Claire Bayliss Nagar

Artistic Director of The Israel Ballet

Originally from Birmingham, UK Claire studied and graduated from The Royal Ballet School, London. She danced in London’s Ballet Imperial, National Ballet of Portugal in Lisbon, Michael Claire’s first company in London, Balleto di Roma, Teatro Koros, Balleto del Sole and the Arena Di Verona. Most notably, during her seven-year tenure at the renowned Ballets De Monte Carlo, she worked as a Demi-Soloist alongside some of the foremost choreographers of that time including Jean -Yves Esquerre, Jean Christophe Maillot, Forsythe, Neumier, Roland Petit, Karole Armitage, John Allayne, Jiri Kjlian, Renato Zanella, Nacho Duato. Her repertoire includes many Balanchine ballets and historical Ballet Russe ballets. After moving to Israel, she joined the Israel Ballet as a Principal dancer for two seasons. After retiring from the stage, Claire worked at The Batsheva Ensemble for thirteen years as Rehearsal Director, ballet teacher, and later Company Manager alongside renowned choreographer Ohad Naharin. Returning to The Israel Ballet as Company Manager, teacher, and Ballet Mistress in 2013, she was appointed Artistic Director of The Israel Ballet and its school in 2018.