Doug Fullington, Dance Historian and Musicologist: "Don't Hesitate to Say Yes"

 "Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey with Special Guest Doug Fullington

In this episode of "Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey speaks with Doug Fullington, dance historian and musicologist, about his journey into the world of dance and music. They discuss the importance of music in ballet, the role of dance notation. The conversation also touches on the significance of historical archives, the impact of character dances, and Doug's current work at the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

They delve into Doug's recent publication, The Five Ballets from Paris and St. Petersburg, and his ongoing projects, including editing the score of Giselle. Throughout the episode, Doug shares insights into the evolution of ballet and the importance of preserving its history.

Doug Fullington dance historian and musicologist, born and raised in Seattle. Doug received degrees in music and law from the University of Washington and has since taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the School of Music as a visiting scholar and auxiliary member of the faculty. In 2020 Doug was a guest instructor at Princeton University. Doug earned a Ph.D. in music history at the University of Washington in 2022.

Doug’s work in ballet is focused on nineteenth-century French and Russian source material. A fluent reader of Stepanov choreographic notation, he has contributed historically informed dances to a number of productions. He has work for Pacific Northwest Ballet School, collaborated with Tamara Rojo in the early stages of her work on Raymonda (English National Ballet, 2022; San Francisco Ballet, 2025), and in 2024, he staged Star on the Rise... La Bayadère Reimagined! with Phil Chan at Indiana University. Most recently, he staged The Sleeping Beauty with Pete Boal at Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Doug’s writings on dance have been published in Ballet Alert!, Ballet Review, Dance View, and Dancing Times and online by Oxford University Press. He is co-author with Marian Smith of Five Ballets from Paris and St. Petersburg (Oxford University Press, 2024.)

Doug has been a frequent presenter and moderator for the Guggenheim Museum’s Works & Process series.

Doug has spent thirty years with Pacific Northwest Ballet (Seattle), serving as Assistant to Artistic Directors Kent Stowell and Francia Russell and later as Assistant to Artistic Director Peter Boal as well as Audience Education Manager. He is currently Dance Historian for PNB.

Doug is also the founder and director of the Tudor Choir, a professional vocal ensemble based in Seattle since 1993. He has a particular interest in the music of Tudor England and early American repertory. As a countertenor, Doug has performed with the Tudor Choir and Byrd Ensemble, was a member for fourteen years of the Compline Choir of St. Mark’s Cathedral (Seattle), and performed with the London-based Tallis Scholars in England, France, and the United States during the years 2000–2002.

In addition to his work with the Tudor Choir, Doug has conducted the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and Seattle Baroque Orchestra. He was instrumental in establishing the Tallis Scholars Summer Schools USA and in 2019 was a tutor on the Byrd International Singers' Scotland Renaissance Course.

More Information:

https://www.dougfullington.com/

Tudor Choir Upcoming Performance

Friday, December 19 @ 8 PM

Holy Rosary Catholic Church

4139 42nd Ave SW, Seattle

Tickets

https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/byrdensemble/dec-19-tudor-choir-christmas-in-a-wintry-world-holy-rosary-church

Virtual tickets

https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/byrdensemble/dec-19-tudor-choir-christmas-in-a-wintry-world-virtual-concert

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey 

"Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

⁠https://dancetalkwithjoannecarey.com/⁠

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