about francis

Francis was born in Melbourne, Australia and originally studied under Lorraine Blackbourn. From there he was accepted into the Australian Ballet School where he graduated with a diploma in dance. Whilst studying at the school he toured with the Australian Ballet Dancers Company tour for two years and also danced recently with The Australian Ballet Company in John Neumeier (Nijinsky) & Peggy Van Praagh (Coppelia). Upon arriving in the states Francis joined New York Theatre Ballet for their 30th Anniversary season. Shortly after, he went on to join The Grand Rapids Ballet Company in Michigan for three seasons, under the direction of Patricia Barker. Whilst there, he danced repertoire by George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Jose Limon, Paul Taylor, Ulysses Dove, Lew Christensen, Olivier Weavers and Mario Radacovsky.

Francis danced for five seasons with The Dance Theatre of Harlem under the direction of Virginia Johnson. He has performed works by choreographers such as George Balanchine (Agon, Glinka & Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux), Nacho Duato (Coming Together), Alvin Ailey (Lark Ascending), Ulysses Dove (Dancing On The Front Porch of Heaven), Frederick Franklin (Raymonda), Marius Petipa (Black Swan Pas De Deux), Robert Garland (Return, Gloria & New Bach), Donald Byrd (Contested Space), Darrel Grand Moultrie (Vessels) and Glen Tetley (Dialogues). Most recently Francis is performing in the North American tour of An American In Paris, choreographed and directed by Christopher Wheeldon. Francis is based in New York and is also an active choreographer and guest teacher around the world.