Phillip Otto has served as the artistic director for the Huntsville Ballet since 2008.

A New York native, he trained at the School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre School and the Joffrey School. As a child, Otto was a member of the Metropolitan Opera’s Children’s Chorus and danced with New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, London’s Royal Ballet, the Stuttgart Ballet, and the Bolshoi Ballet. As an adult, Otto danced principal and soloist roles with Milwaukee Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet.

After retiring, he joined the faculty of Pacific Northwest Ballet School. He went on to direct Pacific Northwest Ballet’s student company as well as the company’s outreach and educational programs. Otto serves as permanent guest faculty for the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia and has taught master classes throughout the U.S.

He recently participated in a question-and-answer session with the Lede.