Eric Ragan (Artistic Director of LIC Ballet and LIC School of Ballet)

Eric Ragan Founder and Artistic Director of LIC Ballet and LIC School of Ballet Eric Ragan has danced professionally for over 30 years. Early in his career he studied with Flemming Flindt at Dallas Ballet in the Bournonville style. He also worked with Natasha Krassovska from the Ballet Russe. In 1989, Eric was selected by Frederic Franklin of the Ballet Russe to dance the role of Johnny in Ruth Page Center’s Frankie and Johnny. It was the ‘kickoff’ to an impressive career. To this day, Mr. Ragan credits much of his success to Franklin. “He was my most important coach and my mentor.” Eric joined the Tulsa Ballet Theatre in 1988, during his second year with the company he was promoted to soloist. “That’s where I danced in Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo for the first time”. It became one of Eric’s signature performances. Eric would also dance with Ballet Austin and the Eugene Ballet where he worked with renowned choreographer, Tony Pimble, dancing Mercutio in her Romeo and Juliet. Once again, Mr. Ragan found a new audience in Switzerland where he danced at the famed Stadttheatre StGallen before returning to Eugene Ballet. With 15 years of training and performing under his belt, he was on his way to New York. “In New York I performed as a soloist with Dances Patrelle, Ballet for Young Audiences and with the Suzanne Farrell Ballet at Kennedy Center for 8 years as well as many guest performances; most notably with the American Ballet Theatre dancing the Roper in Rodeo. Mr. Ragan founded LICSB and LICB. A superb dancer, choreographer and producer, Eric is founder and artistic director of the Long Island City Ballet — and an arts activist with an eye to the artistic encouragement of ballet.