Cats' eyes

Clay Murray - BalletX - photo by Ian Travis Barnard

BalletX is thrilled to welcome Clay Murray to their 2026-2027 Season!

Originally from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Clay began his dance training at age 12 at On Your Toes Dance Studio, where he trained in Jazz and Contemporary and competed nationally, as well as at South Mississippi Ballet Theatre.

At 16, Clay moved to Houston, Texas, to train with Claudio Muñoz and Andrew Murphy at Houston Ballet Academy, expanding his classical and contemporary movement. At 18, he joined the Professional Division at Pacific Northwest Ballet, training under Peter Boal and Kiyon Gaines.

Since then, Clay has danced with Boston Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet, and Ballet Rhode Island. His repertoire includes works by George Balanchine, Azure Barton, William Forsythe, José Limón, Trey McIntyre, Mikko Nissinen, Chanel DaSilva, Christopher Wheeldon, Yury Yanowsky, Andi Schermoly, and Helen Pickett.

A choreographer as well as a dancer, Clay has also created six world premieres for Ballet Rhode Island’s company and school.