Bruce Marks is an American dancer, performing both in ballet and modern dance. He continues to work as a choreographer, coach and teacher and is a tireless advocate for the art form. Early years Bruce Marks, born in New York City, began his training at age 13 at the New York High School of Performing Arts, and at 14, created the role of the young boy in Pearl Lang’s Ironic Rite. (Later Rites ) Through his teen years, he performed with Pearl Lang's company, creating roles in Lang's , And Joy Is My Witness, Nightflight, Apasionado, Black Marigolds, and Shira. Marks continued his studies at Brandeis University(1954–1955) and The Juilliard School(1955–1956), where he studied with Margaret Craske, Alfredo Corvino, Mattlyn Gavers, and Antony Tudor—who became his mentor. The Metropolitan Opera At Tudor's suggestion in 1956, Marks joined the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. He was soon singled out for principal roles. After appearing in a ballet evening in 1959 at The Met dancing Adam in choreographer John Butler's In The Beginning, Marks was invited to appear at the Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds as a member of a company organized by Herbert Ross and John Butler. Metropolitan Opera, Marks danced principal roles in: Aida Alcestis Carmen La Giaconda The Gypsy Baron Lucia de Lammermoor —AND-- Rigoletto La Forza del Destino Les contes d'Hoffmann La Traviata Eugene Onegin Faust Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg Orfeo ed Euridice Samson et Dalila Tannhauser American Ballet Theatre In 1961, again at the suggestion of Tudor, Marks joined The American Ballet Theatre. He soon became one of the most respected and versatile of ABT's male contingent, excelling in both modern and classical ballets, and was quickly promoted to principal dancer. He created one of the leading roles in the American premiere of Harald Lander’s Etudes as well as the leading role of Prince Siegfried in ABT's first full-length production of Swan Lake. In 1968 Marks performed the role of Hilarion in the American Ballet Theatre's film of Giselle. Roles performed by Marks at American Ballet Theatre: Theme and Variations Grand Pas Glazanov Billy the Kid Pillar of Fire Dark Elegies Gala Performance Romeo and Juliet Etudes Miss Julie Moon Reindeer Sargasso Gaité Parisienne Aleko A Rose for Miss Emily Tally Ho Concerto Swan Lake The Sleeping Beauty At Midnight Balladen Der Liebe Helen of Troy Coppelia Electra Jardin Aux Lilas The Moor's Pavane Petrouchka Ricecare The Taming of