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Trinidad Vives

Trinidad Vives, a native of Madrid, Spain, received her early dance training with Carmina Ocaña, Luis Fuente, and Víctor Ullate before continuing her studies in Paris. She graduated from the École Supérieure de Danse de Cannes Rosella Hightower and was awarded a First Prize medal and scholarship at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne. 

Ms. Vives began her professional career with Hamburg Ballet, where she rose to the rank of First Soloist. She later performed as a Principal Dancer with Basel Ballet, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, and English National Ballet, dancing leading roles throughout the classical repertoire while creating and performing works by many of the twentieth century’s most acclaimed choreographers. 

Following her performing career, Ms. Vives earned her teaching diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Dance in Madrid and embarked on an accomplished career in artistic leadership. At Houston Ballet, she progressed to the role of Co-Artistic Director. She subsequently served for seven seasons as Artistic Associate of Boston Ballet, where she staged productions, taught company class, coached dancers, and supervised the artistic staff. 

Ms. Vives has also served as Rehearsal Director for Compañía Nacional de Danza in Madrid. Internationally recognized as a respected teacher, coach, and répétiteur, she has staged numerous full-length classical ballets and contemporary works and has been invited to teach and coach artists at many of the world’s leading companies, including American Ballet Theatre, the National Ballet of Canada, Bayerische Staatsballett, and Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. She has also served on the juries of the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson and the World Ballet Competition in Orlando. 

In 2023, Ms. Vives was appointed Interim Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet before assuming the role of School Director of The Washington School of Ballet. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her artistic excellence, commitment to classical tradition, and dedication to developing the next generation of dancers. 

Parren Ballard

Parren Ballard is a graduate of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, where he trained with Dame Sonia Arova and Thor Sutowski. He began his professional career at the age of seventeen with Cincinnati Ballet before embarking on an international performing career spanning more than twenty years. As a soloist, he performed leading roles with Basel Ballet, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, English National Ballet, and Houston Ballet.

Following his performing career, Mr. Ballard devoted himself to the training and development of young dancers. As a faculty member of Boston Ballet School, he taught numerous students who went on to join distinguished companies, including Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, English National Ballet, Houston Ballet, the National Ballet of Canada, the Royal Swedish Ballet, Zurich Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Ballet West, Orlando Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, and Kansas City Ballet.

Mr. Ballard has also served as a guest teacher for Atlanta Ballet, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet. As a private coach, he has prepared prize winners for the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland, the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, the World Ballet Competition in Orlando, and the International Dance Festival in Berlin.

He later served as Rehearsal Director with Compañía Nacional de Danza in Madrid, Spain, where he taught company class and coached the principal dancers. Most recently, he taught in the Trainee Program at The Washington School of Ballet.

Mr. Ballard is pleased to join Ballet Rhode Island as Artistic Faculty, where he looks forward to sharing the breadth of his professional performance and teaching experience while helping to prepare the next generation of artists.