Australia Dancing - Fernandez, Royes (1929

Fernandez, Royes (1929 - 1980)

Stringer, Walter: Royes Fernandez (centre) with Leon Kellaway, Borovansky Ballet, c. 1955

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Royes Fernandez studied ballroom dancing with his father and ballet with Lelia Haller in New Orleans and, later, with Vincenzo Celli in New York. He made his debut as a dancer with de Basil's Original Ballet Russe in 1946 and performed with a range of New York based companies during the first years of his professional life.

Fernandez came to Australia as a principal dancer for the Borovansky Ballet in 1954. In Australia he partnered the company's leading ballerinas, including Kathleen Gorham and Peggy Sager, and appeared as the Prince in the world premiere of David Lichine's Nutcracker, staged for the Borovansky company in 1955. Fernandez returned to Australia in 1964 during the Australian Ballet's Fonteyn-Nureyev season. During this season he partnered another guest, Lupe Serrano, in the pas de deux from Don Quixote, appeared with Serrano on television, and also danced with Kathleen Gorham in Aurora's Wedding.

Fernandez toured and guested for much of his career but was also a long standing principal at American Ballet Theatre until he retired from dancing in 1973. After his retirement he taught ballet at Purchase, State University of New York.

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Articles - New York Public Library Dance Collection
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