Peter Hershey

Artistic Director
Peter received his early training at the Seiskaya Ballet Academy in St. James, New York.  He went on to attend both the School of American Ballet and The Juilliard School, as well as studying under New York-based teachers Francis Patrelle and Johan Renvall.

As a member of Ballet San Jose, Peter was best known for dancing the role of Johnny in Dennis Nahat's Blue Suede Shoes.  His repertoire also included principal roles in The Nutcracker and Rodeo, as well as roles in works by choreographers such as George Balanchine, Merce Cunningham, Jessica Lang, Donald McKayle, Dennis Nahat, Twyla Tharp, and Stanton Welch.  Peter also danced for Company C Contemporary Ballet and Menlowe Ballet, where he was featured in works by Charles Anderson, Val Caniparoli, Maurice Causey, Gregory Dawson, Susan Jaffe, Michael Lowe, Charles Moulton, and Yuri Zhukov.

Peter has been teaching ballet in the Bay Area for over twenty years, and brings a passion for dance to his role as Ballet Director.  He has taught for various schools and companies including Ballet San Jose School, Company C, Menlo Park Academy of Dance, Santa Clara Ballet, and Western Ballet, and is on the faculty of the Summer Dance Lab at Whitman College.  As a teacher, Peter is regarded for his attention to speed and movement dynamics, as well as his unique musical sensibility.