Who is Violette Verdy?
James Stevens
Updated on February 27, 2026
Violette Verdy (born Nelly Armande Guillerm; 1 December 1933 – 8 February 2016) was a French ballerina, choreographer, teacher, and writer who worked as a dance company director with the Paris Opera Ballet in France and the Boston Ballet in the United States.
Why did Verdy leave NYC Ballet?
Verdy left New York City Ballet in 1977 to become the first female artistic director of the Paris Opera Ballet, an illustrious but notoriously bureaucratic organization. After three years there, a change in the French government administration led her to leave Paris and return to the United States in 1980.
Who is Elizabeth Verdy’s husband Colin Clark?
In the 1960s, Verdy was briefly married to the writer and filmmaker Colin Clark. Verdy left New York City Ballet in 1977 to become the first female artistic director of the Paris Opera Ballet, an illustrious but notoriously bureaucratic organization.
When did Eloise Verdy start dancing?
From 1949 onward, she was also often seen dancing on French, British, Canadian, and American television. In the 1960s, Verdy was briefly married to the writer and filmmaker Colin Clark.
