 joined The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago
in October 1995,
following three performance seasons with The Royal Ballet of Flanders.
Since joining The Joffrey, Beirens has danced numerous solo roles, including
that of the Nutcracker Prince in Robert Joffrey’s THE NUTCRACKER, and the “Stay With
Me” pas de deux, choreographed by Ann Marie DeAngelo, in Gerald Arpino’s production
of LEGENDS II. Beirens dances the leads in many of Gerald Arpino’s ballets, including
VIVA VIVALDI, CONFETTI and KETTENTANZ, as well as the lead in George Balanchine’s
TCHAIKOVSKY PAS DE DEUX. Choreographer Alonzo King created a role on Beirens in his
Joffrey-commissioned CANTE.
Beirens started his ballet studies at age 12 at the National Ballet
School of Antwerp, Belgium, under the direction of Jos Brabants. He was taught by Anne Van
Cauwenbergh, Stephan Schuller and Pavel Vokum.
In 1989, as a student, he was selected to participate in the
Rencontres Internationales de la Baule in France, where he received the award for
“best classical dancer.” During his studies, he also worked with The Royal
Ballet of Flanders, directed by Valery Panov.
Following graduation, Beirens danced for one season with Le Jeune
Ballet de France, where his numerous solo and principal roles included included those in
FLAME OF PARIS, SLEEPING BEAUTY, THE NUTCRACKER, LA FILLE MAL GARDEE, DON QUIXOTE, SWAN
LAKE, LE CORSAIRE and RAYMONDA, among others.
Beirens danced with The Zurich Ballet, under the direction of Uwe
Scholz, from 1990 through 1991. During this season, he danced many of Scholz’s
choreographies, including SCHOPFUNG, SCHUMAN SYMPHONIE, TAUSEND GRUSSE, FIREBIRD and
TOCATTA, and danced Les Pas de Huit in Peter Schaufuss’ LA SYLPHIDE.
In January 1992, Pierre Wyss invited Beirens to Wiesbaden Ballet to
perform the role of Apollo in his OEDIPUS. Beirens joined The Royal Ballet of Flanders,
directed by Robert Denvers, in September 1992, where he worked with choreographers
including Paolo Bartolucci, Mauricio Wainrot, Peter Anastos, Attilion Labis and Menia
Martinez.
In March 1995, Beirens was invited by Ricardo Cue to participate in
a gala performance honoring prima ballerina Maya Plizetskaya, in Murcia, Spain.
. In October of 1998, Cynthia Gregory invited Mr. Beirens to New
York to perform “Stay With Me” from LEGENDS as part of the Career Transitions in
Dance program.
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