John Goding was named ballet master in the spring of 1998 after a long career as a principal dancer with the Company. Still performing today, he stages and rehearses many works in the repertoire. A founding member of The Washington Ballet, Mr. Goding performed in leading roles created for him by Choo-San Goh including Birds of Paradise, In the Glow of the Night and Unknown Territory, as well as in the classical and contemporary repertoire. Mr. Goding has choreographed numerous works for the Company including Danzon, Mysteries and Rhapsody in Swing, which were all premiered at the Kennedy Center. Trained at the Woodbridge Ballet Arts School in Virginia and the Washington School of Ballet, he also studied at the School of American Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet School.