Biography & Class Description & Testimonials

Richard Marsden made his onstage debut at the early age of six in the State Ballet of Rhode Island’s premiere of “Cinderella” at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in 1973. Richard acquired his early training under the tutelage of his parents at the Brae Crest School of Classical Ballet in Lincoln, RI. At the age of twelve, he was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York, where he continued his training for the next three summers. He attained a year-round full scholarship when he was fifteen years of age. Three years later, Peter Martins asked Richard to join the New York City Ballet, at which time he accepted.

As a member of the company, Richard was recognized by Peter Martins and Jerome Robbins as a great talent. He danced the repertory of George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and Peter Martins, and was met with a unanimous wave of adulation from the critics. He was described as “the striking Richard Marsden” (Clive Barnes, New York Post).  “In the air, which seems his element, his red hair turns him into a human spark” (George Jackson, Washington Post). During the 1988 Holiday Season, he made his debut as the Cavalier in Balanchine’s “Nutcracker”. He was also featured in Martin’s “Les Petits Riens”, “Les Gentilhommes”, “Black and White”, and as Blue Bird in “The Sleeping Beauty”. Additionally, Richard performed extensively in the repertory of Jerome Robbins, including “Fanfare”, “Glass Pieces”, “The Four Seasons”, “West Side Story Suite”, “Goldberg Variations”, “Ives Songs”, “I’m Old Fashioned”, “The Concert”, and “Bradenburg”.

In addition to Richard’s accomplishments with the New York City Ballet, he has also performed a vast repertory of classical, original and contemporary works to a wealth of critical acclaim. His talents have brought him to work with today’s top choreographers including: Val Caniparoli, Trey MacIntyre, Helgi Tomasson, Dwight Rhoden, Septime Weber, Greg Masters, and Christopher Stowell. He has also performed and guest starred with numerous companies throughout the world. He was a featured star during a two week tour to Russia, where Richard received standing ovations at every performance in the 6,000 seat Kremlin Palace Theater in Moscow. Most recently, Richard’s performances with the Sacramento Ballet garnered him his most outstanding praise to date “Ballet lovers who saw Richard Marsden’s scintillating performance of the Sacramento Ballet’s 'Hamlet, Hemliness and More' program now realize how lucky we are” (Patricia Beech Smith, Sacramento Bee).

In essence, Richard has made his ambition to supply the world with a universal understanding of the masculine figure in ballet. Ultimately, this ambition has taken him around the world and back. He looks forward to continuing performing and sharing his talents as a classical ballet teacher, choreographer and administrator.

Ballet

The art form of Classical Ballet, as the Imperial method of the Vestries. This art form requires humility and the simplicity of fluid movement. Ballet changes the body to create a lean line, a healthy body and mind, as well as strengthens the bone structure and musculature. The method presented by Richard Marsden includes the entire curriculum of Classical Ballet from basic movements through coordinating combinations that provide the dancer with a complete and comprehensive class, whether the dancer is just starting ballet or is at the height of their professional career. The movement principle provided within Richard’s class pushes you to brave and extend your ballet skills, while bringing out your innate ability to improve.

Testimonials

"I took the Beginner class with [Richard] last Thursday and it was really great.  He was very welcoming and positive. He seems really knowledgeable about dance."

~ Danielle Seidita, NDG patron

"[I] was so happy that you added Richard Mardsen's classes as he is a great teacher."

~ Sarahjeane Campbell