Principal Dancer

Patrick Yocum

  • Souderton, Pennsylvania

  • Joined Boston Ballet in 2011

That wasn't flying- that was falling with style!!

Woody, Toy Story

Patrick Yocum in Giselle
Photo credit: Rosalie O'Connor

Patrick Yocum in Giselle
Photo credit: Rosalie O'Connor

Biography

Patrick Yocum began his ballet training in his home state of Pennsylvania. After graduating high school, he continued his training with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School before joining Boston Ballet’s Trainee Program as its Sydney Leonard scholar. Yocum joined Boston Ballet II in 2009. BBII provided him many performance opportunities, including the works of August Bournonville (Napoli Pas de Six, Le Conservatoire) and Jorma Elo (Pointe Off, Carmen/Illusions and Plan to B).
 
He has appeared in leading roles in classical repertoire including Giselle (Albrecht), Frederick Ashton’s Sleeping Beauty (Prince Desire), August Bournonville’s La Sylphide (James), John Cranko’s Onegin (Vladimir Lensky) and Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), Ivan Liska’s Le Corsair (Konrad), and Mikko Nissinen’s Swan Lake (Siegfried) and The Nutcracker.
 
He has especially enjoyed leading roles in neoclassical and contemporary works from esteemed choreographers including George Balanchine, Val Caniparoli, Merce Cunningham, Alexander Eckman, Jorma Elo, William Forsythe, Jiri Kylian, Wayne Macgregor, John Neumeier, Justin Peck, Helen Pickett, Jerome Robbins, and Leonid Yakobson. He has created roles in works, such as Karole Armitage’s Bitches Brew, Jorma Elo’s Fifth Symphony of Jean Sibelius, William Forsythe’s Playlist (EP), and Jose Martinez’ Resonance.
 
He has performed internationally in Spain, the U.K., Canada, France, Finland, South Korea, and in many cities in the United States.
 
Yocum joined Boston Ballet’s corps de ballet in 2011, was promoted to the rank of soloist in 2015, and became a principal dancer in 2017.

Behind the Scenes

Dancer Insight: Working with William Forsythe

We got the inside scoop from Company dancers Misa Kuranaga and Patrick Yocum on what it is like to work with the renowned choreographer William Forsythe.

Explore

Spotlight: August Bournonville’s La Sylphide

Get a sneak preview of La Sylphide—an enchanted tale of a mysterious sprite, her smitten suitor, and a vengeful sorceress.

Spotlight: August Bournonville’s La Sylphide

Fall for the spellbinding tale of La Sylphide. When a young man leaves everything he knows to pursue an elusive woodland fairy, a vengeful sorceress conspires to tear them apart with her dangerous magic.

Video by Ernesto Galan 

Fall for the spellbinding tale of La Sylphide. When a young man leaves everything he knows to pursue an elusive woodland fairy, a vengeful sorceress conspires to tear them apart with her dangerous magic.

Video by Ernesto Galan 

Inside Look: Ballet Pantomime

Get an inside look at how dancers use pantomime to tell stories through movement, rather than words.

Inside Look: Ballet Pantomime

Discover the meaning behind the movement as Principal Dancers Viktorina Kapitonova and Patrick Yocum, led by Ballet Master Larissa Ponomarenko, demonstrate ballet pantomime.

Video by Element Productions

Discover the meaning behind the movement as Principal Dancers Viktorina Kapitonova and Patrick Yocum, led by Ballet Master Larissa Ponomarenko, demonstrate ballet pantomime.

Video by Element Productions

Patrick Yocum

Meet Principal Dancer Patrick Yocum 

Patrick Yocum

Boston Ballet Principal Dancer Patrick Yocum talks about what ballet and dancing in Boston means to him.
Video by Ernesto Galan

Sep 5, 2017

Boston Ballet Principal Dancer Patrick Yocum talks about what ballet and dancing in Boston means to him.
Video by Ernesto Galan

Frozen Snowflakes

Watch Boston Ballet's dancers in this slo-mo sneak peek of The Nutcracker's Snow Scene.

