John Neumeier

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John Neumeier (February 24, 1942 - ) is a well-known American ballet dancer, choreographer, and director. He has been the director and chief choreographer of the Hamburg Ballet since 1973. 5 years later he founded the Hamburg Ballet School, which also includes a boarding school. In 1996 Neumeier has been made ballet director of the Hamburg Staatsoper.

Neumeier was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., where he received his first ballet training. He later studied in Copenhagen and at the Royal Ballet School in London. He danced with the Stuttgart Ballet from 1963 to 1969, and was a ballet teacher in Frankfurt from 1969 to 1973. He then became director and chief choreographer at the Hamburg Ballet. From 1971 through 1974 Neumeier was guest choreographer for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, providing repertoire, and setting on that company his highly original "Nutcracker".