Patricia Neary

Patricia Neary was born in Miami, Florida and also received her dance training there, after which she joined the National Ballet of Canada. A year later, in 1960, she transferred to the prestigious New York City Ballet, where she was promoted to soloist in 1962. She danced numerous important roles in the works of artistic leader George Balanchine, including several roles the choreographer created especially for her. In addition, he soon involved her in rehearsing his work with ballet companies around the world.

From 1971 to 1973, Neary was ballet master of the ballet company of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, after which she assumed the artistic direction of the Grand Théâtre de Genève. From 1978 to 1985, she was artistic director of the Zürcher Ballett (now Ballett Zürich).

After a brief interlude as ballet director of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan from 1986 to 1987, Neary has been working for The George Balanchine Trust for more than 20 years. She has studied works by Balanchine in more than 30 countries.