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Anya Evans was born in New York
City and began her ballet training at the age
of four. When her first teacher, recognized her
talent, she encouraged Anya to pursue her studies
in New York City. At the age of 13, Anya studied
at the Ballet Russe School under Anatole Vilzak
and Madame Schollar, and a year later at The School
of American Ballet, studying primarily with Andre
Eglevsky, Stanley Williams and Pierre Vladimoroff,
and Felia Dubrovska.
At sixteen, Anya was offered
a scholarship to study under Dame Alicia Markova,
who was then Director of the Metropolitan Opera
Ballet Company, but declined this in favor of
becoming an apprentice with The New York City
Ballet, dancing, "Snowflake" and "Spanish"
in Balanchine's production of "The Nutcracker".
The following year, Anya became a member of American
Ballet Theatre and spent three years with the
company dancing throughout the United States as
well as a six week tour in the Soviet Union.
In 1967, Anya stepped out of
the corps de ballet to perform her first major
role, the "Pas de trois" in David Blair's
production of Swan Lake, opening night at Lincoln
Center for the Performing Arts. Following the
success of this performance, and with David Blair's
encouragement, Anya decided to go to London where
she joined London's Festival Ballet as a soloist.
After a year in London, she went to Montreal to
dance with Les Grandes Ballets Canadiens. During
this time, she danced major roles including "The
Nutcracker", "Raymonda", and Balanchine's
"Allegro Bril-liante".
In 1969, Anya realized her childhood
dream by becoming a member of The Royal Ballet,
and was honored to be the first dancer to be admitted
to the company without training at The Royal Ballet
School. She has received wide acclaim for her
performances throughout Great Brit-ain and on
the Continent in such roles as Kenneth MacMillan's
"Concerto" pas de deux, "Prelude"
in "Les Sylphides", Peter Wright's "Mirror
Walkers" pas de deux, the Girl in de Valois'
"Rake's Progress", and "Bluebird"
and "Aurora" in "Sleeping Beauty".
In December 1976 Anya danced the major role of
"Giselle" for the first time.
In the Winter of 1977, Anya
was temporarily on leave from The Royal Ballet,
performing in gala performances throughout the
British Isles with Margot Fonteyn, dancing "Swan
Lake" Act II pas de deux, "Nutcracker"
pas de deux and "Concerto" pas de deux.
Returning to the company in
the Summer of 1977, Anya continued to dance the
role of Giselle many times as well as new roles
including the "Girl" in MacMillan's
"Solitaire", a leading role in MacMillan's
"Elite Syncopations", the lead in Peter
Wright's ballet "Summertide", and the
pas de deux "Dead Leaves" in John Cranco's
ballet "Brouillards".
Anya's most notable qualities
are her lyricism and beautiful line.
In 1980, Anya left The Royal
Ballet to free-lance and embark on a teaching
career, working at all the major ballet schools
in London. In 1991, Anya joined the staff of English
National Ballet School, remaining there until
1997.
Returning once again in 2006
and 2007 as a guest teacher, Anya will now take
up a permanent position once again.
Anya is also a qualified Yoga
instructor, having completed a two year course
with Ruth White in Karuna Iyengar Yoga.
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