Biography

Photo by SPLITS59

Boylston is ABT’s shining star. Her performance in the dual role of Odette-Odile was as dramatic as it was exhilarating. She augments her dancing prowess with her natural magnetism and stage charisma – a natural fit for the role of the Swan Queen.

—The Ballet Herald

Ms. Boylston’s musicality and phrasing are exquisite. The sparkle of her footwork, traveling across the floor, and the glistening flourishes of her raised feet are thrilling.

—The New York Times

“To really have your expression manifest itself in your movement—that’s the goal”

Photo by YOON6PHOTO

Isabella kid
Isabella's childhood

Isabella’s Childhood

1986-

Isabella was born and raised in Sun Valley, Idaho. With her outdoorsy family, she enjoyed frequent road-trips to the mountains and she had an unconventional, free-spirited upbringing. Isabella began dancing at the age of three before her family moved to Boulder, Colorado, where she started training at the Boulder Ballet. From age 12, Isabella attended the Colorado Ballet Academy, where her ballet journey took a more serious turn.

"No one in my family knew anything about ballet or thought I would become a dancer."

Isabella NY starting her career
Career beginnings in NY, Photo by Rosalie O'Connor

Falling In Love With Ballet

2001-

At the age of 13, while training at the Colorado Ballet Academy, Isabella won a gold medal at the 2001 Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York. In 2002, she received a scholarship to train at the HARID Conservatory, a ballet-focused boarding high school in Boca Raton, Florida. At 17, a scout from the American Ballet Theatre invited her to join the company—renowned as one of the greatest in the world. She completed her degree remotely while beginning her career in New York.

“It was intimidating, but inspiring. Suddenly, I was taking class and sharing the stage with my idols: Paloma Herrera, Alessandra Ferri, and Diana Vishneva.”

Isabella solo
Flower Girls, Don Quixote

Early Career

2005-

In 2005, Isabella embarked on her professional journey, joining the ABT Studio Company, the junior company of ABT. Progressing swiftly, she became an apprentice with the main company in 2006, and, by 2007, she had earned her place within the corps de ballet. The transition from the boarding school environment to living in an unfamiliar city was daunting. Regardless, as a member of the corps de ballet, she performed tirelessly, often in eight shows a week. This period contributed profoundly to her development as a dancer.

"I've always been a dreamer and a goal setter, and I never felt like I wanted to have to fit into a box or feel constrained by people's ideas of what I should be or how I should act."

swanlake with abt
Odette, Swan Lake, Photo by Andrea Mohin

Climbing The Career Ladder

2011-

As Isabella took on some of ballet’s most challenging roles, her dedication resulted in her promotion to soloist in 2011, and ultimately, to principal in 2014. Her repertoire includes Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, the title role in Giselle, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Nikiya and Gamzatti in La Bayadère, Kitri in Don Quixote, Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, the title role in Alexei Ratmansky’s Firebird, Theme and Variations, and the list goes on. Isabella’s performances have consistently earned her critical praise from prominent publications. 

“Performing Don Quixote on Christmas Eve in Paris—it was just so exciting and magical, and also terrifying.”

Isabella in Paris
Rehearsal of Don Quixote with Mathieu Ganio and Ballet Opera de Paris, Photo by Audric Bezard

Guesting Worldwide

2014-

As a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre since 2014, Isabella has also appeared as a guest with world-renowned companies, such as the Mariinsky Ballet in St Petersburg, Russia, Rome Opera Ballet, the Royal Danish Ballet, the National Ballet of China and the Ballet Estable del Teatro Colón. More recently, Isabella checked another goal off her list when she performed Kitri in Don Quixote as a guest artist with the Paris Opera Ballet.

“I’m at a place in my career where I can expend a little more creative energy on outside projects.”

06 off stage
Photo by Selkie ™

Off Stage

2017-

Isabella’s unique personal style seamlessly blends ballet-inspired aesthetics with contemporary fashion, showcased in her designer attire at events, premieres, and fashion shows. Her influence extends beyond ballet, as she leverages social media to collaborate with luxury brands like Dior and Bvlgari, bridging the worlds of dance and fashion. Featured in major fashion publications and known for her distinctive style, Isabella blends the elegance of ballet with contemporary fashion, making her a muse for designers, including her friend Sandy Liang, whose viral Mary Jane shoe was inspired by Isabella’s pointe shoe. Beyond fashion, she has crossed into pop culture, starring in music videos for artists like Laufey, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Rozzi, and serving as Jennifer Lawrence’s dance double in Red Sparrow. In December 2021, she was invited to perform at the White House. From 2017 to 2018, she was the Artistic Director of Ballet Sun Valley, bringing ballet performances and free dance classes to her hometown. Additionally, She has founded Ballerina Book Club, where she curates monthly book selections and interview series with various writers.

References

ABT – Isabella Boylston

Interviews