a male dancer wearing short extending his leg a la seconde with his arms going the opposite way

Meet Houston Ballet Soloist Eric Best

Watching Eric Best navigate the sensuous curves of Stanton Welch’s Tapestry, during Houston Ballet’s Jubilee of Dance this December, the dancer’s flow and exactitude merged into a seamless whole. His generous port de bras caressed the space, drawing out Welch’s nuanced choreographic lines. With his crisp technique, subtle swagger, and beguiling fluidity, Best catapulted from the corps de ballet to soloist at the opening of the season, and audiences cannot get enough of him.

a male dancer wearing jean shorts, a tank top, a heeled boots, dancing on a sidewalk

How First Soloist Harper Watters Creates Community at Houston Ballet

Naturally drawn to dance from a young age, Harper Watters also sought out a sense of community throughout his training. The only boy enrolled at his local studio in New Hampshire, Watters eventually enrolled at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, which brought him to a life-changing audition for Houston Ballet’s summer intensive at the age of 15.

A colorful collage of the 2024 25 to Watch, dancers from a breadth of dance styles.

Introducing Our 2024 “25 to Watch”

Electric performances, thought-provoking choreography, buzzy bodies of work—the artists on our annual list of dancers, choreographers, directors, and companies poised for a breakout share an uncanny knack for arresting attention. They’ve been turning heads while turning what’s expected—in a performance, from a career trajectory—on its head. We’re betting we’ll be seeing a lot more of them this year, and for many years to come.

female instructor standing over students in side plank with one arm up

Expert Tips for Boosting Your Stamina

No matter how many times you’ve rehearsed a dance in the studio, getting onstage can feel like the air has suddenly become thinner. Between the nerves and adrenaline likely boosting your heart rate and the size of the stage demanding you to travel further than you’re used to, it’s normal to find yourself huffing and puffing by the time the curtain closes.

female teacher wearing all black coaching a young dancer performing an arabesque in class

How to Conquer Quick, Complex Footwork

Dancers of nearly every genre need fleet feet for dazzling, pyrotechnic­ footwork. But complex, quick footwork tests almost all the technical skills that dancers strive for—balance, coordination, speed, strength—and can also be a mental game, requiring intense­ focus and the right combination of freedom and precision.