Gilbert Bolden III
Gilbert Bolden III was born in San Diego, California and began dancing at the age of nine in Las Vegas, Nevada.
His ballet training began in 2011 at Idyllwild Arts Academy in Idyllwild, CA, and he continued his studies at The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, PA in 2013. In 2014, Mr. Bolden enrolled at the School of American Ballet, NYCB’s official school.
Mr. Bolden became an apprentice with the Company in August 2017 and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in August 2018. As an apprentice with the Company, Mr. Bolden III performed a featured role in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® (Mother Ginger) and originated a featured role in Gianna Reisen’s Composer’s Holiday.
In October 2023, Mr. Bolden was promoted to soloist and in February 2025 was promoted to principal dancer.
Portrait © Erin Baiano
GEORGE BALANCHINE
- Bourrée Fantasque
- Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet
- Carousel (A Dance)
- Concerto Barocco
- Episodes
- Firebird (Katschei, Prince Ivan)
- The Four Temperaments
- A Midsummer Night's Dream (Bottom, Theseus)
- George Balanchine's The Nutcracker® (Mother Ginger, Cavalier, Dr. Stahlbaum)
- Orpheus (Pluto)
- Scotch Symphony
- Slaughter on Tenth Avenue
- Swan Lake
- Tschaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2
- Western Symphony (Allegro)
ALBERT EVANS
- In a Landscape
PETER MARTINS
- Barber Violin Concerto
- The Sleeping Beauty (King Floristan)
- Swan Lake (Hungarian Dance, Spanish Dance)
JUSTIN PECK
- Belles-Lettres
- Copland Dance Episodes
- In Creases
- Partita
- Pulcinella Variations
- Year of the Rabbit
TILER PECK
- Concerto for Two Pianos
ALYSA PIRES
- Standard Deviation
ALEXEI RATMANSKY
- Odesa
- Voices
JEROME ROBBINS
- The Cage
- The Four Seasons (Fall)
- In The Night
PAM TANOWITZ
- Law of Mosaics
Silas Farley
- Architects of Time
AMY HALL GARNER
- Underneath, There Is Light
Justin Peck
- Bright
- Mystic Familiar
- Principia
- Rotunda
CAILI QUAN
- Beneath the Tides
Gianna Reisen
- Composer's Holiday
Lauren Lovette
- The Shaded Line
Gianna Reisen
- Judah
ANATOMY OF A DANCE
Gilbert Bolden III on Justin Peck's MYSTIC FAMILIAR
"It felt really fun to just exist on stage and not be so made up," says Principal Dancer Gilbert Bolden III, reflecting on Justin Peck's Mystic Familiar. Gilbert radiates effortless strength and a commanding presence in the Fire pas de deux while remaining a steady, grounded partner.
Screen Test
Gilbert Bolden III
Gilbert Bolden III's dancing days began in front of the television, learning from music videos on MTV. His mother and local dance instructors soon recognized his talent, and the rest is history. He shares about early ballet experiences, NYCB colleague camaraderie, and a few other talents he has up his well-tailored sleeve.