Herci Marsden
Artistic DirectorHerci Marsden
Artistic Director
Prima Ballerina
Born in Omis, near Split, Croatia, Herci Munitic began dancing at age five with the Children’s Theater of Split, Croatia. She made her debut at thirteen with the National Theater in Split. Throughout her years of training, she has such notable mentors as Mila Katic, Ana Roje, Oskar Harmoš, and Mia Slavenska.
In 1958, Ms. Marsden immigrated to the United States to live in Lincoln, Rhode Island where she co-founded the Brae Crest School of Ballet. As Prima Ballerina, Herci Marsden made her American debut in 1960 with The State Ballet of Rhode Island – the repertory company she was instrumental in establishing.
Aurora, The Sleeping Beauty, 1974
Granddaughter
Ashley Herci Marsden
While balancing her active careers with The Brae Crest School and The State Ballet, Ms. Marsden was a leading dancer at the New YorkWorld’s Fair and Eastern States Exposition and the St. Louis Municipal Opera. She performed the leading role in Destiny at the First Performing Arts Festival with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra in 1967. She also danced in Faust, Aida, and Carmen with the Providence Opera Theater, and danced with the Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra in the production of Carmina Burana. By invitation of the Yugoslavian government, the Marsdens led the 57 members of The State Ballet of Rhode Island to tour Croatia in 1970.
In 1966, Herci & Myles Marsden introduced classical ballet at The University of Rhode Island, College of Human Science & Services, Department of Physical Education Health & Recreation. URI was the first university in Rhode Island to introduce classical ballet into its program as a credited course, and Ms. Marsden instructed there for nearly 30 years. More of Ms. Marsden’s recent accomplishments are: in the spring of 1990, Ms. Marsden was commissioned to choreograph the World Premiere Fairy Tale Ballet, Phantomgreen, written and composed by Margaret Buechner, a composer from Michigan; in April of 1991; Ms. Marsden was a panelist at URI’s ‘Women in Leadership in the 1990’s; Ms. Marsden’s biographical sketch has been written in Marquis’ Who’s Who in the East, Who’s Who in Entertainment, and Who’s Who of American Women, for individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their field of endeavor and who have contributed significantly to the betterment of contemporary society; she was awarded the 1998 Commemorative Medal in recognition of her selection as Woman of the Year for outstanding community and professional achievement from The American Biographical Institute; she was the recipient of the 2008 Encore Award from the Arts & Business Council of RI’s ‘Individual Achievement Award for the Performing Arts’; she received Motif Magazine’s ‘2010 Artistic Vision Award’ for her half-century of artistic excellence & growth of the Arts. Ms. Marsden has been an integral part of SBRI since its inception, not only as Prima Ballerina but also notably as a choreographer, and since 1976, as Artistic Director. Edwin Safford, the long-time critic for The Providence Journal, described her versatility: “As choreographer, and Artistic Director, too, she displayed an undeniable authority over the company.”
While balancing her active careers with The Brae Crest School and The State Ballet, Ms. Marsden was a leading dancer at the New YorkWorld’s Fair and Eastern States Exposition and the St. Louis Municipal Opera. She performed the leading role in Destiny at the First Performing Arts Festival with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra in 1967. She also danced in Faust, Aida, and Carmen with the Providence Opera Theater, and danced with the Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra in the production of Carmina Burana. By invitation of the Yugoslavian government, the Marsdens led the 57 members of The State Ballet of Rhode Island to tour Croatia in 1970.
In 1966, Herci & Myles Marsden introduced classical ballet at The University of Rhode Island, College of Human Science & Services, Department of Physical Education Health & Recreation. URI was the first university in Rhode Island to introduce classical ballet into its program as a credited course, and Ms. Marsden instructed there for nearly 30 years. More of Ms. Marsden’s recent accomplishments are: in the spring of 1990, Ms. Marsden was commissioned to choreograph the World Premiere Fairy Tale Ballet, Phantomgreen, written and composed by Margaret Buechner, a composer from Michigan; in April of 1991; Ms. Marsden was a panelist at URI’s ‘Women in Leadership in the 1990’s; Ms. Marsden’s biographical sketch has been written in Marquis’ Who’s Who in the East, Who’s Who in Entertainment, and Who’s Who of American Women, for individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their field of endeavor and who have contributed significantly to the betterment of contemporary society; she was awarded the 1998 Commemorative Medal in recognition of her selection as Woman of the Year for outstanding community and professional achievement from The American Biographical Institute; she was the recipient of the 2008 Encore Award from the Arts & Business Council of RI’s ‘Individual Achievement Award for the Performing Arts’; she received Motif Magazine’s ‘2010 Artistic Vision Award’ for her half-century of artistic excellence & growth of the Arts. Ms. Marsden has been an integral part of SBRI since its inception, not only as Prima Ballerina but also notably as a choreographer, and since 1976, as Artistic Director. Edwin Safford, the long-time critic for The Providence Journal, described her versatility: “As choreographer, and Artistic Director, too, she displayed an undeniable authority over the company.”