Frozen Snowflakes

Watch Boston Ballet's dancers in this sneak peek of The Nutcracker's Snow Scene with a little extra sparkle and magic thrown in.
Video by Ernesto Galan

Watch Boston Ballet's dancers in this sneak peek of The Nutcracker's Snow Scene with a little extra sparkle and magic thrown in.
Video by Ernesto Galan

The Sleeping Beauty

This beloved fairy tale celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the power of a kiss.

The Sleeping Beauty

A wicked fairy godmother… An evil spell… A valiant prince in search of true love… The Sleeping Beauty draws you into a world of romance and wonder.

Filmed on location at beautiful Hammond Castle in Gloucester, MA
Video by Ian Travis Barnard

A wicked fairy godmother… An evil spell… A valiant prince in search of true love… The Sleeping Beauty draws you into a world of romance and wonder.

Filmed on location at beautiful Hammond Castle in Gloucester, MA
Video by Ian Travis Barnard

In the studio: Forsythe's Playlist (EP)

Get an exclusive sneak peek at Forsythe’s first world premiere created on an American company in over 25 years. 

In the studio: Forsythe's Playlist (EP)

Step inside the studio as the Company men rehearse an excerpt of Playlist (EP) that’s so fresh and fun, it’ll have you dancing along. Featuring William Forsythe’s daring choreography set to a soundtrack pulled straight from today’s pop, R&B, and soul charts, ballet never sounded better.

Video by Ernesto Galan

Step inside the studio as the Company men rehearse an excerpt of Playlist (EP) that’s so fresh and fun, it’ll have you dancing along. Featuring William Forsythe’s daring choreography set to a soundtrack pulled straight from today’s pop, R&B, and soul charts, ballet never sounded better.

Video by Ernesto Galan

In the studio | Men of Playlist (EP)

Catch a glimpse of the men's section in William Forsythe's Playlist (EP), the choreographer's first world premiere created on an American company in over 25 years.

In the studio | Men of Playlist (EP)

Our dancers are busy in the studio perfecting William Forsythe's Playlist (EP). Check out this playful excerpt set to acclaimed R&B artist Peven Everett's song "Surely Shorty." Warning: May cause spontaneous dancing.

Video by Ernesto Galan 

Our dancers are busy in the studio perfecting William Forsythe's Playlist (EP). Check out this playful excerpt set to acclaimed R&B artist Peven Everett's song "Surely Shorty." Warning: May cause spontaneous dancing.

Video by Ernesto Galan 

Dancer Insight: Patrick Yocum on Giselle

With his fate in the hands of the Wilis, is true love enough to save Albrecht?

Dancer Insight: Patrick Yocum on Giselle

Get to know Albrecht, the young nobleman who sweeps Giselle off her feet—and ultimately drives her mad with heartbreak. Hear how Principal Dancer Patrick Yocum tackles this complex role.

Video by Ernesto Galan

Get to know Albrecht, the young nobleman who sweeps Giselle off her feet—and ultimately drives her mad with heartbreak. Hear how Principal Dancer Patrick Yocum tackles this complex role.

Video by Ernesto Galan

Studio to stage: George Balanchine's Chaconne

Principal Dancers Misa Kuranaga and Patrick Yocum’s breathtaking partnering is a match made in heaven. Go behind the scenes of the ethereal Chaconne, from studio to stage.

Studio to stage: George Balanchine's Chaconne

Go behind the scenes to see Principal Dancers Misa Kuranaga and Patrick Yocum make dancing George Balanchine’s Chaconne look as effortless as walking on air, from studio to stage.



Video by Ernesto Galan

Go behind the scenes to see Principal Dancers Misa Kuranaga and Patrick Yocum make dancing George Balanchine’s Chaconne look as effortless as walking on air, from studio to stage.



Video by Ernesto Galan

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Our artist/athletes are always pushing themselves to the edge. That passion and energy is what makes watching them so exhilarating.

Mikko Nissinen, Artistic Director
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