Jean-Pierre Bonnefous

Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux (born 9 April 1943, in Bourg en Bresse, France) is a French ballet dancer and instructor. He is currently the artistic director at the Charlotte Ballet and the Chautauqua Institution. At 14, Bonnefoux joined the Paris Opera Ballet, and became a star dancer at age 21. Under the direction of George Balanchine, Bonnefoux became a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet. He has served twice as the President of the Jury at the Prix de Lausanne (2005 and 2007). He, his wife Patricia McBride, and two children reside in Charlotte, North Carolina.