LOUISE LESTER

Born in Yorkshire, England, Louise Lester received her ballet training at The Royal Ballet School in London .   In 1972 she joined the Bavarian State Ballet, in Munich, where she rose to the rank of principal. Throughout her career she has had numerous opportunities to work with world-renowned choreographers, including John Cranko,  John Neumeier, Glen Tetley, Jiri Kylian, William Forsythe  Ohad Naharian, Christopher Bruce, David Bintley. Sir Peter Wright, Hans van Manen, Rudi van Dantzig. After a career as a dancer she became Ballet Mistress for  the Bavarian State Ballet, where she remained until 1996. In 1996, she began working as guest teacher and coach with companies such as Teatro La Scala, The Royal Danish Ballet, Ballet du Rhine, Teatro Colon ,Buenos Aires, and Teatro Comunale Florence. From 1999-2003 she was the assistant to the director of Teatro Municipal Santiago de  Chile. Ms. Lester joined the Artistic Staff of Houston Ballet as Ballet Mistress in 2004  and received the title of Principal Ballet Mistress in 2013. She has assisted in the creation of many of Stanton Welch’s ballets. She has staged his version of “La Bayadere” for Joffrey Ballet in 2013 and “Maninyas “in 2015. “La Bayadere “for Australien Ballet in 2014 and “Sylvia” in 2019, “Tutu” for Atlanta Ballet and Leipzig Ballet. Ms. Lester has staged ballets for many major companies, including Peter Wright’s production of “The Sleeping Beauty; “ for Teatro Colon Argentina. John Neumeier’s  production of “The Nutcracker;” for Dresden ballet. Christopher Bruce’s “Hush” for Ballet Rambert. Since 2020 Ms. Lester is  a Guest Teacher and Coach.