When @therealericbest joined the @houstonballet in 2022, he set a quiet goal for himself.
“I said I would like to be a soloist in five or 10 years’ time, if that might be possible.”
It was a reasonable dream for a 20-year-old—though many dancers never make it out of the corps de ballet. Little did he know how quickly he’d rise to the top–advancing to first soloist in a few seasons’ time.
At the link in bio, @nvanamee speaks with Eric about his rapid ascent in the ballet world–and where his dancing will take him next. Find the full New Creative Class list in our December 2025/January 2026 issue of Town & Country (on newsstands 12/9).
First Soloist Eric Best commands the stage and pushes technical boundaries during his solo in Stanton Welch’s Vi et animo 🎼
This classical, ensemble work returns to the Wortham Theater stage this fall during our mixed program Rock, Roll & Tutus 🤍🎸
🎶 Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1
The Queen’s daughters are set to be married at the Peacock Ball in Act II of Stanton Welch’s Raymonda. The Duke of Marigold impresses guests with this variation in hopes of capturing the heart of Princess Rose👑🌹
Soloist Eric Best debuts as the Duke of Marigold
Music by Alexander Glazunov
Costumes and set design by @robertaguididibagno
Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Eric Best began dancing around three years old. His older brother was into musical theater and he would stand outside a dance studio trying to copy movements outside, when one day the instructor invited him in and he was in it from there. As a pre-teen he really began to gravitate towards ballet. Encouraged to explore summer intensive programs, Best attended NYC Ellison Ballet, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, and Houston Ballet Academy before joining Houston Ballet II in 2021. That year he attended Jacob’s Pillow where a Zoom meeting with Stanton Welch turned into his first promotion into the Company. Eric is in his third season with the company and was promoted last season to soloist.
I am so beyond grateful for having the opportunity to debut Prince and Drosselmeyer this year for Stanton Welch AM’s The Nutcracker. Thank you to everyone who supported me and coached me through these few months. These are memories that I will never forget! #TheNutcracker #HoustonBallet #Christmas
Throwback to when I was a lobby character for the Indianapolis Yuletide Celebration! I miss this show and I miss putting on that Olaf costume!!🥹😅 #Christmas #IndianapolisSymphonyOrchestra #Yuletide #Olaf
I had such a great time spending two weeks at UCROSS during the Summer break with @jackwwolff and @aoi__fujiwara25 Thank you Ucross for having us and letting us use your beautiful studio!!🤗❤️
#OnTheRise: With his crisp technique, subtle swagger, and beguiling fluidity, @houstonballet ’s Eric Best (@therealericbest ) catapulted from the corps de ballet to soloist at the opening of the season, and audiences cannot get enough of him.
Read more at the link in our bio! 🧡
📸: Best in Stanton Welch’s “Tu Tu” (1) and “Tapestry” (2). Photos by @lawrenceeliz , courtesy Houston Ballet.
📝: Nancy Wozny
#dancer #balletdancer #houstonballet
