Artistic Director

Eric Otto

Eric Otto is an accomplished dancer, choreographer, and educator originally from Westchester, New York. He began his training at the age of seven at the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York City, laying the foundation for a distinguished career in dance.

Mr. Otto has performed with some of the most renowned dance institutions in the United States, including the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, and BalletX. He was an original cast member of Twyla Tharp's Come Fly Away and starred as James in both the Broadway and National Tour productions of Tharp's Movin' Out. His Broadway credits also include The Phantom of the Opera, and he has toured nationally with Twyla Tharp's company. 

Throughout his career, Mr. Otto has performed an expansive repertoire, including works by Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, John Cranko, Jiff Kylian, Kenneth MacMillan, and Jerome Robbins. He has had the distinction of performing roles created specifically for him by celebrated choreographers such as Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, and Matthew Neenan. 

In addition to his performance career, Mr. Otto is a dedicated educator and mentor. He has served as Artist in Residence in Classical Ballet at Skidmore College and as Rehearsal Director for BalletX. His teaching credits include faculty positions at Ballet Academy East and Peridance in New York City, and guest faculty appointments at The Rock School for Dance Education and the Joffrey Academy of Dance in Chicago. He is an ABT® Certified Teacher, having completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 6/7 and Partnering of the ABT National Training Curriculum. As a choreographer, Mr. Otto has been commissioned by institutions including Toledo Ballet, Toledo Symphony, Peoria Ballet, Albany Berkshire Ballet, SaratogaArtsFest, The Bruce Museum, Skidmore College, and Bucknell University. 

Currently, Eric Otto serves as the Artistic Director and Head of Curriculum for the Toledo Ballet, where he continues to shape the next generation of dancers through his artistic vision and commitment to excellence.