Helen Pickett

Helen Pickett
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Name	Helen Pickett
Occupation	Choreographer, Dance Educator, Ballet Dancer
Years active	1990s–present
Known for	Contemporary choreography, Ballet pedagogy

Helen Pickett is a contemporary choreographer and ballet pedagogue noted for integrating classical ballet technique with contemporary idioms across companies, conservatories, and festivals. She has created works for international ballet companies, contemporary ensembles, and academic institutions, collaborating with principal dancers, artistic directors, and composers in North America, Europe, and Asia. Her career spans performance, choreography, and teaching, intersecting with leading figures and institutions in the dance world.

Early life and education

Pickett trained in classical ballet and contemporary technique in her youth, studying in institutions associated with the lineage of dancers and teachers connected to schools such as the Royal Ballet and the School of American Ballet. Her early mentors included teachers trained in methodologies linked to Enrico Cecchetti, Vaganova method, and the pedagogy of George Balanchine. She attended conservatory programs that connected her to performance opportunities at venues like the Lincoln Center, the Royal Opera House, and festivals such as the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. Her formation also brought her into contact with choreographers and directors from companies including New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre.

Dance career

As a performer, Pickett danced with companies that bridged classical and contemporary repertoires, collaborating with choreographers associated with Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Alvin Ailey, William Forsythe, and Jirí Kylián. She appeared on stages alongside principal dancers from The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Het Nationale Ballet, and Staatsballett Berlin. Her repertoire included roles in works by creators from institutions such as the Royal Opera House, Paris Opera Ballet, Bolshoi Theatre, and contemporary ensembles linked to the Nederlands Dans Theater and Batsheva Dance Company. Tours and seasons brought her to festivals and venues including Edinburgh International Festival, Sadler's Wells Theatre, Teatro alla Scala, and the Festival d'Avignon.

Choreographic work

Pickett's choreography has been commissioned by companies and institutions including municipal companies, national ballet troupes, and conservatories tied to the traditions of John Neumeier, Christopher Wheeldon, and Jerome Robbins. Her works have premiered in seasons curated by artistic directors of the San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, and European houses such as Hofesh Shechter Company presenters and contemporary festivals like ImPulsTanz. She has collaborated with composers affiliated with the Royal College of Music, lighting designers linked to the National Theatre, and costume designers who have worked for the Victoria and Albert Museum exhibitions and opera stages including the Metropolitan Opera House and the Opera Garnier. Her choreographic language reflects influences from repertory traditions present at institutions like the School of American Ballet, Princeton University, Yale School of Music, and conservatories such as the Juilliard School.

Teaching and mentorship

As an educator, Pickett has taught and mentored students at conservatories and universities connected to the lineage of Martha Graham School, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Royal Conservatory of Music, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. She has led workshops and masterclasses at companies and schools including Boston Conservatory, Boston University, University of California, Irvine, Carnegie Mellon University, and summer programs associated with ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and Alonzo King LINES Ballet. Her mentorship has reached trainees destined for companies such as English National Ballet, Australian Ballet, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, and regional companies presented at venues like Kennedy Center and Dane County festivals. She has served on panels and juries for competitions and prizes administered by organizations like Prix de Lausanne, Youth America Grand Prix, and foundations linked to the Paul Taylor Dance Company.

Awards and recognition

Pickett's work has been recognized by grants, fellowships, and commissions from arts councils and foundations allied with institutions such as the National Endowment for the Arts, Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Council England, and European funding bodies connected to the European Commission culture programs. She has received fellowships and project support affiliated with entities like the New York Foundation for the Arts, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and prizes associated with festivals such as Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and Choreography Trusts that support emerging and mid-career creators. Her pieces have been reviewed in journals and newspapers that cover seasons at venues such as The New York Times, The Guardian, Le Monde, and dance magazines tied to the Dance Critics Association.

Category:Choreographers Category:Ballet teachers