056	Millennium Capital of the World	Tim Grundmann	David Howard	CD & DVD
2161	Look to the Rainbow	Whit Kellogg	David Howard	CD & DVD
2368	World Tour	Steven Mitchell	David Howard	CD & DVD
2471	Celebration	Tim Grundmann	David Howard	CD & DVD
2574	A Dancer's Class	Dmitry Polischuk	David Howard	CD & DVD
8201	Music for Ballet Class	Lynn Stanford	David Howard	CD
8403	In Private	Lynn Stanford	David Howard	CD
8711	In the Spirit of Dance	Douglas Corbin	David Howard	CD
8914	Another Great Class	Lynn Stanford	David Howard	CD & DVD
9018	Popular Songs	Lynn Stanford	David Howard	CD & DVD
9224	Classics for Kids	Mark Jelks	David Howard	CD & DVD
9225	25th Anniversary	Douglas Corbin	David Howard	CD & DVD
9326	Class at 6:15	Lynn Stanford	David Howard	CD & DVD
9429	Favorites	Douglas Corbin	David Howard	CD & DVD
9535	Music for Ballet Class	Douglas Corbin	David Howard	CD
9639	Ballet of Today	Steven Mitchell	David Howard	CD & DVD
9640	Ballet & Opera Classics for Kids	Adam Pernell	David Howard	CD & DVD
9744	From the Americas	Steven Mitchell	David Howard	CD & DVD
9748	Master Class	Lynn Stanford	David Howard	CD & DVD
9849	The Harkness Years	John Childs	David Howard	CD & DVD
9951	Hits from the Stage & Screen	Steven Mitchell	David Howard	CD & DVD
9952	Classics and More	Steven Mitchell	David Howard	CD & DVD
BR57D	Turns, Leaps and Bounds	Steven Mitchell	David Howard	DVD
PB01D	Master Class A Vol. 1		David Howard	DVD
PB02D	Master Class B Vol. 2		David Howard	DVD
SM02C	A Covent Garden Class Vol. 1	Steven Mitchell	David Howard	CD
SM07C	Return to Covent Garden	Steven Mitchell	David Howard	CD