Ballet dancers are not just artists. They’re athletes—and elite ones at that. They are focused, ambitious, and required to operate at peak levels of physical endurance. But unlike some of their sports-figure counterparts, they aren’t household names. And while no city will throw a parade in their honor, the amount of sweat and toil required to achieve the rank of professional remain the same, as does the chance of ever reaching that unique milestone, even after years of preliminary training. To dance professionally requires a high degree of fitness and stamina, along with equal measures of artistry and craft. To do so for 15 years is impressive. For 20 years, remarkable. And 25 years, well… almost unheard of, especially in a profession so physically demanding and plagued with injuries. Yet Philadelphia Ballet soloist James Ihde did just that, having spent the past quarter century as a ballet professional. By way of comparison to other locally celebrated athletes, Mike Schmidt, one of the greatest Phillies to wear the uniform, lasted 17 seasons as a professional; Julius Erving survived 16, as did beloved Eagles safety Brian Dawkins. To say James Ihde is treading rarified ground is an understatement. To say he has done so with grace and fortitude is not. Over the years, his commitment has never wavered, and he continues to dance as strongly and consistently today as he did the first time he set foot on stage.
James Ihde’s ballet journey began in Kent, Ohio in 1985 when he would accompany his two sisters, Jessica and Elisabeth, to ballet class. After months of prodding, their teacher, Ms. Gina Carroll, had convinced James to join them. In addition to needing more boys in her class, she saw in James something special, which is why when the time came, she encouraged him to audition for Philadelphia Ballet, a company where she believed he would find success. At the time, James did not think a professional career was in the cards for him. Thankfully, his teacher was right, and he—obviously—could not have been more wrong. After one summer at the Rock School, James was invited to join the company for the 1993–94 season, and he moved to Philadelphia, where he would spend the next 25 years of his life. In that time, James has witnessed or played part in many cultural firsts for the city, including the Avenue of the Arts, “Shut Up & Dance,” FringeArts, and BalletX, whose co-founders, Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan, both danced with James early on and still consider him a close friend. Neenan, also Philadelphia Ballet’s current choreographer in residence, even credits James as “integral to my early development as a choreographer,” calling him “…a shining example who never allowed his ego to conflict with the work.”
James has danced with ballet’s best and brightest and collaborated with some of the industry’s finest artists, including his three artistic directors: Christopher d’Amboise, Roy Kaiser, and Angel Corella. Kaiser, his director of 19 years, lauded James’s commitment to craft and described him as a “dedicated dancer who gave Philadelphia audiences many memorable performances.” Corella was no less effusive with his praise, calling James a wonderful dancer and an exceptional partner. “Anyone who has seen him perform knows this,” said Corella, “but I hope they also know just how much he brings to this company. His dedication, positive energy, and willingness to push himself and explore new ways of working have served as a model for our dancers. He is the epitome of what it means to be a professional, and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to work with him. He’s an important part of Philadelphia Ballet history, and I will greatly miss having him in our studios every day.”
James Ihde is without a doubt the epitome of a professional. He has instructed thousands of dancers, both formally and by example. He has performed throughout the country and abroad, danced in over 500 Nutcrackers, appeared in hundreds of premieres, and originated dozens of roles in numerous productions. But James is not one to brag. If asked, he will simply tell you he was lucky enough to do something he loved for as long as he did. He will talk about his friends and colleagues and the time they shared on stage. If pressed, he might tell you the secret to his longevity was a disciplined workout regime, or that his favorite part was the pas de deux in Christopher Wheeldon’s After the Rain. And while he may have shined in that role, it is as poetic as it is appropriate that James is retiring with the Diamonds pas de deux from George Balanchine’s Jewels. Like him, it is both entertaining and timeless, and demands a partner who is experienced and reliable. And like him, a diamond itself is renowned for its elegance, rarity, and superlative physical attributes.
Now, if you will allow me to step from behind the curtain for moment, I would like to say, on a personal note, I am not only the writer of this feature and longtime fan of James Ihde, but I am also one of his oldest and closest friends. To be able to tell his story is deeply meaningful to me. I have known James his entire career. We have shared more fond memories than I care to count, and it has been my honor to watch him grow over the years, personally and professionally. Being his friend also provides me with unique insight into his character, which is why I can say without hesitation that of everyone James has encountered in his 25-year career, his greatest and most profound influence is his father, Bill Ihde. It only seems appropriate to punctuate James’s career by celebrating that relationship, which is why I reached out to ask Bill what he would like to express to his son at this moment. Here is what he said:
“James—At the age of 18, you left our home to pursue a dream. Over the years, I have watched you embrace that pursuit with a deep sense of humility, diligence, and integrity—qualities I know to have sustained your remarkable career. You have thrilled audiences and colleagues alike. But, most of all, you have made your family proud and allowed me to fulfill every father’s greatest dream: to be able to look at his son and say, ‘Well done! I could not be more proud!’” Indeed, James Ihde has made us all proud. And, like his aptly-titled final pas upon the Academy stage, he is a true ballet diamond… one Philadelphia Ballet, the City of Philadelphia, and the dance community will surely miss but hardly forget.
Congratulations James!
Header Photo: James Ihde and Beatrice Jona Affron | Photo: Arian Molina Soca
Martha Chamberlain and James Ihde | Photo: Alexander Iziliaev
James Ihde | Photo: Alexander Iziliaev