Born and educated in England, David Howard received his early training from the Cone-Ripman School, now the Arts Educational School in London. Upon completion of the RAD syllabus, at the age of 17, he was awarded the Adeline Genee Medal, the highest honor a British dance student can receive. David Howard’s career began as a child performer in radio shows, films and commercials. Working as a principal dancer at London’s Palladium Theatre he was honored by appearing in a Royal Command Performance before Queen Elizabeth II. He later joined Sadler’s Wells Theatre Ballet, now The Royal Ballet and was promoted to soloist status. Mr. Howard danced with the National Ballet of Canada, appeared in London’s West End in musicals, among them Bob Fosse’s Little Me, performed in cabaret throughout Europe and was featured in many television productions.

After a successful performing career, Mr. Howard came to New York at the invitation of Rebakah Harkness in 1966 to teach and later direct the Harkness Ballet School. With the Harkness Ballet Company, he held the positions of principal teacher and ballet master. David Howard has been a mainstay in the professional training of many notable dancers. Makarova, Baryshnikov, Peter Martins, Cynthia Harvey, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet and numerous other companies throughout the world have all made David the most sought after teacher. Gelsey Kirkland speaks for many with her words of praise: “I am forever indebted to David Howard for his enlightened teaching for over twenty years. He imparts his love of dance by inviting you to take a journey with him…you only have to want to go.”

In 1977, David opened his own school in New York City although today he currently teaches classes at Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center and coaches Angel Corella, Michele Wiles, Veronika Part and many of the next generation of ABT Stars. In addition, he teaches class, twice a week, at the New School University, Eugene Lang College. In 2000, he was Artistic Director of the First World Congress of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in Mexico.

Mr. Howard still keeps his international ties teaching twice a year for The Royal Ballet in London working with the likes of Sylvie Guillem and Tamara Rojo (“If I ever become a ballet teacher, I hope I am as important to my students as David Howard is to me”). In addition, he works with companies in Denmark, Sweden, Holland, and Germany. He has worked with theatre, television and motion picture stars, most recently Mary Tyler Moore and John Lithgow.

The David Howard Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) was established to help young dancers and choreographers; create a dance library, with historical and technical books, videos, DVDs and dance music CDs; and sponsor research work connected with dancers’ diet, dance-related injuries and kinesiology. The David Howard Foundation, Inc. presents teachers’ training workshops around the world and A Month of Sundays for serious teen age students each January in New York City.

In addition to being the 2007 Education Spokesperson for National Dance Week, David Howard is also the recipient of a Dance Masters of America Award and received a Doctor of Performing Arts Honorary Degree from Oklahoma City University. He served as President of the National Association of Regional Ballet in America and is prominent on the board of many dance-affiliated companies and dance publications. David Howard has been profiled in People Magazine and Dance Teacher and has made 110 CDs and numerous videos of classical instruction which are distributed by Roper Records, Jay Distributors and Danceables. His new DVD Turns, Leaps, and Bounds is distributed by Riz-Biz.

David Howard is also listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World and The Art of Teaching Ballet…Ten Twentieth Century Masters where in the words of its author, Gretchen Warren, “David Howard’s wizardry is something dancers feel in their bones. For years they have flocked to him in large numbers and today he is the best know, most popular ballet teacher working in America.”

For additional information on David Howard:
http://www.danceart.com/NYDanceScene/howard.htm
http://www.stepsnyc.com/faculty/howard/
http://www.collagevideo.com/in-stock-videos/4934.htm
http://www.danceclassmusic.com/9535.html
http://members.aol.com/dancearea/dhsw/davidhoward.htm