Biography

Lam was born in Marin County, California. Born from immigrant parents from Vietnam, Lam found his passion for life in dance at age 4. Training at Marin Ballet, Lam formed vital relationships that would mold his career and was coached by renowned Svetlana Afanasieva, Cynthia Lucas, and Mikko Nissinen. In 2000, Lam began his tenure with Canada's National Ballet School under the directorship of Mavis Staines. Coached by famous Sergiu Stefanschi, Lam developed a foundation that would launch his career in 2003 with the invitation from Mikko Nissinen to join Boston Ballet.

"For Lam to command the enormous stage at the Wang Theatre by himself in what is usually confounding choreography for most viewers demonstrates that without a doubt, he has moved to a new level of virtuosity." (Theodore Bale, Dance International)
"John Lam has emerged as one of the company's most versatile and expressive soloists. He was riveting in William Forsythe's  ‘The Vile Parody of Address.’" (Karen Campbell, The Boston Globe)

Repertoire

Marius Petipa, Sleeping Beauty (Prince Desire); George Balanchine, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oberon), Coppélia (Franz), Rubies (Principal Man), Symphony in Three Movements (Jumping Pay, Main Pas), Episodes (2nd Movement Pas de Deux), The Four Temperaments (Melancolic), La Valse (2nd Movement Pas de Deux), Divertimento No. 15 (Principal Man); Vaslav Nijinsky, Afternoon Of a Faun (Faun); Jorma Elo, Plan To B, Close to Chuck, In On Blue, Carmen, Bach Cello Suites, Brake the Eyes; William Forsythe, In The Middle, Somewhat Elevated; The Second Detail; The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, Vile Parody of Address; Jiří Kylián, Saraband,  Petite Mort, Sechs Tänze, Wings of Wax, Bella Figura, Tar and Feathers; Christopher Wheeldon, Polyphonia (Waltz Pas, Joke Pas); John Cranko, The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet; John Neumeier, Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler

Training

The Marin Ballet School (with Svetlana Afansiavia, Mikko Nissinen, Cynthia Lucas) San Rafael, CA (1988-2000); Canada's National Ballet School (with Sergiu Stefanschi, Glen Gilmore, Peggy Baker) Toronto, Canada (2000-2003)

Career

Boston Ballet (Boston, MA): Boston Ballet II (2003); Corps de Ballet (2004); Second Soloist (2006); Soloist (2008); Principal (2014)

Awards

Peter Dwyer Award (2002); Perino Ambrosoli Award (2002); Lawrence Haskett Award (2003); Princess Grace Award (2005); Proclamation Award, "Key to San Rafael" (2010)