Eddy Bray
MSAD Artistic Director
Eddy Bray is a distinguished professional in the field of dance, holding roles as a Professional Dancer, Choreographer, Master Ballet Teacher, and Artistic Director. His career in the world of ballet began under a full scholarship, where he studied Russian Ballet at the William Reilly Academy of Ballet in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the guidance of his father figure and mentor, Peter William Reilly, a former Principal Dancer with the Netherlands Ballet and Ballet Master for Jerome Robbins Ballet U.S.A. Continuing his ballet education, Mr. Bray received another scholarship to study at the Ruth Page Foundation for the Arts in Chicago, Illinois, under the direction of Larry and Dolores Long. During his time in Chicago, he had the rare privilege of being further mentored by Madame Elizabeth Boitsov, Vaganova Ballet Mistress, and former School Director of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, Russia, who is also the Owner/Artistic Director of Boitsov Classical Ballet Company.
Eddy Bray’s international training took him to France, where he honed his skills at the Ballet of the 21st Century, led by the renowned French Director and Choreographer Maurice Béjart. He continued his extensive training in London and Paris at the London Contemporary Dance Theater and the Hamburg Ballet, guided by Robert Coham and John Neumeier.
Throughout his career, Mr. Bray performed with numerous ballet companies, serving as a 1st. & 2nd. soloist, principal ballet dancer, and guest artist across the United States, Canada, and Europe, including notable performances in London, Paris, Germany, and Canada.
As a choreographer, Mr. Bray has produced, staged, and choreographed a wide range of classical and original works, including renowned classics such as “Don Quixote,” “Piquita,” “La Bayadere,” “Swan Lake,” “Cinderella,” and “The Nutcracker.” His original works include “Ballet Homeless,” “Tow the Line,” “Escape the Shadows,” “The Rock Opera,” and “Le Rive de Charlie,” among others. In 2016, Mr. Bray was commissioned by the Oconomowoc Arts Center to produce and choreograph “Dracula ReImagined” for their 10th-anniversary celebration. Both “The Nutcracker” and “Dracula” are now celebrated annual and biannual productions at the Oconomowoc Arts Center.
Eddy Bray’s commitment to bettering his community shines brightly through his transformative efforts. He spearheaded a series of interpretive dance performances for the “Don’t Do It” show, supported by the National Drug Awareness Resistance Education Program (D.A.R.E). This impactful production embarked on a tour, positively impacting numerous young individuals while advocating for dance and the performing arts as alternatives to substance abuse and violence. Through a remarkable collaboration with local businesses in the Kettle Moraine Area, as well as talented artists and dancers, Eddy orchestrated a rendition of “The Nutcracker,” offered to the community free of charge. This performance not only enthralled audiences but also resulted in the donation of over 3000 pounds of non-perishable food items to the local food pantry, underscoring his significant influence on the community.
Mr. Bray’s contributions extend to teaching, as thousands of students have benefited from his energy, experience, and passion for the art of Ballet. He has taught master classes, workshops, and teacher training and private coaching throughout the U.S., including at the “Milwaukee Performing Arts Center,” “Alverno College,” “Carroll University,” “Marquette University,” “University of Illinois,” “St. Mary’s Academy,” “Studio San Damiano,” “Kendic Dance Studio,” “North Shore Dance Academy,” “Milwaukee High School of the Arts,” “Milwaukee Ballet School,” “Milwaukee Inner City Arts Council,” “Brookfield Montessori School,” “Kettle Moraine School District,” “Lake Country School District,” “William Reilly Academy of Ballet,” “Westport Ballet,” “Joffrey Ballet,” “Gus Giordano Studios,” “Foursis Dance Academy,” “Boitsov Classical Ballet,” “Swiss Turners,” “La Fleurs,” “Salto,” and the list goes on. Director Bray continues to teach Master Ballet Class, Private Coaching, and Teacher Trainings.
Many of Eddy Bray’s students have gone on to excel in top training programs, universities, and professional ballet companies worldwide, including the “Royal Winnipeg Ballet,” “Cary Ballet Conservatory,” “Purchase Conservatory of Dance,” “U-Arts,” “Indiana Ballet Conservatory,” “Gelsey Kirkland Academy,” “Joffrey Ballet,” “Ballet Met,” “Alvin Ailey American Dance School,” “Sarasota Ballet,” “American Ballet Theater,” “Orlando Ballet,” “Ballet West,” “Kansas City Ballet,” “Boston Ballet,” “Madison Ballet,” and more.
Presently, Mr. Bray assumes the roles of Artistic Director and Master Ballet Teacher, Mentor, and Private Coach at MainStage Academy of Dance | School of Classical Ballet. His dedication to the ethos of “Impact Lives Through the Art of Dance” is palpable in the extensive professional development curriculum he offers, nurturing a familial atmosphere, fostering artistic progression, and infusing enjoyment into the learning process.
In summary, Eddy Bray has devoted his life to the study, comprehension, and application of Russian ballet pedagogy. The accolades mentioned merely scratch the surface of Director Bray’s achievements, ranging from his innovative choreography to his steadfast dedication to classical excellence. Director Bray frequently underscores that “dance is not merely a vocation; it is intrinsic to my being.”