Jock Soto | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1965 (age 59–60) Gallup, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Occupation | Principal dancer for theNew York City Ballet |
Jock Soto (born 1965)[1] is a former Americanballet dancer and current ballet instructor.
Jock Soto danced featured roles in over 40 ballets, of which more than 35 were created for him.
While a student at theSchool of American Ballet (SAB) he danced the role of Luke inPeter Martins'The Magic Flute, which was choreographed for SAB's 1981 workshop performances. It transferred to theNew York City Ballet, and he retained his role.[1] He joined New York City Ballet in 1981 and made his debut as Luke inThe Magic Flute the following January.[2] He was promoted tosoloist in 1984 and toprincipal dancer in 1985.
Soto danced the role of a parent in the 1993 film version ofThe Nutcracker, a version based on the New York City Ballet production choreographed byGeorge Balanchine.
He gave his farewell performance on Sunday, June 19, 2005. The program featured ballets by five different choreographers: "Dance at the Gym" fromJerome Robbins'West Side Story Suite,Peter Martins'Barber Violin Concerto,Christopher Wheeldon'sLiturgy,Lynne Taylor-Corbett'sChiaroscuro, and the Royal Navy section of George Balanchine'sUnion Jack.[3]
He has been a permanent member of the faculty at SAB since 1996, where he teaches partnering and technique classes to intermediate and advanced students. He also has pursued a "culinary career".[4]
Soto was born inGallup, New Mexico, and raised inPhoenix, Arizona. His parents arePuerto Rican andNavajo.[1] Soto is openly gay.[5] He had a long-term relationship withchoreographerChristopher Wheeldon,[6][7] with whom he also had a critically lauded professional relationship. In June 2003, Soto met chef/sommelier Luis Fuentes and began a relationship[8] with him. Soto and Fuentes were married in New York on October 14, 2011; their wedding was featured inThe New York Times' "Vows" column.[9]