Stretton, Ross

▪ 2006

      Australian dancer and artistic director (b. June 6, 1952, Canberra, Australia—d. June 16, 2005, Melbourne, Australia), began as a tap dancer but moved to ballet when he was 17, and in the 1970s and '80s—noted for his elegance and pure technique—he enjoyed performing careers with the Australian Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. In 1990, upon his retirement from performing, Stretton took on administrative duties, and he eventually served as artistic director of the Australian Ballet (1997–2001) and Britain's Royal Ballet (2001–02).

* * *