Originally from Richmond, Virginia, David Claypoole started dancing at the age of 9, training at The School of Richmond Ballet and attending summer programs with Joffrey Ballet New York, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, and Richmond Ballet. David earned his college degree in Dance and Performance through Virginia Commonwealth University dual program with The Richmond Ballet trainee program. He spent two years performing in Richmond Ballet’s second company dancing ballets such as Malcom Burn’s Romeo and Juliet and Swipe by Val Canaperoli. David has danced numerous lead roles with Fort Wayne Ballet including Dracula in Fort Wayne Ballet’s original Dracula, Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, works by Gerald Arpino including Pas de Deesses, Light Rain, and Edward Stierle’s Empyrean Dances. He has worked with guest repetiteurs including Cameron Basden, Jeremy Blanton, Kim Sagami, and Adam Sklute. David is excited to be performing in his eighth season.