Molly Smolen
Molly Smolen is an American ballet dancer.Life and career
Molly Smolen was born in Philadelphia, and trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet under John White and Margarita de Saa. At 14, she joined American Ballet Theatre and, from 1997 to 1999, she performed as a guest artist with the Estonian National Ballet.
Molly joined Birmingham Royal Ballet as a Soloist in 1999 and was promoted to Principal in 2002. Her performance of Five Brahms Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan brought her critical acclaim in many countries. She has shone in roles as diverse as the Siren in Prodigal Son and Maggie in Hobson's Choice. She is also a sparkling classical dancer, dancing most of the leading classical roles with the Estonian Ballet before she was 21.
Molly joined San Francisco Ballet as a Principal in 2006-2008.
Repertory: with Estonian National Ballet: principal roles in Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake;
Repertory with BRB: works by Frederick Ashton ; George Balanchine ; David Bintley ; John Cranko ; Kenneth MacMillan ; Vaslav Nijinski, and Myrtha, Giselle, Sugar Plum Fairy, Swanhilda, Odette /Odile, Aurora, Stanton Welch and Twyla Tharp In the Upper Room;
Repertory with SFB: works by Helgi Tomasson Clara, Kitri, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, On Common Ground ;Val Caniparoli Nora; George Balanchine Third Movement Molly Smolen retired in 2008Awards
She won Bronze medal and the Prix de Nina Ricci, for Artistic Excellence at the Varna International Ballet Competition; bronze medal at the Osaka International Ballet Competition, 1995; Critics' Circle nomination for Newcomer of the Year.
