David Howard seemed to have been born for a life in the theater in 1930’s London. A very early experience at the Chelsea Palace Theater set his mind to a life on stage. He opted out of singing and into dance and became a soloist with The Royal Ballet but a back injury shortened his performing career. In an unexpected turn, he was invited to teach at Rebecca Harkness’ new school in New York. His development as a teacher, utilizing kinesiology and an innate sense of theater and problem-solving, led him to be one of the most sought-after teachers and coaches in ballet and gained him the nickname “teacher to the stars”.

In 2011, an event hosted by Indianapolis City Ballet and produced by Jolinda Menendez and Kevin Hesse, honored David Howard and shared performances dedicated to his 45 years of teaching in America. In a series of interviews conducted to tell David’s story, we went to London when he was making one of his annual teaching engagements at The Royal Ballet and around New York to his home-away-from-home Steps on Broadway. With help from his manager and long-time friend Sharon Wagner, we were able to capture interviews with some of his esteemed students and colleagues. Interlaced into these tributes, at the MacMillan Studio in the Royal Opera House on April; 23, 2011, David tells his life story, and we get to spend An Afternoon with David Howard.