DANCER HIGHLIGHT: CLAIRE WILSON
Corps Artist Claire Wilson in The Nutcracker | By Beau Pearson
Claire Wilson, Corps Artist, began her ballet journey at age of three. From the moment she started dancing, wearing tutus, and staging choreographic showcases in her family’s living room, she knew ballet was her calling. As she grew, her commitment and enthusiasm led her to participate in various Summer Intensive programs, fueling her passion and ambition.
At 15, Wilson took a bold step. She sat down with her parents and explained why she needed to move to New York City to train full-time. Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Wilson shared, "I knew what I wanted to do at that age. Having moved 12 times for my father’s career, I never had a stable ballet school. To train in New York was a perfect avenue to steer me towards a professional career, going all in on my goal."
Her determination and well-prepared presentation convinced her parents, and Wilson embarked on full-time ballet training. After graduating from Ellison Ballet in New York City, she joined Colorado Ballet II in 2016. Despite the opportunity with Colorado Ballet, after visiting Salt Lake City and attending a triple-bill performance, she knew Ballet West was her destiny.
Wilson’s ambition led her to take an audition class at Ballet West. Contrary to common practice, Wilson introduced herself to Artistic Director Adam Sklute and said, "I want to dance for you, with Ballet West." Drawn by the company's repertoire and the dancers' exceptional skills, Wilson was determined to join their ranks. "They were incredible, and I wanted to be part of it. It wasn’t just a dream; I knew I had to be on stage with this company," she said.
Although there were no openings initially, Wilson joined the Ballet West Academy Trainee program in 2017. Her dedication paid off as she was promoted to Ballet West II in 2019 and then to the main Company in 2021. "Being part of the Trainee program was a great environment to refine my technique and prepare for a professional career, setting me up for success," Wilson remarked.
This season, Wilson experienced some of her career highlights, including performing the principal role of Snow Queen in The Nutcracker. "It’s exciting to take on these ionic roles as I grow as an artist," she said. "I’m grateful for this journey, pushing into new artistic opportunities. There’s always something to learn, so every day is exciting. Adam never lets us be bored here at Ballet West, which I love."
Outside of ballet, Wilson enjoys spending time with her husband and stepdaughter gardening, camping, traveling, cooking, and raising their five chickens. Wilson also teaches classes to children, hoping to inspire the next generation of dancers and share the transformative power of ballet.