Voice of Dance

Principal Dancer Nicolas Blanc Leaves San Francisco Ballet

Nicolas Blanc in Elo's Double Evil. Photo by Erik Tomasson.

San Francisco Ballet principal Nicolas Blanc asked to be released from his contract for the 2010 season. In a statement issued by SFB, Blanc stated, “It’s time for me to move to a new chapter in my life and to pass on what I’ve learned and experienced in my career as an artist. My six years with SF Ballet have been instrumental in my growth, not only as a dancer, but as a person; I’ve learned so much and am very grateful for this time with the company and to the loyal audience that has followed me in San Francisco.”

Blanc, a native of France, danced with Zurich Ballet before joining San Francisco Ballet in 2003 as a soloist. He was quickly promoted to principal by the end of his first season and began to show a burgeoning interest in choreography by creating two ballets for the San Francisco Ballet School. In a 2004 interview, he was asked if there was anything he wanted people to know about him and he responded, “I would just like to say that being promoted to principal is an incredible recognition of many hours of work, sweat, doubt, and also times of happiness. But the title itself does not mean much if I take it easy and think that everything is done. Just because I'm principal this is not the end; this is actually the beginning of developing my career and my art.”