A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Ben began his dance training with Madalyn Montegudo and Marianne Hebert. He went on to dance with Baton Rouge Ballet Theater, receiving scholarships for summer programs at Ballet Austin, Harid Conservatory, Nashville Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
He holds a Bachelors degree in Ballet Performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where he was mentored by Guoping Wang, Doricha Sales, and Violette Verdy. He danced featured roles in all ballet department productions and was able to collaborate in projects outside the Jacobs School as well, dancing for cellist Dr. Sophie Weber and in multiple works by choreographer Esther Widlanski.
Ben danced as a trainee with Ballet Memphis, and later joined Denver’s Ballet Nouveau Colorado (now Wonderbound), where he danced for two seasons under the leadership of Garrett Ammon and Dawn Fay. With BNC, he danced in several world premiers including the company’s premier performance at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, as well as in collaborations with RedLine Art Gallery and the Colorado Symphony.
Upon leaving dance company life, Ben has performed with Houston Grand Opera, the Arvada Center Theater, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Central City Opera, and the Boston Early Music Festival. His concise technique and formidable stage presence add a distinct style to his performance, proving him to be a most versatile performer capable of productions ranging from contemporary to classical.
A noted teacher as well, he is skilled to teach ballet, jazz, and repertory to beginners through adults. He served as a primary instructor and ballet master for the Indiana University Pre-college Ballet program, and was on the faculty at School of Ballet Nouveau Colorado (now the Colorado Conservatory of Dance) for two years.
Ben is a member in good standing of both Actors’ Equity Association and the American Guild of Musical Artists.