René Olivier
René Olivier’s professional career started in 1990 with the Natal Performing Arts Council, in South Africa. From there, she joined Alberta Ballet, in Canada for their 1998-1999 season. She joined Tulsa Ballet Theater in 1999. While a Soloist, she got the opportunity to teach for Tulsa Ballet Theater Center for Dance Education’s Preparatory Level. In 2010 she became a full time faculty member at Charlotte Ballet Academy. Ms. Olivier taught and choreographed for all Levels year round, as well as for their Summer Intensives. She acted as assistant repetiteur for visiting artist Valentina Kozlova, who set Corsaire, La Bayadere, Raymonda and Paquita, for Charlotte Ballet’s Summer Intensives. She got the opportunity to set Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s, Danses Brillantes on Charlotte Ballet Company, alongside Sarkis Kaltakhtchian. In addition, she became a adjunct faculty member at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte from 2012. Currently she is a faculty member at the Hartt Community School. She choreographed Carnival of the Animals for Level A, B & C, Division I. In 2019 she got invited to teach as adjunct faculty for The Hartt School Dance division.
Dancing offered Ms. Olivier the opportunity to perform in countries like China, India, Italy and Alaska. Some of her favorite roles included, the lead in George Balanchine’s Rubies and Serenade. Lady Capulet in Michael Smuin’s Romeo and Juliet. Titania in Mark Hawkins, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Featured roles in Jerome Robbin’s In the Night. Twyla Tharp’s Nine Sinatra songs and Paul Taylor’s Black Tuesday. As well as Ma Cong’s Carmina Burana. She is the recipient of the 1997 FNB Vita Award, for her performances with The Playhouse Dance Company.