MARY BARTON received her training at the Washington School of Ballet and participated in summer courses at SAB and Joffrey Ballet School. Her professional experience began at Washington Ballet, dancing soloist and principal roles with the company while still a student. At age 18, she joined the Oldenburg Staat Ballet as Principal Guest Artist. After performing in Europe, she returned to the US and joined the Dayton Ballet as  Principal dancer. In 1986, where she performed many of the company’s leading roles, Ms. Barton joined the Joffrey Ballet. She was chosen by Robert Joffrey for the role of Clara in the world premiere of his new Nutcracker. While at Joffrey, she performed a variety of roles in their extensive repertory. Ms. Barton danced as a principal dancer with the American Repertory Ballet from 1993-2004.  While under the direction of Septime Webre, she performed the role of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake and Juliet in his Romeo and Juliet. Ms. Barton has been on the faculty of the Princeton Ballet School since 1993, and is one of the primary teachers of the Summer Intensive. Her choreography has been presented by Rider University, The Outlet, Teamwork Dance, and Princeton University Ballet, as well as the annual school productions of Princeton Ballet School.