Born in Copenhagen, Nilas Martins began his training at the Royal Danish Ballet School and performed with the Royal Danish Ballet while still a student. In 1984, he moved to New York to continue his studies at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet.

 

Martins joined New York City Ballet in 1986, was promoted to Soloist in 1991, and became a Principal Dancer in 1993. During his distinguished career with the company, he performed a wide range of featured roles and worked with acclaimed choreographers including Jerome Robbins, William Forsythe, Boris Eifman, Susan Stroman, Trey McIntyre, Kevin O’Day, and Peter Martins.

 

His performance credits also include *The Nutcracker* (1993, Warner Bros.), Live from Lincoln Center’s *Ray Charles in Concert*, and the Dance in America broadcast *Dinner with Balanchine*, in which he danced Apollo opposite Paris Opera étoile Isabelle Guérin. He also appeared in *Lincoln Center Celebrates Balanchine 100*, performing “The Man I Love” from *Who Cares?* in a program featuring Wynton Marsalis.

 

Since 1996, Martins has served as a répétiteur for the George Balanchine Trust, staging and coaching Balanchine’s works for professional companies and schools in the United States and internationally. His teaching experience includes New York City Ballet, the School of American Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Miami City Ballet School, The Washington Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School, National Ballet of China, NBA Ballet in Japan, Novosibirsk Ballet in Russia, Harvard University, Princeton University, Indiana University, Goucher College, Baltimore School for the Arts, BalletMet, and other respected institutions.

 

Martins was selected as one of ten fellows to study with Michael Kaiser at the DeVos Institute of Arts Management in 2010–2011. He joined State Street Ballet’s faculty in 2018 and was named Artistic Associate in 2024. He is also recognized by Youth America Grand Prix as a master teacher and judge.

 

Ballet Academy & Movement is honored to welcome Nilas Martins as a guest master teacher.