Petter Jacobsson

Born in Stockholm, Petter Jacobsson started his studies in dance at  the age of three and was further educated at the Royal Swedish Ballet  School, he later graduated from the Vaganova Academy in St.Petersburg in  1982.

As a principal dancer with the Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet in London  between 1984 to 1993, he toured the globe dancing all of the renowned  classical roles as well as appearing as guest artist with numerous  international companies. In 1993, he moved to New York to begin a  freelance career, studying with Merce Cunningham and working with Twyla  Tharp Dance Company, Irene Hultman Dance and later Deborah Hay.

Petter and Thomas Caley started working as a creative team in the mid  nineties, choreographing works for Martha@Mother, the Joyce Soho in New  York and the choreography for the opera Staden at the Royal Opera in  Stockholm, a commission for the 1998 Cultural capital of Europe.

In 1999, Petter was appointed artistic director of the Royal Swedish Ballet in Stockholm, which led the two artists to move to Europe to continue their collaboration. They founded their own independent dance company in 2005, producing a varied repertoire including works such as Nightlife, Unknown Partner, Flux, No Man’s Land-No Land’s Man and The Nearest Nearness. In 2011, Petter became director of the CCN Ballet de Lorraine in Nancy, in collaboration with Thomas Caley. Together they choreograph for the company and each year invite a wide range of French and international artists to explore a variety of issues and themes.

Petter Jacobsson was made an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2021.

Source: Montpellier danse