TheHouston Ballet promoted first soloist Harper Watters to principal dancer on Saturday, March 1, following his performance in the company’s production of Maninyas as the Blue Couple. The move marks the ballet’s first promotion to principal since 2018, underscoring Watters’ exceptional talent and dedication.
Watters began dancing with the Houston Ballet in 2009, when he joined Houston Ballet II, the company's second company. His remarkable talent and dedication quickly propelled him through the ranks: he advanced to the corps de ballet in 2011, was promoted to demi soloist in 2016, and ascended to soloist in 2017. In 2021, he achieved the position of first soloist.
“Stepping into my audition with Houston Ballet feels like yesterday, but it was the beginning of something so much bigger,” Watters said in a statement. “That day, I felt a sense of humanity and identity that this community has continued to show me, and that feeling has only grown. I’m grateful to be part of Houston Ballet and excited for the journey ahead — expressing myself through dance and sharing that passion with the world.”
Houston Ballet audiences have seen Watters in production such as Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker as the Prince and a performer in La Bayadère, in Ben Stevenson's The Nutcracker as Gopak and Lead Flower, as Sancho Panza and Espada in Don Quixote, as well as in Giselle and Romeo and Juliet. He has danced 'Theme 1' in George Balanchine's The Four Temperaments, along with roles in Balanchine's Theme and Variations, Jewels,and Ballet Imperial. Additionally, he performed in the world premiere of Edwaard Liang's Murmuration and created roles in Aszure Barton's Angular Momentum and Come In, Garret Smith's Return, Justin Peck’s Reflections, and Stanton Welch's Sylvia as Apollo, The Rite of Spring, and The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra as Trumpet.
Watters has become a prominent figure in the dance community through his vibrant social media presence, with a substantial following on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, where he shares insights into his life as a professional dancer and advocates for authenticity and self-expression.
He was raised in Dover, New Hampshire, where his passion for dance was evident from a young age. Watters began his formal training at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts prior to joining the Houston Ballet. His promotion to principal dancer not only celebrates his artistic achievements but also highlights his role as a trailblazer in the ballet world.
Photo by Lawrence Elizabeth Knox/Courtesy of Houston Ballet
Harper Watters in Justin Peck’s Under the Folding Sky.
